in rear, jumped right 2nd, behind when pulled up before last
held up rear, headway 8th, weakened 3 out, pulled up before last
prominent, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, one pace
tracked leaders, weakened 5th, pulled up before last
mid-division, keen, ridden 6th, soon weakened and pulled up 3 out
always towards rear, ridden and lost touch 6th, pulled up before 3 out
mid-division and keen, weakened 8th, pulled up before 3 out
tracked leaders, ridden to chase 3 out, one pace when not fluent last
led, headed 2nd, ridden 6th weakened approaching 3 out
mid-division, lost place 3rd, kept on one pace
mid-division, soon driven along, mistake 1st, led after 3rd, hit 6th, ridden and losing place when unseated rider 8th
in touch, lost place 3rd, weakened 5th, pulled up before 7th
keen and in touch, headway 8th, ridden and weakened 3 out
prominent, led 2nd, headed after 3rd, led again 7th, ridden 3 out, kept on well
held up, some progress 4th, weakened 3 out, pulled up before last
towards rear, hit 1st, ridden from 6th, tailed off
A very weak handicap hurdle to start the card and Swazi Prince could be up to the task, Bargayne and Royal Niece may provide most danger. The Nigel Twiston-Davies trained seven-year-old came to the racecourse with a decent reputation but never really fulfilled the hype. He has obviously had his training problems but as a consequence is very lightly raced. The fact that the yard is persevering with this well bred gelding suggests he does still have ability and he could be up to winning a contest of this nature. Bar Gayne, unlike most of these does have recent winning form. He landed a classified hurdle over course and distance in January and although disappointing last time he should be on the premises today. Royal Niece is steadily improving and more place money could be on the way. Any money for the Martin Pipe trained They Grabbed Me would be significant, but in a race where bets should be kept small, Swazi Prince just gets the verdict.
Swazi Prince 33-1 (10-12) In touch, led 4th, headed 7th, weakened when mistake 3 out, 8th of 15, well behind Herakles (11-9) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Feb.
Hard N Sharp 4-1 (11-0) Towards rear when fell at the 2nd in race won by Magot De Grugy (11-7) at Exeter 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gs in Nov, 7 ran.
Bar Gayne (IRE) 5-1 (10-9) Always prominent, ridden and every chance 4 out, weakened 2 out, 3rd of 9, 20l behind Mayoun (9-8) at Chepstow 3m nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Jan.
Perfect Balance (IRE) 7-1 (10-9) Mid-division, pushed along 3 out, soon ridden, one pace and no impression when mistake last, 4th of 10, 24l behind General Duroc (11-12) at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) hvy in Feb.
Marchensis (IRE) 33-1 (11-4) Chased leader to 8th, weakened before 3 out, mistake 2 out, headway to take moderate 3rd flat, 3rd of 15, 24l behind Saltango (11-8) at Fontwell 2m 6f nov hdl (4) hvy in Feb.
Novack du Beury (FR) 66-1 (11-4) Mistakes, always behind, 8th of 16, well behind Aces Four (11-4) at Ludlow 3m mdn hdl (4) gd in Feb.
Black Collar 16-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, left in after 5th lead, headed 3 out, soon weakened, 5th of 13, 31l behind Yes My Lord (11-10) at Folkestone 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft in Feb.
Royal Niece (IRE) 7-2 (10-9) Mid-division, hampered and lost place 9th, soon ridden, rallied after 3 out, ran on well to go 2nd from last, 2nd of 12, 2 1/2l behind Lizzie Bathwick (11-12) at Taunton 3m mrs hcp hdl (5) gs in Feb.
Bosworth Gypsy (IRE) 20-1 (10-9) Led, mistake 5th, ridden after 3 out, headed approaching last, weakened flat, 3rd of 12, 8l behind Lizzie Bathwick (11-12) at Taunton 3m mrs hcp hdl (5) gs in Feb.
Star Time (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Always in the rear, lost touch when pulled up at the 13th in race won by Merry Storm (10-9) at Hereford 3m 1f hcp chs 0-88 (5) sft in Jan, 16 ran.
They Grabbed Me (IRE) 20-1 (11-4) Held up last, ridden after 8th, soon no chance, 8th of 12, 16l behind Lizzie Bathwick (11-12) at Taunton 3m mrs hcp hdl (5) gs in Feb.
Salliemak 20-1 (10-3) Towards rear, reminders after 9th, weakened approaching 10th, tailed off when pulled up at the 11th in race won by Roman Court (11-2) at Southwell 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in Jan, 13 ran.
Safe To Blush 22-1 (11-0) Prominent to 7th, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Golden Feather (10-5) at Huntingdon 2m 5f cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs in Jan, 15 ran.
The Small Farmer (IRE) 15-2 (10-3) Never a factor, 7th of 16, 45l behind Ask The Umpire (11-12) at Towcester 2m 3f amt hcp hdl (5) sft in Jan.
Pip Moss 11-1 (10-5) In touch, mistake 10th and 12th, struggling next, tailed off, 9th of 10, 41l behind Joseph Beuys (11-0) at Folkestone 3m 1f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gs in Jan.
New Diamond 100-1 (9-12) Keen in rear, tailed off from 5th, 6th of 9, well behind Spike Jones (11-10) at Chepstow 2m cnd nov hcp hdl (4) sft in Jan.
