soon chasing leading pair until not fluent and eased after 9th
held up in rear, smooth headway to track leaders going well 3 out, stayed on to take 2nd flat, no chance with easy winner
in touch, not fluent 4th, struggling from 9th
held up in rear, driven along 8th, headway next, disputing 4th and no chance when mistake 2 out
in touch, mistake 8th, chased winner from 3 out, no impression and lost 2nd flat
soon well behind, mistake 4th, tailed off 9th
tracked leader, led 9th, drew well clear after 3 out, hit last, eased flat, very easily
chased leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, soon outpaced
raced freely and wandered at several flights, led, headed 9th, chased winner to next, weakened soon after
This novices' hurdle sees Ballykelly and Paulo Dancer as the major players, with Our Samson one to watch in the betting, and the race selection being Ballykelly. Ballykelly has shown very good promise in his bumpers and looks to be the leading player in this race today. Paulo Dancer hails from the Paul Nicholls yard and is fully respected, having shown a lot of promise on his hurdling debut. Fairlight Shadow is one to watch in the betting and Our Samson is bred for this game and is a potential option as he showed a lot of ability in winning when last seen on the track, although he has a long absence to defy. Overall, though, the vote goes to Ballykelly.
Ballykelly (IRE) 5-1 (11-8) Held up, headway over 5f out, chased leaders over 3f out, one pace, 3rd of 13, 5l behind Star Award (10-8) at Chepstow 2m nhf (6) gd in Apr.
Barclay Boy 13-2 (11-6) Mid-division, headway 4th, prominent next, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, 7th of 15, well behind Haloo Baloo (11-0) at Exeter 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Mar.
Doctor Supremo (IRE) 50-1 (10-9) In rear when mistake 1st, lost touch 7th, 8th of 10, well behind Buster Collins (11-0) at Plumpton 2m 5f nov hdl (4) gs in Apr.
Magnetic Pole 22-1 (11-12) Mid-division, headway 7th, ridden and weakened 2 out, 8th of 14, 30l behind Penric (11-3) at Hereford 2m 3f cnd nov hcp hdl (F) gf in Oct '05.
Our Samson (IRE) 11-2 (10-12) Held up in touch, ridden to chase leading trio approaching 3 out, soon outpaced, 4th of 9, 32l behind Maximinus (10-5) at Windsor 2m 4f nov hdl (E) gs in Nov '04.
Paulo Dancer (FR) 7-2 (11-4) Mid-division, headway and hampered 2nd, ridden approaching 3 out, soon one pace, 3rd of 13, 14l behind Flying Falcon (11-4) at Exeter 2m 1f nh mdn hdl (4) sft in Feb.
Silver Serg 16-1 (10-13) In touch, led over 3f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened, 6th of 12, 21l behind Beau Michel (11-0) at Worcester 2m nhf (6) gs in May.
Break The Ice 40-1 (10-4) Always towards rear, 12th of 13, well behind Fairlight Express (10-11) at Fontwell 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gf in Sept.
