held up towards rear, no chance when not fluent 6th, tailed off and pulled up just before 2 out
mistake 3 out, always towards rear
mid-division, mistake 6th, weakened 3 out
took keen hold, in rear, mistake 1st and 2nd, no chance from 6th
raced keenly, held up towards rear, not fluent 5th, shaken up when not fluent 3 out, never dangerous
mid-division, not fluent 4th, some headway after 6th, soon weakened
led, not fluent 6th, soon headed, weakening when mistake 2 out
chased leaders, not fluent 2nd, went 2nd after 5th, led after next, drew clear from 2 out
pulled hard, in touch, hit 2 out, went 2nd last, no chace with winner
not fluent 2nd, always towards rear
pulled hard, mid-division, headway after 5th, hit 3 out, soon chasing winner, no impression 2 out, lost 2nd last
held up towards rear, mistake 2nd, mistake 3 out, always behind
chased leaders, edged left and weakened approaching 2 out
mid-division, headway after 5th, weakened approaching 2 out
As he stayed 1m4f on the flat, it was likely that NORDWIND would appreciate the 2m5f trip on his hurdling debut at Leicester but he seemed not to stay and he looks worth backing dropped back in distance by Evan Williams today, getting the verdict ahead of March Mate and Knock Em Dead. The last mentioned has been well held in both starts so far but Jonjo O'Neill has his team in good form so he cannot be discounted. Kingsben was a bumper winner at Catterick and could be of interest on his hurdling debut, while point-to-point winner Micheal Flips may be best watched on his rules debut. Gary Moore's Right Stuff was capable on the level and showed enough on his hurdling debut to warrant respect here along with March Mate but it is Nordwind that gets the vote.
Beware The Digger 40-1 (10-5) Held up mid-division, weakened from 5th, 7th of 9, well behind Zed Candy (10-9) at Uttoxeter 2m nov hdl (3) sft.
Bold Shuffle (IRE) 66-1 (10-4) Pulled hard, held up, ridden 3 out, never dangerous, 12th of 15, 20l behind Riverside Theatre (10-7) at Kempton 2m nhf (4) gd in Feb.
Boo 9-1 (8-9) Took keen hold, tracked leaders, ridden 4f out, weakened over 2f out, last of 8, 26l behind Muhannak (9-9) at Chester 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Jun (Flat).
Chicken George (IRE) 18-1 (9-7) Mid-division, ridden over 1f out, no impression final furlong, 6th of 15, 14l behind Princess Flame (9-4) at Pontefract 1m 2f app hcp (5) gs in Sept (Flat).
Diva's Brother (IRE) 66-1 (11-0) In rear, weakened from 6th, 9th of 12, well behind Heezazari (11-0) at Bangor 2m 1f nh mdn hdl (4) gd in May.
Kingsben 16-1 (11-7) In touch, ridden 5f out, soon beaten, 6th of 8, well behind Frascati Park (11-2) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nhf (6) gd in Sept.
Knock Em Dead (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) Held up, weakened from 3 out, 11th of 13, 44l behind What A Buzz (10-12) at Bangor 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd.
Laish Ya Hajar (IRE) 9-1 (11-1) Made all, clear 6f out, saddled started to slip 3f out, ridden 2f out, hung left final furlong, won at Newmarket 1m 2f amt hcp 0-80 (5) gf in Jul beating Bavarica (10-13) by 2l, 11 ran (Flat).
Micheal Flips (IRE) (12-0) won at Lismore 3m ire ptp gs in Mar beating King's Forest (12-0) by 3l, 13 ran.
Nordwind (IRE) 7-2 (11-0) Mid-division, headway to chase winner soon after 4 out, ridden next, weakened and hit 2 out, 3rd of 7, 25l behind Nom de Guerre (11-0) at Leicester 2m 4f nov hdl (3) gf in Dec.
Nur Tau (IRE) 11-4 (11-0) Took keen hold, wandered at several flights, chased leaders, left 2nd at 3rd, led next, headed 6th, chased winner until blundered and weakened next, 7th of 12, 33l behind Bergo (11-0) at Plumpton 2m mdn hdl (5) gf.
Right Stuff (FR) 14-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, pulled hard, headway halfway, chased leaders approaching 2 out, every chance approaching last, one pace final furlong, 2nd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Shore Thing (11-8) at Towcester 2m mdn hdl (3) gd.
Santarctique (FR) 15-8fav (10-12) Held up, headway 6f out, weakened over 2f out, 4th of 14, 18l behind Magellan Straits (10-2) at Uttoxeter 2m nhf (6) gd in Jun.
Topjeu (IRE) 8-1 (10-5) In touch, ridden and weakened 4 out, 8th of 15, 30l behind Tchico Polos (10-12) at Chepstow 2m nov hdl (4) gd.
Venir Rouge 12-1 (9-1) Prominent, lost place over 3f out, soon behind, 12th of 16, 17l behind Spirit of Adjisa (8-11) at Bath 1m 4f hcp 0-80 (4) gs (Flat).
March Mate 16-1 (11-0) In touch, headway 4 out, one pace from 2 out, 4th of 17, 10l behind Night Force (11-0) at Wetherby 2m mdn hdl (5) frm.
