tracked leaders in 3rd, ridden and lost place before 3 out, tailed off when pulled up before last
led, ridden and headed last, soon weakened
tracked leaders, weakened approaching 2 out
held up mid-division, weakened 3 out
held up, chased leaders in 3rd approaching 3 out, shaken up to lead after last, kept on well
tracked leader, hit 3 out, ridden to lead last, soon headed, no extra
Few of the scheduled nine starters have jumped in public before, but we'll take on trust that SPRING JIM has been well schooled over hurdles, and side with him ahead of Mister Wall Street and Astrolibra. James Fanshawe doesn't have many hurdlers, but Spring Jim has more than paid his way at a decent level on the flat over the years, and his pedigree suggests that he'll improve with age, and if taking to jumping, he could be able to see off his rivals here. Mister Wall Street won a Haydock bumper on debut back in February but was subsequently well down the field when given a more severe test at Punchestown. It's his first time over hurdles too, but support in the ring would be encouraging. The same can be said about Astrolibra who's had a decent flat career, and although Mark Tomkins doesn't send many jumping, he's got a decent strike rate with his hurdlers. It would be a minimum stakes involvement for us, but if taking to jumping, the race can go the way of Spring Jim.
Kirkie (USA) 66-1 (9-1) Slowly away, always towards rear, 11th of 13, 31l behind King of The Beers (8-10) at Southwell 1m 3f app hcp (6) fbs in Mar (flat).
Kristallo (GER) 22-1 (10-12) Took keen hold, tracked leading pair, wandered before 4th and 5th, ridden and weakened quickly approaching 2 out, 4th of 6, well behind You're The Top (11-8) at Ascot 2m nh nov hdl (3) gd in Oct.
Mister Wall Street (FR) 5-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, 9th halfway, ridden and weakened before straight, 21st of 25, well behind Imperial Cascade (10-4) at Punchestown 2m nhf sft in Apr.
Ruttan Lake (IRE) 50-1 (11-1) Held up, ridden 3rd, tailed off and pulled up before 5th, in a race won by Trafalgar Road (11-1) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nov hdl (4) sft in Mar, 8 ran.
Shannina 25-1 (10-10) Held up towards rear, kept on from over 1f out, never dangerous, 5th of 16, 22l behind Peveril (11-2) at Haydock 2m NH flat (5) gf in Apr.
Spring Jim 9-2fav (9-1) Held up, mid-division, lost place over 2f out, 8th of 15, 13l behind Hunterview (8-7) at Doncaster 1m 4f hcp 0-95 (3) gs in Oct (flat).
Astrolibra 5-2fav (9-4) Slowly into stride, never travelling in rear, some headway and just about in touch over 6f out, ridden and no chance final 3f, 5th of 9, 12l behind Ibrox (9-8) at Southwell 1m 3f hcp 0-70 (5) fbs in Oct (flat).
Mamba (GER) 14-1 (9-12) Close up, led 5th, headed approaching last, no extra, 4th of 12, 17l behind I'm Delilah (10-7) at Hexham 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in May.
Triumphant Welcome 33-1 (9-2) Slowly into stride, pushed along and struggling halfway, always in rear, last of 11, 10l behind The History Man (9-1) at Bath 6f hcp 0-58 (6) gd in Oct (flat).
