14:55
TrustATrader Top Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1) (GBB Race)
Grade 1, Class 1, 2m103y, Hurdle, 4yo+, 9 runners
Winning time 3m 56.84s
- Going
- Good
- Surface
- Turf
- Jumps
- 9 hurdles
Result
Paul Townend
W P Mullins
Settled handy in the pack early - improved to third then moved into second before the third-last - pressed the leader approaching two out - roused to hit the front but hit the last awkwardly - kept finding more to pull away for an easy win
Sam Ewing
Gordon Elliott
Went straight to front - drifted right over first - scrappy over sixth - driven along and chased hard 2 out - lost advantage and scratchy again at last - unable to close on winner up the run-in
Danny Mullins
W P Mullins
Settled midpack early - made headway past 6th to sit third by 3 out - blundered 2 out and lost momentum - stayed on gamely in the final furlong to finish third
Patrick Wadge
Lucinda Russell
Up with the front group - dropped away before the 5th and leapt right at it - recovered to press the principals approaching 3 out - a distant 4th from 2 out
Harry Skelton
Dan Skelton
Settled at the back early - improved into contention after the 6th before a blunder 3 out - dropped away and beaten a long way at the finish
Jonathan Burke
Fergal O'Brien
Drifted right over obstacles from the off - settled towards the back - blundered at the 5th - no threat from 3 out to finish sixth
Ben Jones
Ben Pauling
Held a forward spot early - lost touch approaching 3 out - dropped away steadily to finish well held in 7th
Brian Hughes
Donald McCain
Settled at the back of the field - a spent force by 3 out - finished eighth
Jack Quinlan
Neil King
Settled near the front - urged forward after the 6th - dropped away before 3 out - well held at the finish
Non-runners: Blues Singer (vet's certificate, lame)
Draw in brackets. Headgear: b blinkers, v visor, h hood, t tongue strap, p cheekpieces, e/s eye shield; ¹ first time. C course winner, D distance winner, CD course and distance winner. Form reads oldest to newest.