tracked leaders, chased winner 3 out until before 2 out, one pace
held up, headway from 3 out, stayed on same pace from 2 out, not trouble leaders
jumped right, led to 7th, weakened after 3 out, hit 2 out,
in touch, close up in 2nd when hampered 2 out, no impression from last
held up, ridden and behind approaching 7th
always prominent, went 2nd 3rd, led 7th, jumped right and mistake 2 out, went right again last, edged right flat, ran on
mid-division, jumped big and right 1st, weakened 2 out, awkward on landing last, lost action and pulled up near finish
with leader to 3rd, in touch, hung left and weakened after 3 out
held up, pushed along 3 out, headway approaching 2 out, never nearer
always behind
mistake 5th, ridden and no headway approaching 3 out
A trappy novices hurdle here and as usual in these events the market will be very informative but the principals look to be Atouchbetweenacara, Val du Ciron and Berings Express and the vote is given to Val du Ciron. The selection won a fair bumper in good style on his only start to date when defeating Nakama, is sure to have been well schooled for this his hurdling debut and he looks a value bet in an open affair. Berings Express rates the main danger as he is another bumper winner and he was thought good enough to take his chance in the championship at Cheltenham. He is another that is sure to have been well schooled and he should be watched in the market. Atouchbetweenacara showed promise over hurdles last season and is another with place claims but the suspicion is he will be seen to better effect over a longer trip. Baseball Ted is a well bred sort by Beneficial and is another worth a cautionary look in the market. Of the others Crouch End Flyer is from a yard that is already amongst the winners this season but the suspicion is he will be seen to better effect in handicaps and with this in mind for the winner we return to Val du Ciron.
Atouchbetweenacara (IRE) 6-1 (11-1) Took keen hold, led, headed after 3 out, weakening when mistake 2 out, 6th of 14, 18l behind National Trust (11-1) at Stratford 2m 3f mdn hdl (4) gs in Mar.
Baseball Ted (IRE) Beneficial gelding, half-brother to winning hurdler/bumper Supreme Beauty and hurdler Elite Governor.
Bennynthejets (IRE) 9-1 (10-10) Pulled hard, led after 2f, ridden and headed over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 3rd of 12, 4 1/2l behind Brook No Argument (10-10) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nhf (6) gs in Mar.
Berings Express (FR) 16-1 (10-11) Held up, hung right and ran wide on bend 5f out, no headway, 18th of 24, 23l behind Cork All Star (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m nhf Grd 1 (1) gs in Mar.
Elsie's Pride (IRE) 33-1 (11-4) Ridden after 5th, always behind, tailed off, 10th of 14, well behind National Trust (11-1) at Stratford 2m 3f mdn hdl (4) gs in Mar.
Kempley Green (IRE) 10-1 (10-0) Mid-division, headway 4 out, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, hung right approaching last, no extra, 2nd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Sabre Hongrois (10-7) at Hereford 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gf in Apr.
Onyorgard (IRE) 10-1 (11-1) Mid-division, headway halfway, ridden 4f out, one pace, 6th of 15, 10l behind Covert Mission (10-0) at N Abbot 2m 1f nhf (6) gf in Apr.
Val du Ciron (FR) 4-5fav (10-11) Held up, headway soon after halfway, led over 2f out, pushed out, won at Ludlow 2m nhf (5) gd in Mar beating Nakoma (10-6) by 11l, 8 ran.
Willing Weasel (IRE) 100-1 (11-4) In touch, lost place 2nd, behind when mistake 6th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by National Trust (11-1) at Stratford 2m 3f mdn hdl (4) gs in Mar, 14 ran.
Crouch End Flyer 22-1 (10-13) Chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 14, 48l behind Eden Linty (11-2) at Taunton 2m 3f mrs mdn hdl (4) sft in Mar.
Supreme Gem (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Held up, headway 3 out, soon ridden and one pace, 3rd of 8, 15l behind Picacho (11-7) at Hereford 2m 4f mrs nov hdl (4) gf in May.
Generous Star 9-2 (11-0) In touch and keen, ridden and close up over 2f out, edged left under pressure and kept on, 2nd of 12, 4l behind Outlandish (11-0) at Lingfield 2m nhf (6) gf in Sept.
