mid-division, jumped slowly 5th, driven along when mistake next, headway after 9th, edged right approaching last, no extra
chased leader, led 6th until just after 3 out, one pace from 2 out
took keen hold, held up, headway 8th, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out
led until 6th, weakened approaching 8th
held up towards rear, driven along 8th, headway approaching 3 out, every chance 2 out, edged left approaching last, edged left and no extra flat
held up, headway 8th, pecked badly 9th, weakened approaching 3 out, eased, tailed off
chased leaders, led going well just after 3 out, jumped right last, comfortably
held up, headway approaching 3 out, hard ridden and went second flat, no impression on winner
chased leaders to 3 out
Unleash gets the vote in this handicap hurdle with Moon Catcher and Malay rated as the main dangers. The selection was disappointing when last seen out at Newton Abbott but he is probably best judged on his previous effort at Cheltenham when he finished a short-head second behind Napolitain. He returns to hurdles here and although he does not run in this sphere very often, when he does he normally gives a good account and he should take plenty of beating today. Moon Catcher is the obvious danger as she has won her last three races, but she was all-out to beat Wembury Point last time and she is at her best with some cut in the ground. Malay ran okay last time but she is another that is much better on a softer surface and for that reason she is opposed. The Rising Moon put in an improved effort at Market Rasen last time and he is another to consider, but for the winner we will stick with Unleash to lead them home.
Unleash (USA) 8-15fav (11-6) Held up last, ridden and headway 4 out, one pace from 2 out, hampered and left 3rd last, 3rd of 7, 9l behind Matthew Muroto (11-6) at N Abbot 2m 5f nov chs (3) gf in Apr.
Malay 9-1 (11-3) Held up, headway 4 out, effort after next, weakened 2 out, 5th of 11, 18l behind Treaty Flyer (10-6) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gf.
Moon Catcher 11-2 (11-1) Toward rear, ridden and headway 3 out, edged left last, ran on to lead close home, won at Worcester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gf beating Wembury Point (10-2) by a nk, 11 ran.
Captain Zinzan (NZ) 20-1 (11-12) Held up and behind, stayed on from 2 out, never near leaders, 4th of 9, 18l behind Navado (11-9) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf.
Grave Doubts 10-1 (10-12) In touch, mistake 8th, outpaced 3 out, rallied and every chance 2 out, one pace flat, 3rd of 11, 3 1/2l behind Crathorne (11-0) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gf.
The Rising Moon (IRE) 14-1 (11-2) Held up, driven and headway 3 out, ridden to chase leaders next, kept on same pace, no impression, 3rd of 11, 9l behind Treaty Flyer (10-6) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gf.
Grand Slam Hero (IRE) 5-2fav (11-7) Tracked leaders, headway 3 out, led approaching next, ridden and headed after last, rallied flat, just held, 2nd of 14, hd behind Countrywide Sun (10-7) at Perth 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gf.
Romany Prince 10-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, disputed lead after 5th, lost place 3 out, soon ridden and weakened, 8th of 11, well behind Treaty Flyer (10-6) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gf.
