held up, headway approaching 3 out, every chance next, chased winner approaching last, no impression
held up mid-division, pushed along 6th, weakened 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
held up, headway to chase leaders approaching 3 out, one pace 2 out
led, headed approaching 3rd, led again 5th, headed approaching 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out
with leaders, ridden and lost place 3 out
held up in rear, weakened 3 out
held up towards rear, led approaching 3 out, stayed on well from last
held up, good headway to lead approaching 3rd, headed 5th, weakened 7th, tailed off 4 out, pulled up before next
prominent, every chance 3 out, weakened between last two
tracked leaders, lost place approaching 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
with leaders, every chance 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out
Nonrunner
We end with a wide open looking Novice Handicap Hurdle that can go the way of handicap debutant KING FONTAINE, who looks fairly treated, with Shadow Dancer and Paddy Live making the shortlist. After not getting beaten that far but the top class novice Bensalem on his hurdles bow the selection then capped a run of good form with an easy victory on his reappearance run last time out. Overall his form lines look strong and he should be weighted to run a big race. Shadow Dancer is tricky to assess in these ranks and although he has shaped with plenty of ability while winning twice in three starts the pick seems to have tackled stronger opposition. Paddy Live is also making a handicap bow and has looked mildly progressive while Rookery Rebel can be considered after two good runs this campaign. It's a tricky race to fathom but King Fontaine looks to have marginally the strongest claims.
Shadow Dancer (IRE) 8-13fav (11-5) Not always fluent, chased winner to 3rd, mistake 5th, ridden after 3 out, went 2nd after 2 out but no impression, 2nd of 6, 4l behind Kingsben (11-0) at Bangor 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Paddy Live (FR) 3-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway to chase winner 4 out, ridden and outpaced 2 out, soon no impression, 2nd of 9, 11l behind Lord Generous (10-12) at Warwick 3m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd.
Rookery Rebel (IRE) 14-1 (11-1) Mid-division, went 4th approaching 4 out, 3rd next, no impression when left 2nd last, kept on same pace, 2nd of 13, 3l behind Arkendale (11-7) at Punchestown 2m hcp chs 0-109 sft in Oct.
Nomadic Warrior 6-1 (10-9) Tracked leader, weakened approaching last, 5th of 8, 23l behind American Art (10-7) at Cartmel 2m 1f 4yo nov hdl (4) gd in May.
Baltic Pathfinder (IRE) 4-1 (10-9) Close up on outside, joined leaders 7th, every chance when saddle slipped after 4 out, lost weight cloth and pulled up before next, in a race won by Frankie Anson (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) sft, 9 ran.
Mansonn Leda (FR) 10-1 (11-0) Behind until driven and kept on from 2 out, never nearer, 8th of 14, 25l behind River Logic (11-9) at Market Rasen 2m 3f cond hcp hdl 0-1115 (4) hvy.
Natural Action 20-1 (10-9) Held up mid-division, ridden approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 7th of 15, 9l behind Dot's Delight (10-5) at Fontwell 2m 4f cond nov hdl 4yo+ (4) gs.
Dark Gentleman 8-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, weakened from 4 out, blundered and unseated rider last, in a race won by Alfloramoor (11-1) at Doncaster 2m nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf in Feb, 16 ran.
Turtle Spirit 22-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, headway approaching 3 out, never troubled leaders, 4th of 14, 30l behind Going Wrong (10-12) at Carlisle 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) sft.
Overtly Blue (FR) 10-1 (11-9) Held up towards rear, ridden 6th, well behind next, tailed off, 12th of 14, well behind Trevian (11-1) at Worcester 2m 4f cond nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Jul.
Solway Ally 50-1 (10-0) Led, headed 3 out, soon ridden, rallied last, kept on flat, 3rd of 13, 5l behind Meridian City (10-12) at Aintree 2m 4f NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) gd in Oct.
King Fontaine (IRE) 7-4fav (10-12) Always prominent on inside, led 2 out, ridden, stayed on well flat, won at Hexham 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gs beating Qbuster (10-12) by 2 3/4l, 10 ran.
