held up, never near leaders
held up towards rear, headway after 6th, went 2nd before 3 out, challenged 2 out, led approaching last, ridden flat, ran on well
led, ridden and headed approaching last, no extra flat
in touch, raced keenly, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
in rear, not fluent 3rd, soon driven along, lost touch after 6th, tailed off
prominent, hit 2nd, chased leader when not fluent 5th, lost 2nd before 3 out, beaten before 2 out
chased leader until approaching 5th, ridden after next, weakened before 3 out
The top three in the weights are among just a handful here to have won over hurdles before, but we're going to side with the unexposed BET NOIR, in preference to Capo Di Capi and North Walk. Only placed once in a dozen runs on the flat, Tony Carroll's filly ran a respectable second on hurdling debut last month in similar conditions at this level. She'll have learned from that, and having the least to carry here will be a big help. Capo Di Capi was pulled up when racing last time for the first time in more than a year. He may need another run or two to get fully revved up, but first time cheekpieces can help, and he looks the pick of Evan Williams' pair here. His other runner is Pistol Hill, who's yet to complete any of his races to date. Capo Di Capi shares joint top weight status with North Walk, who was pulled up after making a mistake at the first last week. On his day he's good enough to win this, but as with so many here, there's little positive consistency, hence why they're running at this level. Bailey France never got involved on her first run for Tim Vaughan last time out, but given his record of bringing about an upturn in fortunes, any support should be noted. Bet Noir only cost 800 guineas back in December, but can repay that with interest by taking this lowly opener.
Capo Di Capi (IRE) 11-2 (11-0) Made most until after 3 out, weakening in 3rd when mistake 2 out, 4th when pulled up before last, in a race won by Donaldson (11-0) at Towcester 2m 3f beg chase (4) gd in Apr, 6 ran.
North Walk (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) Blundered badly 1st, nearly unseated rider, pulled up before next, in a race won by Treaty Flyer (10-12) at Fakenham 2m sell hdl (5) gf, 12 ran.
Sergheyev 11-8 (11-4) Made most, headed approaching 2 out, soon ridden and weakened, 6th of 8, well behind Noticeable (11-12) at Doncaster 2m clm hdl (5) gd in Feb.
Epidaurian King (IRE) 40-1 (10-12) Mid-division, pushed along 5th, weakened before 3 out, 5th of 12, 22l behind Treaty Flyer (10-12) at Fakenham 2m sell hdl (5) gf.
Judgement of Error (IRE) 4-1 (12-0) Pr early, wknd aftr 1/2 way, twrds rr 4out, pu 3out, in a race won by Strong Euro (12-0) at Maralin 3m ire ptp, 15 ran.
Bailey France 8-1 (11-1) Always behind, 12th of 16, 40l behind For A Dancer (10-10) at Uttoxeter 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd.
Star Berry 66-1 (10-5) Led 1st, ridden and headed after 6th, soon weakened, mistake 3 out, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Petrosian (11-0) at Ludlow 2m sll hdl (4-8yo) (4) gd in Apr, 8 ran.
Pistol Hill 50-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, raced keenly, not fluent 3rd or 4th, mistake 5th, staying on same pace in 6th when fell 2 out, in a race won by Street Warrior (10-5) at Bangor 2m 1f nov sell hdl (5) gf in Apr, 11 ran.
Bet Noir (IRE) 10-1 (9-7) In touch, hung left throughout, ridden after 3 out, went 2nd next, hit 2 out and last, kept on same pace, 2nd of 8, 6l behind Boogie Dancer (10-0) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f sell hdl (5) gf in Apr.
