held up in rear, headway before 4 out, chased leaders next, weakened before 2 out
chased leaders, under pressure before 2 out, stayed on same pace from 2 out
held up in rear, headway 4th, chased leaders next, effort when mistake 3 out, soon weakened, behind when fell next
chased leaders, progress to go 2nd at 3rd, led after 3 out, ran on well, eased near finish
led, soon 7 lengths clear, headed after 3 out, kept on under pressure, no chance with winner
tracked leader, hard ridden 3 out, soon lost place
midfield, headway to chase leaders 4 out, mistake next, stayed on same pace
It was only a matter of time before Springinherstep got back to winning ways and she duly obliged at Stratford on Saturday. A 7lb penalty is not insurmountable but there could be better alternatives in this. Pure Style has gone up a further 2lb since finishing second at Fontwell but should be thereabouts again while the versatile Houston Dynimo has discovered a new lease of life since joining the Pipe team and was only beaten a neck on his last start over hurdles. Get Home Now was well beaten at Aintree on Saturday but this looks a lot less competitive. The four-year-old MAHICAN (NAP) was up against race-fit and useful opponents when fourth of five on his reappearance at Warwick. He ran well for a long way and, sure to strip fitter here, can now open his seasonal account.
Springinherstep (IRE) 5-2fav (11-10) Held up in last pair, headway and in touch 3rd, led 2 out (usual 3 out), drew well clear on bit before last, very easily, won at Stratford 2m Mares Handicap Hurdle (0-130) (3yo+) (3) gd beating Madame De Guise (10-13) by 13l, 8 ran.
Sporting Boy (IRE) 16-1 (11-11) Led until 6th, lost place approaching 2 out, 8th of 9, 38l behind Castlemorris King (11-10) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in May.
Solaras Exhibition (IRE) 18-1 (10-5) Mid-division, ridden 2 out, never on terms, weakening when mistake last, 11th of 17, 26l behind Exitas (9-11) at Market Rasen 2m 1f Listed hcp hdl (1) gd in Sep.
Pure Style (IRE) 6-4fav (11-6) Tracked leader, led before 2 out, soon pressed, headed last, kept on towards finish, 2nd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Lightentertainment (10-2) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd.
Houston Dynimo (IRE) 12-1 (11-7) Held up in rear, ridden after 5 out, headway before 4 out, one pace and no impression from 3 out, 5th of 10, 10l behind Court By Surprise (11-11) at Exeter 3m hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs.
Get Home Now 7-1 (10-8) Gifted advantage start and clear until before 2nd, not fluent and headed 3 out, lost place before last, 7th of 10, 13l behind Spirit Of Shankly (11-9) at Aintree 2m 4f (3) gd.
Mahican (IRE) 9-2 (11-4) Prominent, not fluent 5th, led 3 out, headed before next, no extra flat, 4th of 5, 11l behind Laser Blazer (11-9) at Warwick 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd.
Tinker Time (IRE) 4-1fav (10-13) Prominent, led 7th, hard pressed from 3 out, headed flat, stayed on, 3rd of 11, 1l behind Dragon's Den (10-4) at Exeter 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in May.
Skint 25-1 (11-8) Always towards rear, weakened before 4 out, 7th of 10, 50l behind Hollow Penny (11-7) at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd.
Bedouin Bay 16-1 (11-4) Held up in last pair in touch, driven before 3 out, chased leaders on outside before next, weakened last, 6th of 8, 19l behind Bathwick Man (11-11) at Newton Abbot 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Sep.
