tracked leader, lost place approaching 7th, left poor 3rd 9th, soon ridden and weakened
tracked leaders, went 2nd at 6th, in 2nd and going well when blundered and unseated rider 4 out
held up towards rear, weakened 8th
prominent and raced wide, lost place approaching 4th when blundered, weakened from 8th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
made all and jumped badly right throughout, ridden after 2 out, kept on well
held up in rear, headway to track leaders 6th, every chance 2 out, soon ridden and one pace
Romany Prince, Tom Fruit and Blairgowrie look the three to concentrate on in a competitive opener and the vote is given to Romany Prince. The selection was a fair third in a grade 2 event last time out on his hurdling debut behind Bewleys Berry. He is sure to have come on for the run and with this slightly shorter trip sure to suit he will be hard to beat. Tom Fruit rates the main danger on his latest win over Cottam Grange but that horse has since let the form down badly and for that reason he is passed over on this occasion. Blairgowrie has plenty of scope for improvement and looked a fair sort on his debut this season but he was well beaten when falling at Sedgefield last time and although he will appreciate this faster ground he still needs to improve to score, Of the remainder Red Georgie was a fair sort in bumpers but has been let down by his jumping over hurdles so can not be put forward with any confidence and for the winner we return to Romany Prince.
Blairgowrie (IRE) 9-4 Pulled hard and soon led, headed 9th, chased winner, ridden next, 4th and weakening when fell 3 out in race won by Minster Shadow at Sedgefield 3m 3f nov hdl (E) sft in Dec, 9 ran.
Tom Fruit 6-4fav Prominent, led 4th, headed after 6th, led again 3 out, kept on under pressure from last, all out, won at Wetherby 2m 7f amt nov hdl (E) sft in Jan beating Cottam Grange by 1/2l, 10 ran.
Bywell Beau (IRE) 22-1 Chased leaders, headway 3 out, ridden and effort next, kept on under pressure flat, 3rd of 16, 6l behind Top The Bill at Wetherby 2m 7f nh mdn hdl (F) gs in Jan.
Jack White 12-1 Led to 3rd, weakened approaching 2 out, 7th of 13, 22l behind Tomina at Southwell 2m mdn hdl (F) gd in Jan.
Red Georgie (IRE) 2-1 Chased leaders, ridden and lost place after 6th, behind when pulled up 5 out in race won by Top The Bill at Wetherby 2m 7f nh mdn hdl (F) gs in Jan, 16 ran.
Romany Prince 9-2 Took keen hold, held up, took closer order 7th, chased winner after next until before 3 out, weakened 2 out, 3rd of 5, 17l behind Bewleys Berry at Doncaster 3m nov hdl Grd 2 (A) gd in Jan.
