in touch, driven 8th, chased leaders 3 out, weakened 2 out
tracked leaders, led 3 out, ridden when headed and stumbled 2 out, mistake last, kept on gamely to lead close home
mid-division, lost place 8th
never dangerous
mid-division, headed 3 out, soon beaten
held up, headway 8th, led 2 out, hard ridden, out battled and headed close home
held up, brief effort approaching 4 out
tracked leaders, hampered on bend after 8th, soon weakened
tracked leader, ridden 9th, weakened next
always in rear, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
in rear, jumped right 1st, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
Nonrunner
An intriguing novice hurdle with lots of untapped potential lining up. FINNEY has the stamp of a horse that will come into his own when provided with a staying trip. Third last time on what was his hurdling debut over two miles, he lacked the necessary change of gear to go with the front two but considering it was his first outing of the season and looking as if he would come on for the run, he should go much closer today. Its Tough belied his weakness in the market to run out a comfortable winner at Perth six weeks ago. He was off the bridle a long way from home but stayed on well in the closing stages, even idling late on suggesting he had more in the locker. Duel bumper winner Alderluck makes his hurdling debut. He looked a shell of a horse last season and with a summer under his belt he could be a danger to all. His bumper form looks particularly strong given the fact that Vodka Brook who he beat on his final start last season, has close form ties with Divali Princess who was last seen finishing runner-up in the mares bumper at Aintree. Ballymorn hails from the Wilson Dennison academy of Irish point-to-pointers where Henrietta Knight purchases so many of her Irish stock nowadays. He was an easy winner on his sole start between the flags but can be expected to improve for today's experience, like so many from this yard. Ballycarney is another Irish pointer who's form has worked out with the second from his final start winning impressively since. Lots should be learned from this novice hurdle and Finney is taken to score.
Its Tough (IRE) 5-2fav (11-0) Held up on inside, headway 4 out, ridden to challenge last, stayed on to lead flat, won at Perth 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gs in Sept beating Diamond Frontier (11-0) by 1l, 11 ran.
Alderluck (IRE) 7-2 (11-2) Tracked leaders, led and hard ridden 2f out, narrowly headed inside final furlong, rallied to lead near finish, won at Fontwell 2m 2f nhf (6) gs in Mar beating Vodka Brook (11-2) by a nk, 7 ran.
Ballycarney (IRE) Classic Cliche gelding out of Rhythm Hill.
Ballymorn (IRE) (11-7) Prominent, led 2 out, ran on strongly, won at Loughanmore 3m ire ptp sft in Mar beating Burton Port (11-7) by 2l, 9 ran.
Buffalo Bob (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Chased winner, prominent until weakened 3 out, 5th of 9, 22l behind Planet of Sound (11-6) at Newbury 2m nh nov hdl (3) gs in Apr.
Finney 4-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 3rd of 15, 20l behind Diamond Harry (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Oct.
Gunner Rose 66-1 (11-2) Soon in touch, not fluent 6th, ridden and weakened before next, 12th of 14, well behind Tamadot (11-2) at Warwick 2m 5f mdn hdl (4) hvy in Mar.
Kokoschka (IRE) 9-1 (10-12) In touch, weakened approaching 3 out, 7th of 18, 46l behind Rood Report (11-5) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gd.
Pavarottis Brother (IRE) 25-1 (10-7) Chased leaders, mistake and lost 3rd at 8th, one pace and no impression from 3 out, 4th of 7, 24l behind Tullamore Dew (10-12) at Plumpton 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gf in Oct.
Pete The Feat (IRE) 25-1 (10-9) Disputed lead, led halfway, ridden over 5f out, soon headed and beaten, 7th of 8, 37l behind Little Al (11-4) at Folkestone 2m 1f nhf (5) gs in Feb.
Silberhorn Express 50-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened over 3f out, soon tailed off, 14th of 15, 45l behind Duke of Burgundy (11-2) at Ludlow 2m mdn nhf (5) gd.
Indian Doctor 100-1 (11-2) Always towards rear, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Rodrigo Gonzales (12-0) at Kempton 2m 5f nov hdl (4) gd in Mar, 8 ran.
Quiditch D'ouxy (FR) (10-3) 9th of 12, 32l behind Quartel (10-3) at Auteuil 2m 2f 4yo hdl in Mar.
