pulled hard in touch, ridden over 2f out, every chance over 1f out, one pace final furlong
led, ridden and headed over 3f out, soon weakened
held up, headway over 5f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on
chased leaders, led over 3f out, ridden and headed inside final furlong, not quicken
in touch, ridden over 4f out, weakened 3f out
chased leader to over 4f out, soon hung right and weakened
held up, ridden and headway over 4f out, every chance well over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
behind, headway halfway, ridden over 5f out, weakened over 4f out
behind, ridden and headway 3f out, weakened over 1f out
mid-division, lost place halfway, soon behind
Houlihans Free is narrowly preferred in the finale to Playing Dirty and Mr Jawbreaker who rate as the main dangers. The selection hails from a top yard and has shown enough in point-to-points to make him the one to beat. He has the tongue tie on today and if the market speaks in his favour then he should take plenty of beating. Playing Dirty is the Martin Pipe representative and once again the market will provide the clues as to his chance of making a winning debut. He wasn't a particularly expensive purchase but he won't have to be anything special to win this. Mr Jawbreaker is interesting and he could provide some value in the race. He made a pleasing debut when second behind Hill Forts Timmy and if he can build on that he will go close here. The fact that he does not come from one of the top stables could even allow punters to get an each-way price on him, and if he is available at anything approaching an each-way price then he should be backed as it is hard to see him being out of the frame. Be Positive ran okay last time and is the other to consider, but for the winner we return to Houlihans Free.
