held up in rear, headway to chase leaders 8th, ridden 3 out, soon weakened
held up, lost place halfway, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
prominent, hit 2 out when weakening
close up, not fluent 6th, led 8th, ridden and under pressure 2 out, kept on well
with leaders, lost place halfway, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
held up towards rear, headway after 6th, ridden approaching 3 out, one pace from last
led and not fluent throughout, headed 8th, ridden 3 out, weakened next
towards rear, headway 4 out, soon ridden, every chance 2 out, kept on same pace
held up in mid-division, headway approaching 8th, ridden approaching 3 out, disputing 4th and staying on when fell last
mid-division, outpaced and ridden approaching 3 out, kept on from next, not able to challenge
held up behind, stumbled and unseated rider 4th
held up towards rear, reminders 8th, weakened next
tracked leaders, weakened 4 out
A wide open handicap hurdle here and many can be given chances on their best form but the principals look to be Roobihoo, Ashleybank House, Janbre and Premier Drive and the nomination goes to Roobihoo. The selection won with plenty in hand when defeating MerryvaleMan at this course last time out and although he is rising in the weights and stepping up in trip he still looks ahead of the handicapper and he is taken to win again. Ashleybank House rates the main danger as he returns to hurdles on a fair mark and is from a yard in top form but his overall profile leaves him with a little to find and for that reason he is opposed. Janbre has definite place claims on his latest fourth behind Victory Gunner but he looks weighted up to his best and he may be venerable to a less exposed type. Premier Drive is another that could go well on his best form but his best efforts have come over a shorter trip so he is passed over on this occasion. Of the remainder Sungates is from a shrewd yard that is in form and is worth noting in the market despite top weight but for the winner we return to the progressive Roobihoo.
Sungates (IRE) 14-1 Always behind, tailed off and pulled up 3 out in race won by Just Kate at Exeter 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (D) gs in Dec, 13 ran.
Ashleybank House (IRE) 14-1 Always behind and mistakes, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Jumieges at Market Rasen 2m 6f beg chs (E) gs in Nov, 10 ran.
Just Maybe (IRE) 11-2 Chased leaders, pushed along and lost place 8th, ridden and headway approaching 2 out, kept on flat, 3rd of 18, 1 1/2l behind Grey Abbey at Catterick 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gs in Feb '04.
Janbre (IRE) 7-2fav Held up, not fluent 6th, soon ridden, never nearer, 4th of 8, 27l behind Victory Gunner at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (D) sft in Nov.
Roobihoo (IRE) 4-1fav Mid-division, headway approaching 5th, led approaching 3 out, clear last, won at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (D) sft in Jan beating Merryvale Man by 5l, 14 ran.
Premier Drive (IRE) 10-1 Chased leaders, led 8th, mistake and headed 2 out, soon weakened, 6th of 12, well behind Sara Monica at Hexham 3m amt hcp hdl 0-105 (E) hvy in Dec.
Standing Bloom 14-1 Mid-division, headway to chase leader 6th, led approaching 8th, headed 3 out, soon weakened, 5th of 13, 35l behind He's The Guv'nor at Towcester 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gs in Jan.
Sikasso (USA) 33-1 Towards rear, soon pushed along and outpaced, never dangerous, 7th of 13, 46l behind Torkinking at Newcastle 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gs in Jan.
Martha Reilly (IRE) 33-1 Prominent when weakaned quickly and pulled up at the 4th in race won by Christopher at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (D) sft in Jan, 15 ran.
Mr Christie 11-1 Held up in rear, hit 3rd, weakened after 10th, 6th of 11, 45l behind Risetotheoccasion at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-105 (E) sft in Jan.
Southerncrosspatch 25-1 Held up, some headway approaching 7th, weakened next, 9th of 15, 29l behind Moss Run at Huntingdon 2m 5f cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (F) gd in Jan.
Rosecharmer 12-1 Tracked leaders and keen, led briefly 4 out, soon weakened, 5th of 10, 26l behind Tom Fruit at Wetherby 2m 7f amt nov hdl (E) sft in Jan.
