in touch, lost place 4 out, kept on same pace from next, no impression
held up mid-division, headway 4 out, went 2nd after next, ridden 2 out, led after last, stayed on well
led, clear when mistake 3 out, blundered next, 6 lengths clear when slipped badly after last, soon headed, not recover
held up towards rear, headway 3 out, kept on from next, never nearer
mid-division, headway 4 out, chased leader next, ridden and one pace approaching last
held up, headway 4 out, ridden and kept on well from 2 out, no impression
in touch, outpaced approaching 3 out, soon beaten
jumped badly, always in rear, tailed off from 3 out
raced keenly, tracked leaders, lost place 5th, soon behind
tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, behind when mistake last
raced keenly, with leader, ridden and lost place 3 out, weakened from next
Alan King's Habanero has improved with each start over hurdles and has to be respected in this company, especially if any rain arrives as he has yet to prove his effectiveness on fast ground, but preference is for Jass, with Lorikeet rated the pick of the remainder. The selection has progressed well since winning in bumpers and Keith Reveley's gelding looks worth another chance having disappointed when upped in class at Aintree last time. Helvetio showed some promise on his hurdles debut but trainer Micky Hammond has been struggling to find winners of late so he is probably best watched, while Mister Fizzbomb needs to improve on all known form to take a hand. Stagecoach Amber has shown little sign of real ability in bumpers and of more interest may be Lorikeet, who has not been seen over hurdles for some time but does come here fit from the flat. Jass has done little wring of late though and he gets the vote.
Arctic Cove 9-1 (11-4) Always towards rear and pulled up 3 out in race won by James Bay (11-7) at Wetherby 2m 4f sll hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gf in Apr, 14 ran.
Habanero 6-1 (11-5) In touch, ridden and every chance 2 out, led last, headed close home, 2nd of 13, shd behind Moon Star (11-0) at Stratford 2m nov hcp hdl (3) gd in Apr.
Helvetio 11-4fav (11-3) Chased leaders, ridden to challenge 3 out, one pace, 3rd of 14, 13l behind Daldini (10-10) at Wetherby 2m mdn hdl (5) gd in Mar.
Jass 66-1 (11-0) Held up, behind and struggling when mistake 8th, 9th of 10, well behind Tidal Bay (11-5) at Aintree 2m 4f nov hdl Grd 2 (1) gd in Apr.
Lorikeet 4-1 (11-12) Mid-division, 8th 5 out, 5th and headway approaching 3 out, close 2nd and challenged 2 out, every chance when mistake last, kept on under pressure, 2nd of 17, 1/2l behind Boolakraken (11-7) at Listowel 2m mdn hdl gd in Sept '05.
Mister Fizzbomb (IRE) 10-1 (10-5) With leaders, led 2nd, headed 6th, weakened 2 out, 3rd of 13, 28l behind Brave Rebellion (11-4) at Wetherby 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gf in Apr.
Peak Seasons (IRE) 50-1 (10-5) Raced keenly and led, hit 3 out, soon ridden, headed next, one pace and jumped left last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 13, 16l behind Ahmedy (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 1f 4yo nov hdl (4) gf in Apr.
Stagecoach Amber (USA) 16-1 (10-8) Tracked leader, led halfway, headed over 4f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 14, 38l behind Nodforms Paula (10-10) at Hexham 2m mdn nhf (6) gf in Apr.
