keen early, soon close up, one pace in 4th and ridden when stumbled bend after 3 out, weakened next
held up in last trio, headway 5th, stayed on approaching last, keeping on when not much room flat, one pace
led hit 5th, narrowly headed after 3 out, stayed challenging until no extra last
in touch until slow jump and rear from 4th, struggling and no chance after, tailed off
chased leaders until not fluent and outpaced 3 out, rallied before 2 out, stayed on under pressure to lead flat, driven out
chased leader, challenged 3 out, led narrowly soon after, kept advantage until headed and not quicken flat
keen, in touch, headway to 3rd after 3 out, ever chance last, stayed on same pace flat
held up in last pair, headway approaching last, kept on flat, not pace to threaten
After winning two of his last three starts STAGECOACH PEARL is taken to make it three from four by landing this handicap hurdle ahead of Samizdat and Overrule. The pick hasn't been seen since showing a nice mind-set to land a contest at Doncaster back in December. It looks as though connections have been waiting for firmer ground and with a win at this track already he can go in off top weight. Samizdat was unlucky not to land a hat-trick last time when his amateur pilot may have let the side down. That was over course and distance and although this looks a tougher mission he should be in the mix. Overrule looks interesting after his easy win last summer and looked in need of his run last time so if right after that he should go close while Cool Operator improved for a return to hurdles on his last start and may build on it. Another tight contest but Stagecoach Pearl is on form and can take it.
Stagecoach Pearl 12-1 (11-5) Held up, headway to lead 3 out, driven out, won at Doncaster 2m nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Dec beating Troubletimestwo (9-13) by 1 1/4l, 18 ran.
Overrule (USA) 15-2 (10-6) Held up behind, always behind, last of 13, well behind Ashkazar (11-12) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gd.
Bijou Dan 9-1 (10-10) In touch, pushed along approaching 3 out, outpaced from 2 out, 5th of 11, 22l behind Echo Point (11-12) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Nov.
Cool Operator 33-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 6th, led approaching 2 out, headed approaching last, no chance with winner, 3rd of 11, 21l behind Federstar (10-9) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Mar.
Calculaite 11-4 (11-12) Held up in rear, outpaced 6th, left a remote 2nd 4 out, 2nd of 5, 29l behind Duke of Malfi (10-8) at Ayr 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Mar.
Breaking Storm (IRE) 12-1 (10-6) In touch, effort 3 out, ridden and one pace approaching last, 4th of 13, 5l behind Tension Point (10-4) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Nov '08.
Samizdat (FR) 9-2 (11-12) Tracked leader to 5th, chased leaders, chased winner after last, kept on towards finish, 2nd of 11, 1 1/4l behind Prioryjo (11-5) at Sedgefield 2m 1f am nov sll hdl (5) gf.
Crosby Jemma 14-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, took keen hold, ridden after 2 out, weakened approaching last, 6th of 11, 26l behind Heavenly Chorus (11-3) at Hexham 2m mrs hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs.
Longdale 9-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, chased leaders 3 out, soon ridden, weakened last, 4th of 12, 16l behind Teviot Lass (10-2) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Oct.
