hit 1st, made all, strongly pressed 2 out, in command approaching last, kept on gamely run-in
chased leaders until mistake and lost place 5th, soon well behind
in touch, chased leaders under pressure before 3 out, hanging left and no impression from next
hit 1st, chased winner, ridden and upsides 2 out, no impression and weakened before last and lost 2nd soon after
held up towards rear, ridden and struggling after 5th
behind, ridden and stayed on from 3 out, never going pace to reach leaders
always behind, hit 5th, soon tailed off
in touch, headway to chase leaders approaching 3 out, chased winner soon after last, stayed on run-in
held up in rear, steady headway before 3 out, weakened and well behind when blundered badly next
rear division, mistake 3rd, well behind when mistake 3 out
This is a race to pay some heed to for the future but, for today, we will side with Priors Dale, with Constantine, Twist 'n Shout and First Boy all getting mentions. The selection hails from an in-form yard and showed good qualities when scoring at Plumpton last time. Admittedly, the conditions will be very different today but he has the scope to continue improving and should go well. Constantine is now back to a winning mark following three modest efforts, so has to be given a shout, while Twist 'n Shout is arguably well weighted on his best Irish form so watch the betting for clues. First Boy was an emphatic Cartmel winner last time and, while he needs to improve again, he is lightly-raced and might do so. Turning to the others, and Foodbroker Founder has had two starts over hurdles, gaining one win and showing plenty of promise, but The Local has now been hit by the handicapper for winning three times between December 2004 and January 2005. With Border Tale racing from four pounds above the mark of his Aintree win and the others looking in need of improvement, we return to the selection, which is Priors Dale.
Priors Dale 9-2 (11-4) Made all, soon clear, well in command when jumped right 2 out, unchallenged, won at Plumpton 2m nov hdl (D) sft in Jan beating Migwell (11-10) by 8l, 10 ran.
Foodbroker Founder 3-1fav (11-5) Prominent, ridden approaching 2 out, weakened before last, 6th of 16, 8l behind Briareus (11-2) at Kempton 2m nov hdl (D) gs in Mar.
Constantine 20-1 (10-2) Keen hold and steadied rear, well behind from 3 out, 10th of 11, 35l behind Cantgeton (10-7) at Cheltenham 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-135 (E) gd in Oct.
The Local 8-1 (11-5) Led until ridden 6th, headed approaching 2 out, weakened last, 6th of 14, 15l behind Norma Hill (11-3) at Hereford 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gd in Apr.
Cunning Pursuit 7-1 (11-6) In touch, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened quickly, 15th of 18, 19l behind Qabas (11-6) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (D) gf in May.
Border Tale 11-1 (11-0) Held up, reminders after 4th, never on terms, 10th of 15, 20l behind Imperial Rocket (10-1) at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (D) gf in Jul.
Twist 'N Shout 16-1 (10-7) Mid-division to 5th, soon behind, 10th of 15, well behind Prairie Sun (10-7) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gs in Oct.
Silver Prophet (IRE) 25-1 (10-13) In touch, ridden and weakened after 3 out, 6th of 9, 28l behind Monticelli (11-12) at N Abbot 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-125 (D) gd in Aug.
First Boy (GER) 13-8fav (11-0) Tracked leaders, led 2 out, hit and left well clear last, eased towards finish, won at Cartmel 2m 1f mdn hdl (E) gd in May '04 beating Heathyards Swing (11-0) by 14l, 14 ran.
Hatch A Plan (IRE) 7-2jt-fav (11-3) Chased leader, led 4th to 6th, ridden approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 9th of 11, 23l behind Idle Journey (10-7) at Taunton 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-100 (F) frm in Oct.
Park City 16-1 (10-3) Held up in rear, headway approaching 3 out, chased leaders next, kept on one pace, 4th of 14, 6l behind Irish Wolf (11-12) at Huntingdon 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gd.
