with winner to 3 out, well beaten from 2 out
held up, behind from 11th
held up in touch, mistake 7th, not fluent 10th, weakened 3 out
made all, jumped slightly right 2 out, soon clear and reminder, unchallenged
held up and behind, some progress 11th, weakened approaching 4 out, tailed off
WESTERN RYDER is the best of these over hurdles and clear of the rest on today’s terms. Warren Greatrex’ charge has placed in Graded races over timber and should have the measure of Windsor Avenue over fences. The latter was also placed in a Grade 2 novice hurdle at Kelso back in March while Phoenician Star has undergone wind surgery since winning a juvenile hurdle at Stratford in the same month. Thelongwayaround won a maiden hurdle here in April but both he and Knockoura will need major improvement over fences to match today’s opposition.
Knockoura (IRE) 4-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, ridden and went 2nd after 2 out, no chance with winner when mistake last, 2nd of 6, 10l behind Floki (10-12) at Kelso 2m 5f mdn (4) gd in May.
Thelongwayaround (IRE) 4-1 (11-0) Chased leader, led 7th, clear after 2 out, stayed on well, won at Sedgefield 2m 4f mdn (5) gd in Apr beating Molly Whuppie (10-7) by 13l, 9 ran.
Western Ryder (IRE) 20-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders on inside, slow 3 out, ridden after 2 out, weakened before last, 15th of 24, 14 1/4l behind Ch'tibello (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp (1) gs in Mar.
Windsor Avenue (IRE) 4-1 (11-1) 2nd or 3rd until outpaced from 2 out, stayed on flat, went 2nd close home, no impression on winner, 2nd of 6, 4l behind Rouge Vif (11-1) at Kelso 2m 2f (1) gs in Mar.
Phoenician Star (IRE) 14-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway chasing leaders approaching 4 out, went 2nd 2 out, shaken up to lead approaching last, soon clear, won at Stratford 2m 3f (3) gd in Mar beating Lever Du Soleil (11-4) by 4 1/2l, 12 ran.
