took keen hold, tracked winner, fell 8th
made all, mistake 6th, left well clear 8th, not fluent 2 out
chased leaders, front pair clear from 6th, weakened 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
keen early, tracked leaders, front pair clear from 6th, left chasing winner 8th, no impression, lost 2nd after 3 out
in rear, jumped right and mistakes, went poor 4th after 3 out
jumped poorly, always behind, pulled up after 8th
held up in 5th, went 3rd 9th, went 2nd after 3 out, no chance with winner
BLACK JACK BLUES easily sets the standard in this Novice Hurdle and will take all the beating leaving Putney Bridge and Mayor Of Kilcock fighting for minor prizes. Rated at a very useful looking 137 and only just beaten in listed company last time at Aintree the selection really has everything in his favour here. Before that reverse at Liverpool he was chalked up back-to-back scores and he'll only have to run near that level to win here. Putney Bridge has plenty to do at the weights but did score on his only previous start at this venue. He is open to improvement, however, his last win was in a selling event so he has much to prove against his main rival. Mayor Of Kilcock is also up against it due to the framing of this event but should be in the mix for minor cash and with nothing else making any appeal this should be straightforward for Black Jack Blues.
Black Jack Blues (IRE) 14-1 (10-8) Tracked leader, led after 2nd, ridden when blundered 2 out, headed last, stayed on flat, 2nd of 22, 3/4l behind Sir Harry Ormesher (11-1) at Aintree 2m 4f listed hcp hdl (1) gd.
Putney Bridge 7-1 (11-1) Led to 4 out, weakened next, 6th of 12, 24l behind Blazing Buck (10-4) at Ffos Las 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Mar.
Crystal Knight 20-1 (12-0) (tt) last when fell 9, in a race won by Smugglers' Run (12-3) at Whitfield 3m ptp gs in Feb, 14 ran.
Roman Landing 125-1 (11-1) Tracked leader, weakened halfway, 10th of 12, well behind Habbie Simpson (11-4) at Southwell 2m NH flat (6) sft in Feb.
Royal Role 66-1 (11-1) Held up in rear, hampered 6th, weakened next, left remote 3rd 2 out, 3rd of 7, 45l behind Stratigic Gale (11-1) at Stratford 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Mar.
Tram Express (FR) 66-1 (10-11) Led, soon clear, reduced advantage 7f out, headed over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 11, 13l behind Big Time Billy (9-11) at Ludlow 2m NH flat (5) gs in Mar.
Watoscar (IRE) 100-1 (10-7) Mid-division, struggling before 4 out, tailed off, 8th of 17, well behind Shoegazer (11-0) at Kempton 2m 5f mdn hdl (4) gd.
Mayor Of Kilcock 20-1 (10-9) Led, clear after 3 out, reduced lead before next, soon ridden, headed between last 2, no chance with winner, 2nd of 13, 5l behind City Heights (10-10) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs.
