disputed lead, definite leader 3 out, clear flat, stayed on well
disputed lead until before 3 out, stayed 2nd, kept on, jumped left last, no impression on winner flat
chased leaders, bumped 1st, lost place 3 out
held up in rear, jumped right 6th, headway on outside before 2 out, no impression after 2 out, kept on towards finish
chased leaders, pushed along after 4 out, not fluent 2 out, lost 3rd flat, no extra towards finish
chased leaders, jumped right and bumped 1st, jumped right and not fluent 6th, lost place 3 out
held up in rear, effort 3 out, switched right last, went 3rd flat, kept on
It’s almost three years since Fransham last won over hurdles but Pam Sly’s nine-year-old runs his best races around here so can’t be ignored. Hurricane Ali is only a pound higher than his last winning mark but has been a bit disappointing lately so WHIZZ KID is fancied to concede weight all round on his reappearance. Luke Scott takes off 7lb as he did when Richard Newland’s gelding won on good going at Doncaster in March. Coastguard Station is rated 11lb higher over fences but this is probably a pipe-opener while Lone Star may get outpaced over this shorter trip. Hidalgo De L'Isle has reserved his best for Bangor so far.
Whizz Kid (GER) 11-2 (11-4) Tracked leaders, pushed along 2 out when slightly short of room on inner, every chance when ridden along approaching last, no extra run-in, 4th of 13, 8 3/4l behind Aggagio (10-4) at Haydock 2m hcp (2) gs in Apr.
Hurricane Ali (IRE) 6-1 (11-7) Prominent, every chance when mistake last, not much room and no extra towards finish, 5th of 7, 2 3/4l behind Enthused (10-8) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp (2) gd in Sep.
Fransham 18-1 (11-12) Prominent, ridden after 2 out, weakening when mistake last, 9th of 13, 35 3/4l behind Black Poppy (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp (3) gd in Apr.
Bread And Butter (IRE) 25-1 (10-10) Tended to jump slightly right, always in rear, ridden and outpaced before 2 out, tailed off before last, last of 6, dist behind Soul Icon (10-8) at Fontwell 2m 3f hcp (2) gd in Oct.
Hidalgo De L'isle (FR) 6-4fav (11-13) Led, headed before 3rd, 2 lengths behind 3 out, soon led and ridden, 1 length ahead 2 out, soon headed, 4 lengths down approaching last where briefly left in lead, soon swerved fallen rival, no extra and headed near finish, 2nd of 4, 2 1/2l behind Feel The Pinch (11-7) at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 1f hcp (4) gd in Jun.
Lone Star 9-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, not fluent 3 out, ridden after 2 out, 4th and beaten when hit last, weakened flat, 6th of 17, 13l behind Malaita (10-8) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp (2) gd in Apr.
Coastguard Station (IRE) 17-2 (10-9) Held up in rear, not fluent 6th, mistake 10th, headway 4 out, every chance 2 out, soon ridden, no extra flat, 5th of 12, 5 3/4l behind Gloire D'Athon (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (2) gd in May.
