prominent, blundered 5th, one pace from 2 out
in touch, led 2 out, very easily
held up, headway approaching 2 out, soon driven and weakened
NINE STORIES is the pick with Gulf Coast and Seven Stars likely to present most problems. The Perth winner proved a bitter disappointment when stepped up in grade at Cheltenham but his presence appears to have scared off most of the meaningful opposition and we back him to bounce back here. Gulf Coast was modest on the flat. He picked up a weak Sedgefield hurdle though has been beaten on two occasions since. Seven Stars was poor when trained by Brian Meehan on the level. Time may show that he had little chance against the smart Starluck at Huntingdon. Actabou was a winning sprinter over six furlongs so doesn't exactly strike as the most obvious convert to hurdles. Victorias and Mardood make limited appeal on what they have shown over hurdles thus far. Nine Stories is hard to oppose and we seek not to.
Gulf Coast 12-1 (11-4) In touch, ridden and mistake 5th, soon weakened, 5th of 7, 31l behind Resounding Glory (11-4) at Wetherby 2m lst nov hdl (1) gf in Oct.
Nine Stories (IRE) 5-2fav (11-2) Held up towards rear, mistake 2nd, blundered 5th, headway approaching 3 out, weakening when mistake last, 4th of 12, 8l behind Simarian (11-1) at Cheltenham 2m 3yo nov hdl (3) gd in Oct.
Actabou 16-1 (9-2) Chased leaders, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 15th of 18, 14l behind Apollo Shark (9-4) at Redcar 6f hcp 0-65 (6) gs in Sept (Flat).
Mardood 100-1 (10-12) Towards rear, weakened from 5th, 13th of 14, well behind Banquet (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 3yo mdn hdl (5) gd in Nov.
Victorias 40-1 (10-2) Held up, behind, ridden 4 out, soon beaten, 9th of 13, 32l behind La Fortalesa (10-12) at Newcastle 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Seven Stars 100-1 (10-9) Held up towards rear, headway on outside approaching 2 out, weakening when not fluent last, 3rd of 11, 14l behind Starluck (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.