prominent, chased leader from 3rd, blundered 5th, lost 2nd approaching 3 out, weakened approaching last
jumped right, led, ridden and hung and jumped badly right from 3 out, headed after last, kept on
held up, went moderate 4th approaching 3 out until approaching last, weakened
mid-division, behind from 4th
mid-division, headway on inside 4th, went 2nd approaching 3 out, challenged approaching 2 out, led after last, kept on
took keen hold, headway after 2nd, jumped slowly 3rd, behind from 5th
pulled hard, held up, never dangerous
held up, not fluent 4th, never near leaders
joined leaders 2nd, lost 2nd next, weakened 5th
chased leaders, driven along 4th, no impression from next
mid-division, jumped slowly 3rd, behind from next, blundered badly 5th, tailed off
Nonrunner
Absolutelythebest is probably one of the worst named horses in training and has not progressed since winning an all-weather maiden in January 2004 so is best left out of calculations even in a contest as weak as this with preference for Iffy, who gets the vote ahead of Hugs Destiny. The last mentioned resumed winning ways when landing a Southwell maiden hurdle last week but he may struggle to confirm the form of that effort under his penalty. Chunky Lad showed some promise in a claiming hurdle over course and distance last time but has yet to recapture his bumper form, while the Philip Hobbs-trained Dream Alive has given little cause for optimism so far but may be better than he has shown. The vote though goes to Iffy. Richard Lee's gelding is less exposed than most of his opponents, handled fast ground on the flat and would not need to improve much, if at all, to open his account in this company.
Hugs Destiny (IRE) 7-1 (11-1) In touch, ridden 2 out, led last, ran on, won at Southwell 2m mdn hdl (5) gf beating Cayman Calypso (11-1) by 2l, 13 ran.
Absolutelythebest (IRE) 11-8fav (10-12) Always prominent, led 5th to 3 out, ridden 2 out, still chance when stumbled last, no extra, 2nd of 10, 3l behind Different Class (11-5) at Hereford 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gf.
Dream Alive 12-1 (11-1) Mistake 2nd, always behind, 9th of 14, 46l behind Recount (11-1) at N Abbot 2m 1f mdn hdl (5) gf.
Ernie's Maite Komaite gelding out of a lightly-raced mare.
Iffy 10-1 (10-11) Held up towards rear, ridden and effort 3 out, one pace from 2 out, 5th of 11, 22l behind Gods Token (11-9) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Feb.
New Diamond 50-1 (10-11) Prominent, left in lead 2nd, headed next, weakened before 3 out, 7th of 9, well behind Amarula Ridge (11-4) at Huntingdon 2m amt nov hdl (4) gf in May.
Olivino (GER) 8-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, led after 3rd, ridden and headed after 2 out, weakened quickly, 7th of 15, 19l behind Airgusta (10-12) at Hereford 2m 1f sll hdl (5) gf.
Chunky Lad 20-1 (11-1) Keen, mid-division, ridden after 5th, soon weakened, 9th of 14, 18l behind Classic Croco (11-1) at Worcester 2m nov clm hdl (5) gf.
