with leaders and raced wide, weakened 9th
held up towards, headway after 9th, no impression from 3 out
held up towards rear, headway 7th, no impression from 2 out
tracked leaders, ridden to lead last, stayed on well, driven out
tracked leaders, challenged 2 out, weakened approaching last
held up towards rear, chased leaders 8th, no impression from 2 out
close up, pushed along after 7th, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, tracked leaders approaching 6th, weakened 9th, pulled up before 2 out
prominent until lost place from 6th, pulled up before 2 out
led, hit 8th, ridden and headed last, one pace
in rear, never dangerous
Talenti is the top rated here of those to have an official hurdles' mark, but we'll side with THE BIG ORSE, and completing our shortlist is Piper Royal. Pat Phelan's charge ran well for most of the race last time out, and the jockey losing his whip didn't help, but he still got second place, his second runners up spot in novice events. He's disappointed in handicap company, but at this level, especially with six pounds in hand, and good ground, to boot, he could break his duck over hurdles. Talenti won last time out on debut for his new trainer, after previously being with Emma Lavelle. A first time tongue strap helped, and that's utilised again, but he's giving weight away all round, and he's not exactly been consistent. Azulada Bay is the only other runner to have an official rating, but two thirds from eight runs don't inspire much confidence. Any Nicky Henderson runner has to be respected, and Piper Royal has the champion jockey on board for his first hurdles outing, more than a year after his first bumper race. Well related, he'll have been well-schooled, and market support would be encouraging. However, preference is for The Big Orse.
Talenti (IRE) 16-1 (11-2) Always prominent, jumped big and hit 2nd with hind legs, led approaching 2 out, soon ridden, ran on well, won at Huntingdon 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gs beating Ackertac (11-2) by 5l, 14 ran.
Aerospace 50-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, weakened 3f out, 6th of 7, 20l behind Kings Grey (11-0) at Huntingdon 2m NH flat (6) sft in Jan.
Azulada Bay (IRE) 11-1 (10-11) Held up mid-division, chased leaders on outer 5th, weakened from last, 6th of 14, 19l behind Cool Mission (11-2) at Doncaster 2m 3f NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (4) gs in Feb.
Hoback Junction (IRE) 10-1 (11-1) Tracked leader, led 3rd, joined and pressed 2 out, headed between last 2, no extra and readily held flat, 2nd of 9, 3 1/2l behind Action Impact (11-1) at Plumpton 2m mdn hdl (5) hvy.
Kiribati King (IRE) 12-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, pushed along before 3 out, went 2nd after next, no chance with winner, 2nd of 9, 5l behind Moorlands Teri (11-2) at Exeter 2m 7f nh nov hdl (4) gs.
M'Lord Bishop (IRE) 33-1 (11-5) Tracked leader, lost place after 8th, weakened 3 out, 5th of 7, 36l behind Grands Crus (11-5) at Plumpton 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Notmorebrandy (IRE) 14-1 (10-12) Led until after 8th, weakened after next, took modest 3rd near finish, 3rd of 9, 26l behind Elevenses (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gd.
Piper Royal 9-1 (10-11) Held up mid-division, headway 4f out, onepace from over 1f out, 5th of 14, 14l behind Red Harbour (11-0) at Ascot 2m NH flat (4) gd in Nov '08.
Rahy's Crown (USA) 100-1 (10-9) Always behind, tailed off when pulled up 4 out, in a race won by Ravenclaw (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 6f nov hdl (4) hvy in Feb, 10 ran.
The Big Orse 9-2 (10-12) Tracked leader until 6th, stayed challenging, not fluent 2 out, edged right and came close to winner when jockey had whip knocked out of his hand flat, led and edged right towards finish, headed post, 2nd of 9, ns behind Bai Zhu (10-12) at Newbury 2m 5f NH Novice Hurdle (5yo+) (4) gs.
Arctic Flow 50-1 (10-8) Always towards rear, lost touch approaching 7th, pulled up before 8th, in a race won by Thedeboftheyear (10-5) at Exeter 2m 7f nov hdl (4) gd in Apr, 9 ran.
