held up in touch, headway when mistake 3 out, outpaced from next, no impression
tracked leaders, ridden, weakened quickly 2 out, soon beaten
led, ridden, headed when not fluent last, one pace flat
always prominent, driven to lead last, hung right under pressure flat, ridden out
behind, ridden, outpaced after 4 out, no impression when not fluent 2 out
behind, weakened 4 out
prominent, lost place 5th, weakened 3 out, behind when pulled up before last
behind, blundered 2nd, weakened 4 out, pulled up before 2 out
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
ERADICATE can get the better of Mhilu and Frontier Dancer in this competitive opener. The selection has been difficult to predict over hurdles so far, but he wasn't beaten far last time when chasing home Stage Acclaim at Lingfield last month. He has trip and ground to suit today and we are prepared to give him another chance to regain the winning thread. Mhilu disappointed in Ireland last time, but he needs fast ground to be seen at his best and as he gets that today he could be capable of a big run. Frontier Dancer was outclassed at Aintree last time but he will find this level much more suitable and he remains relatively unexposed. Howard Johnson's Drever Route could prove best of the others as he clearly has ability, but he failed to show it last time when he finished well beaten and he is one to have reservations about at present. Eradicate is not the most reliable but he can come on top here.
Mhilu (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Towards rear, some headway in moderate 8th 2 out, kept on one pace, 6th of 12, 20l behind Dundrum (11-8) at Gowran Park 2m nh nov hdl gd.
Drever Route (IRE) 8-1 (11-8) Soon tracking leaders, keen, every chance approaching 3 out, weakened quickly approaching 2 out, 4th of 6, 22l behind Ernst Blofeld (11-8) at Ayr 2m 4f nov hdl (4) sft in Mar.
Eradicate (IRE) 4-6fav (11-7) In touch, switched right to chase winner 2 out, every chance and no extra towards finish, 2nd of 14, 1 1/2l behind Stage Acclaim (10-4) at Lingfield 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Frontier Dancer (IRE) 25-1 (10-10) Mid-division, not fluent 1st, headway after 8th, weakening when mistake 3 out, 15th of 22, well behind Sunnyhillboy (11-0) at Aintree 2m 4f Listed hcp hdl (1) gd.
Authentic Act (IRE) 125-1 (11-0) Mid-division, ridden 4 out, soon beaten, 11th of 16, well behind Touch of Irish (11-0) at Kelso 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Howards Dream (IRE) 200-1 (11-0) Held up in touch, outpaced from 4th, 4th of 5, 18l behind Woody Waller (11-0) at Ayr 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Mar.
Steel Man (IRE) 125-1 (10-0) Tracked leaders until weakened quickly approaching 2 out, pulled up before last, in a race won by Description (11-4) at Kelso 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Mar, 11 ran.
The Dunion 40-1 (10-8) Always behind, weakened from 4 out, 5th of 6, well behind Terenzium (11-7) at Wetherby 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Actabou 200-1 (10-12) Always behind, tailed off 3 out, 10th of 11, well behind Elk Trail (10-12) at Catterick 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Art Bank 40-1 (10-13) Mid-division, ridden 3 out, soon beaten, 6th of 11, well behind Doeslessthanme (11-13) at Kelso 2m 2f nh nov hdl (4) gd.
Casual Affair 2-1fav (11-0) Led, hit last, soon ridden, kept on until headed final 75 yards, 3rd of 14, 1 1/2l behind First Stream (11-0) at Kelso 2m 2f mdn hdl (5) gd in Mar.
