prominent, led 4th, with clear leaders when headed narrowly 4 out, disputed lead 2 out, led approaching last
led first, headed and stayed prominent, led narrowly 4 out, challenged 2 out, headed soon after, faded
tracked leaders, lost place 4th, tailed off when pulled up before 5th
tracked leaders, keen, lost place and weakened 6th
keen, mid-division, headway 6th, not fluent 7th, ridden to chase clear leaders 4 out, weakened 3 out plugged on for very poor 4th
in rear, ridden and weakened 5th
mistakes in rear, never a danger
held up towards rear, ridden and stayed on moderately approaching 4 out
in touch, ridden and weakened 5th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
held up mid-division, steady headway 5th, with clear leaders 4 out, every chance 3 out, ridden, under pressure and hung left approaching last, no extra
tracked leaders, lost place 4th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
keen, led 2nd, headed 4th, weakened 5th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
mid-division, ridden and weakened 6th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
held up in touch, lost place approaching 5th, soon behind
held up mid-division, steady headway 7th, ridden and weakened approaching 4 out, tailed off
held up towards rear, headway after 4th, ridden after 7th, weakened and pulled up before 2 out
Three horses really jump out at you in this novice hurdle. They include recent Perth winner Bobby Dazzler who improved on his second at Kempton to beat You're a Gassman in convincing style over today's trip. If reproducing that run will prove a difficult horse to beat. The Peter Bowen-trained Celtic Boy looks a lot less exposed as it was only his second run over hurdles when staying on strongly on what looked like rain-softened ground at Worcester the other day. He looks a typical Bowen horse and now he has got his act together it would be silly to write him off as there is definite improvement in him. Paul Nicholls always does well round this Welsh track and he trains Pitminster who has been contesting races over two miles so takes a hike in trip. He looked a prospect when finishing second at Taunton on only his second outing but disappointed last time out. He has not been over-raced and may be worth another look over this longer distance. Lord Tricks ran better than his odds suggested at Worcester last time out although the ground that day made sure the odd outsider came in. He'll have to convince today to prove it was no fluke. The safe option in the race looks sure to be Bobby Dazzler to follow up his recent Perth success
