held up and keen, ridden and weakened after 4 out
tracked leaders, led approaching 5 out, headed and weakened after 4 out, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
tracked leaders, chased winner 3 out, kept on, no impression
held up, headway 4 out, chased leaders next, one pace
tracked leaders, weakened approaching 4 out, pulled up before next
held up, weakened 4 out
tracked leaders and keen, went 3rd 2 out, no impression
held up, chased leaders approaching 4 out, led approaching 3 out, kept on well
led, headed approaching 5 out, quickly lost place, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
A poor Novices' Hurdle and a chance is taken with OCARINA, who just edges the vote ahead of Simonside, Samizdat, and Polobury. The last named acts well with cut in the ground and, assuming there is sufficient cut in the ground, she is capable of making the frame. The fact she is still a maiden after 18 previous starts does add plenty of risk to any plans for any win only bets, though. Samizdat can be keen his races and often saves little in reserve for a final push. However, this is a modest contest and he cannot be discounted at this level. Rebeccas Choice is also worth a mention, as he a lightly raced type that may be suited to racing in this grade - he is certainly one of the longest travellers for the meagre prize-money on offer and connections deserve reward for that fact alone. Simonside is capable under both codes of racing and, having won at Carlisle on the flat during the summer; he obviously handles the stiff nature of the course. However, he may not want the ground to too testing so a quick update on the going is recommended before wading in with the joint top weight. Irrespective of the ground, it's ex-Irish Orcarina that makes more appeal for a punt on this occasion. More noted as a chaser, Orcarina reverts to hurdles on an 8lb lower rating than his chase mark; which leaves him with obvious claims if he can rekindle the sparkle he showed before his enforced absence. Simonside is recommended as the best alternative if the market produces an adverse reaction to the selection's long lay-off.
Simonside 9-2 (11-11) Led until headed 3rd and stayed in touch, ridden 3 out and weakened from next, 7th of 14, 15l behind Longdale (10-11) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Ocarina (FR) 15-2 (11-5) Close up, blundered when challenged 11th, one pace, 3rd of 8, 6l behind Deuteronomy (9-9) at Newcastle 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy in Apr '08.
Lets Go Girls 4-1 (10-12) In touch, ridden 3 out, weakened next, 6th of 12, 30l behind Smarties Party (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 4f mrs nov hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Of Course (FR) 28-1 (10-13) Close up on outside, ridden and weakened after 4 out, 14th of 18, well behind Cassius (11-2) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Mar.
Samizdat (FR) 8-1 (11-7) Raced keenly and soon tracking leader, under pressure 3 out, weakened next, 6th of 12, 19l behind Cinaman (10-3) at Carlisle 3m 1f am nov hcp hdl 0-90 (5) sft.
O'Sogood (IRE) 20-1 (11-3) In rear, reminders 9th, weakened 4 out, left remote 3rd 2 out, 3rd of 5, well behind Easby Park (11-9) at Wetherby 3m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Polobury 16-1 (10-10) In rear and not fluent, outpaced 3rd, tailed off and pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Astyanax (10-13) at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in Apr, 12 ran.
Rebeccas Choice (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Led to 5th, chased leaders, went 2nd after 8th to next, soon weakened, tailed off, 4th of 9, well behind Zemsky (10-12) at Plumpton 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Mar.
Do It For Dalkey 40-1 (11-0) Held up mid-division, chased leaders 5 out, ridden after next, weakened from 3 out, 8th of 12, 46l behind Little Lu (10-7) at Wetherby 2m 3f mdn hdl (6) gf in May '08.
Miss Colima 40-1 (10-10) Mid-division, effort after 7th, ridden 9th, behind and beaten from next, 10th of 11, well behind Barton Grey (11-7) at Kelso 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gd in Mar.
