tracked leader, led after 4th, in command from 2 out, comfortably
held up, headway approaching 3 out, ridden and 3 lengths 2nd, when blundered 2 out, no further impression
led until after 4th, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
in touch, hit 2nd, ridden after 5th, soon weakened
held up, headway and effort 3 out, soon one pace
held up, headway approaching 5th, ridden after 3 out, soon one pace
chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, soon one pace
tracked leaders, ridden after 3 out, kept on same pace
An interesting affair in which Bagan, Ameeq and Blaeberry are the three for consideration and we side with Ameeq. The selection ran a solid race in the Swinton Hurdle and if able to reproduce that run here, he has to be the one to beat. Bagan returns after a long absence. A middle distance performer on the level for Henry Cecil, he put up some decent efforts for Charlie Mann in novice company and is watched in the market. Blaeberry has gone up 13lbs for her recent victory over course-and-distance and it remains to be seen as to how harsh this assessment has been. Helen Wood has had a break but had been in scintillating form earlier in the year. Lilac confirmed herself in good heart with a victory at Fakenham but will be racing from out of the handicap. Take A Mile has it to prove after a couple of disappointments. Ameeq sets the standard on Swinton Hurdle form and would have every chance in the event of a true run race.
Blaeberry 7-2jt-fav (11-7) Held up, ridden and headway after 3 out, switched right approaching next, led approaching last, ran on well, won at N Abbot 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs beating Templer (11-4) by 8l, 10 ran.
Ameeq (USA) 16-1 (10-0) In rear, ridden and headway approaching 2 out, stayed on strongly flat, nearest finish, 5th of 23, 3l behind Leslingtaylor (9-11) at Haydock 2m hcp hdl Grd 3 (1) gd.
Take A Mile (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) Always towards rear, 8th of 10, well behind Blaeberry (11-7) at N Abbot 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs.
L'oudon (FR) 4-5fav (11-10) Held up in touch, hampered 3rd, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, chased winner last, no impression, 2nd of 18, 7l behind Lunar Crystal (11-0) at Ludlow 2m clm hdl (5) gd in Mar.
Hill Forts Timmy 8-1 (11-7) Held up, headway approaching 6, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out, no chance when pulled up in race won by Gabier (11-3) at Hereford 2m 3f nov hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gf in Apr, 7 ran.
Helen Wood 12-1 (10-7) Chased leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, every chance last, one pace, 2nd of 7, 2 1/2l behind River Alder (11-7) at Ayr 2m mrs hcp hdl (2) gf in Apr.
Lilac 3-1 (11-6) Prominent, chased leader 4th, joined leader 3 out, led 2 out, ran on, won at Fakenham 2m 4f mrs hcp hdl (4) gf beating Inherent (11-12) by 8l, 8 ran.
Bagan (FR) 14-1 (11-12) Towards rear, progress into 5th approaching 2 out, moderate 4th before last, soon no extra, 5th of 11, 12l behind Asian Maze (11-7) at Punchestown 2m 4f nov hdl Grd 1 sft in Apr '05.
