led to 2nd, remained with winner, outpaced after 4 out, soon ridden, beaten when mistake 2 out
mid-division, close up 3rd, led 6th, clear when mistake 2 out, stayed on well, comfortably
with leader, led 2nd, made most until fell 6th
held up, always behind
mid-division, outpaced 4 out, behind and pulled up before next
mid-division, headway 4 out, went 2nd approaching 2 out, soon ridden, kept on, no chance with winner
tracked leaders, effort approaching 3 out, soon ridden, kept on to go 3rd last, no impression
in touch, hampered 6th, soon lost place, behind when pulled up before 3 out
behind when hampered 6th, pulled up before 4 out
tracked leaders, disputed lead 6th, every chance 3 out, ridden and lost place next, weakened last
behind, headway and in touch 5th, outpaced 3 out, soon beaten
A mediocre novices' hurdle and our confident choice here is Brave Rebellion to make it back to back wins, while Lord Collingwood and My Good Lord look best of what is a pretty ordinary remainder. The selection loved these faster conditions when scoring last time out over course and distance. He was very game and gutsy that day but in truth he should not need to battle as hard to score here. A repeat of that effort should be comfortably good enough. Lord Collingwood looks to be a little slow and has been getting in to his races too late. This drop back in trip is therefore not likely to be advantageous, but he has produced a level of form that suggests that he can make the frame here if handling good to firm. My Good Lord may be a better proposition as one who has proved he handles this ground but he should not have enough in the locker to frighten our selection and with little else having shown much aptitude for the job we will take Brave Rebellion to score.
Astorvale (IRE) 66-1 (11-0) Chased leaders to 4 out, soon weakened, 9th of 12, well behind Escayola (11-7) at Sedgefield 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gf.
Brave Rebellion 11-4jt-fav (11-1) Held up, headway to lead 6th, headed approaching last, soon regained lead, just held on, won at Wetherby 2m 4f cnd nov hdl (4) gf beating Ice Tea (11-10) by a hd, 20 ran.
Flowerpotman 33-1 (11-2) Mid-division, weakened quickly and pulled up in race won by Valiant Shadow (11-9) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nov hdl (4) sft in Mar, 18 ran.
Lord Collingwood (IRE) 5-2fav (11-2) Held up, headway 8th, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 4th of 8, 29l behind Shrewd Investor (11-7) at Wetherby 3m 1f nov hdl (4) gd in Mar.
My Good Lord (IRE) 15-2 (10-5) Always towards rear, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by Spring Breeze (11-8) at Sedgefield 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Nov, 9 ran.
Pencil House (IRE) 50-1 (11-6) Held up in touch, ridden after 2 out, weakened after last, tailed off, 9th of 11, well behind Classic Fiddle (10-13) at Hereford 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
Young Bull (IRE) 66-1 (10-8) Tracked leaders, effort 3 out, ridden and no impression approaching next, 4th of 10, 27l behind That's Rhythm (11-1) at Sedgefield 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gf in Mar.
Coverdale Lady 25-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, weakened 6th, pulled up after 3 out pulled up in race won by Lady Maranzi (10-11) at Bangor 2m 1f mrs clm hdl (5) gd in Mar, 9 ran.
