chased winner, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened
never fluent, always behind
jumped right, made all, jumped badly right last 2, kept on well, pushed out
behind from 4th, pulled up before 2 out
chased leaders until weakened 3 out
chased leaders, ridden to go 2nd approaching 2 out, hit last, kept on but no chance with winner
mid-division until 5th, soon behind, pulled up before 2 out
mid-division until 5th, soon behind
mid-division, steady headway from 3 out, went 3rd 2 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace
chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, weakened next
mid-division, headway 4th, ridden and effort after 3 out, one pace
in touch, took closer order 4th, ridden after 3 out, weakened next
In the opener, the vote goes to Nippy des Mottes, but High Altitude, Businessmoney Jake, The Thunderer, Sonic Sound, Gold Ring, Crown Agent and Barney McCall have also to be considered. The Paul Nicholls-trained Nippy des Mottes put in a good effort in a fair race at Warwick last time behind the French raider New Rock and has to be given serious thought in what is an interesting novice event. High Altitude was a reasonable fourth to Cerium (who is also trained by Nicholls) here on his hurdling debut, and he has to be considered, along with Businessmoney Jake, who was third behind another Nicholls runner, The Persuader, at Taunton on his hurdling debut, making eyecatching late headway in the process. Hilarious showed some promise last time, but more will be needed today. The Thunderer could be interesting on his hurdling debut as he won an Ascot bumper before then finishing in the ruck in the Festival bumper at Cheltenham. Sonic Sound's bumper form is also solid and he warrants plenty of respect. Gold Ring achieved a rating in the 80s on the Flat and showed some promise at Newbury last time over hurdles, and his stable is getting among the winners now. Finally, Crown Agent is from a stable that has to be respected in this sphere, and Barney McCall was also a mid-80s rated Flat performer - and winner - on the Flat, and has also to be considered. However, at a track where he is by head and shoulders the leading trainer, Paul Nicholls might provide the answer again with Nippy des Mottes.
Barney McAll (IRE) 4-1 Held up in rear, ridden and some headway approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 9, 44l behind Tigers Lair at Aintree 2m nov hdl (D) gd in May.
Crown Agent (IRE) 11-1 Chased leaders, hit 4th, ridden 7th, weakened quickly, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Always Waining at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nov hdl (C) sft in Feb, 8 ran.
Dangerous Dan McGo (IRE) 12-1 Pulled early, held up in mid-division, lost touch 5th, soon behind, 12th of 14, well behind Foodbroker Founder at Taunton 2m 1f mdn hdl (D) gs in Feb.
Gold Ring 7-2 In touch, ridden after 3 out, kept on same pace, 6th of 25, 15l behind Olaso at Newbury 2m mdn hdl (E) gd in Dec.
Peter's Debt 20-1 Pulled hard, led after 2f, headed over 5f out, weakened quickly, 9th of 11, well behind Don And Gerry at Ludlow 2m nhf (H) gs in Jan.
Scarpia 16-1 Pulled hard towards rear, weakened 3f out, lost action and eased afterwards, last of 12, 26l behind Mr Strowger at Lingfield 1m 2f stk (H5) pol in Dec (Flat).
Sonic Sound 16-1 Mid-division, keen, headway over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, ran on to lead near finish, won at Huntingdon 2m nhf (H) gd in Jan beating Summit Up by 3/4l, 13 ran.
Bonny Grey 25-1 Behind, headway approaching 8th, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off, 5th of 18, well behind Lady of Scarvagh at Ludlow 2m 5f mrs mdn hdl (E) gs in Jan.
Diamond Song (IRE) 5-1 Always behind, tailed off and pulled up in race won by Elle Roseador at Fontwell 2m 2f nhf (H) gs in Jan, 12 ran.
Elle Roseador 20-1 Chased leader, led 2nd, ridden 8th, headed approaching 2 out, soon weakened, went badly right and unseated rider at the last in race won by Darjeeling at Wincanton 2m 6f mrs nov hdl (D) sft in Feb, 9 ran.
Hilarious (IRE) 16-1 Took keen hold, held up, mistake 5th, left moderate 3rd 2 out, blundered and left 2nd last, 2nd of 9, 14l behind Fille D'honfleur at Lingfield 2m mrs nov hdl (E) gs in Feb.
Samandara (FR) 11-1 Always towards rear, 13th of 16, well behind Supreme Dawn at Exeter 2m 1f mdn hdl (F) gd in May.
Businessmoney Jake 28-1 Hampered start, held up in mid-division, ridden 3 out, ran on from last, 3rd of 13, 15l behind The Persuader at Taunton 2m 1f mdn hdl (D) gs in Feb.
High Altitude (IRE) 12-1 Mid-division, ridden and headway after 3 out, jumped left 2 out, ran on same pace, 4th of 14, 17l behind Cerium at Wincanton 2m nov hdl (D) gs in Feb.
Nippy Des Mottes (FR) 6-1 In touch until outpaced from 4th, 4th of 9, 23l behind New Rock at Warwick 2m 4yo nov hdl (C) sft in Feb.
Silver Jewel (IRE) 20-1 Held up last, ridden 7th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Senor Sedona at Wincanton 2m 6f nh nov hdl (C) sft in Feb, 13 ran.
Red Moor (IRE) 150-1 Mid-division, ridden 3 out, kept on from 2 out, 5th of 10, 8l behind Say What You See at Taunton 2m 1f nov hdl (C) gd in Dec.
The Thunderer 20-1 Keen early, always towards rear, 20th of 24, well behind Total Enjoyment at Cheltenham 2m nhf Grd 1 (A) gd.
