held up mid-division, headway to chase leaders approaching 5th, weakened 4 out, tailed off
held up behind, never dangerous
close up, jumped slow 1st, hit 4th, one pace from 2 out
in touch, ridden after 3 out, chased winner after 2 out, one pace
held up and keen, weakened 4 out
tracked leaders, led 2nd, ridden and hit last, driven out
tracked leaders, chased winner 5th until ridden and mistake 2 out, one pace
tracked leaders and keen, weakened after 3 out
led to 2nd, tracked leaders, not fluent 4 out, weakened after next
always towards rear
King Gabriel, Mohayer and Kanad hold the best hurdling form, whilst Manhattan Boy is an interesting newcomer for a big stable, with the tentative vote going to Charlie Mann's Kanad. King Gabriel ran well on his hurdling debut at Worcester back in March at huge odds, however the fact that he has been off the track for over six months may be a slight worry to his supporters. Mohayer ran well on his reappearance and will surely present a live threat as he may well benefit from that run where he ran slightly greenly, whilst German import Manhattan Boy represents the powerful yard of Phillip Hobbs, and surely has to be feared at a track that the trainer has had considerable success at. However, for the selection we return to Kanad who put in an eye-catching performance at Cheltenham a fortnight ago. In a classier field, Kanad finished well under a considerate ride and it is possible that today this smart flat performer can provide Charlie Mann with a welcome winner.
Ahaz 125-1 (10-5) Not fluent 2nd, always behind, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Shingle Street (11-8) at Stratford 2m sll hdl (4) sft in Oct, 13 ran.
Celticello (IRE) 66-1 (10-9) Took keen hold early, always towards rear, 10th of 12, well behind Wotchalike (10-7) at Exeter 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Hot Zone (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Always behind, no impression, 5th of 9, 30l behind Pepporoni Pete (10-12) at Wincanton 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Oct.
Kanad 25-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, steady headway into mid-divison 3 out, ridden after 2 out, kept on steadily run-in, 5th of 18, 19l behind Roll Along (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m mdn hdl (3) gs in Oct.
King Gabriel (IRE) 66-1 (10-9) Took keen hold, held up, headway approaching 3 out, stayed on same pace from 2 out, 3rd of 11, 5l behind Tech Eagle (11-7) at Worcester 2m nov hdl (4) gf in Apr.
Manhattan Boy (GER) (9-0) behind Silex (9-2) at Baden-Baden 1m stk gd in Sept, 11 ran (Flat).
Mohayer (IRE) 5-1 (10-8) Pulled hard, in touch, ridden and hung left after 2 out, hung left again after last, not quicken close home, 3rd of 7, 3/4l behind Royal Attraction (10-11) at Bangor 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Oct.
Opio (FR) 33-1 (11-0) Held up, ridden and weakened approaching 4 out, 6th of 11, well behind Astarador (11-0) at Wetherby 2m nov hdl (3) sft in Oct.
William Butler (IRE) 14-1 (10-10) Always in rear, lost touch 7th and pulled up at the 10th in race won by Midnight Gold (11-2) at Bangor 2m 4f nov chs (4) gf in Jul, 7 ran.
Falcon's Tribute (IRE) 25-1 (10-5) Held up in rear, weakened approaching 3 out, 7th of 9, 40l behind Orpen Wide (11-2) at Cartmel 2m 1f 4yo nov hdl (4) gs in May.
Harpurs Girl 25-1 (10-7) With leader, led 3rd to 6th, weakened approaching 3 out, 9th of 11, 40l behind Albertas Run (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Oct.