mid-division, headway 5th, led after 3 out, soon ridden, headed approaching next, kept on same pace
mid-division, smooth headway 3 out, challenged next, every chance last, ridden and no extra flat
mistakes, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
blundered 1st, mid-division, outpaced 3 out, never on terms
blundered 1st, mid-division, weakened 3 out
mid-division, headway under pressure 3 out, ridden and chased leaders next, kept on
raced keenly, led to 2nd, left in lead again approaching 4th, headed next, weakened after 3 out
chased leaders, weakened 3 out, pulled up before next
chased leaders, outpaced after 3 out, ridden and kept on under pressure from next
mid-division, headway 5th, ridden and effort 2 out, kept on same pace
raced keenly, with leader, went right and led 2nd, saddle slipped and headed approaching 4th, soon pulled up
left start, blundered 5th, tailed off when pulled up before last
behind, lost touch and pulled up before 5th
chased leaders, led 5th to after 3 out, led again approaching next, ridden and kept on flat
mistakes, soon behind, never dangerous
In an interesting novices hurdle, recent winner River Logic gets the nod ahead of newcomers Ahmedy and Cooperstown. Alan Brown's gelding won very pleasingly agaisnt the consistent Carrietau eight days ago at Sedgefield, and a repeat of that form could be enough to take this event. He showed that he loved cut in the ground on that occasion and that could prove invaluable today. Cooperstown goes hurdling after just two starts on the flat, and this 140,000 euros purchase could prove to be the main danger to the selection. The powerful stable of Howard Johnson has been in good form this season, and at a track where he enjoys plenty of success, his gelding can be expected to go well on his debut. Ahmedy was a fairly good horse on the flat, and takes to hurdles in the hope of further improving his trainer's already impressive course record, so has to go on the shortlist, whilst at bigger prices fellow newcomers Norman Beckett and Floodlight Fantasy could go well. Another to mention is Peter Bowen's recruit from the flat Markington. However, whilst the newcomers could be anything, River Logic has experience on his side and will love further rain, so he gets the tentative vote.
River Logic (IRE) 4-1 (10-12) Raced keenly, tracked leaders, headway to lead approaching 2 out, ridden before last, stayed on well, won at Sedgefield 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (4) gs beating Carrietau (11-5) by 9l, 13 ran.
Ahmedy (IRE) 25-1 (9-1) Slowly into stride, held up in rear, headway on outside over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 5th of 14, 2l behind dhtrs Go Figure (9-4) & Tommy Toogood (9-4) at Lingfield 1m 2f 3yo hcp (4) pol in Oct (Flat).
Augustus Livius (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Raced keenly, with leader, lost place 5th, soon behind, 5th of 13, 45l behind River Logic (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (4) gs.
Cooperstown 6-4fav (9-3) Slowly into stride, pushed along to soon chase leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on to chase winner inside final furlong, no impression, 2nd of 10, 7l behind Amwaal (9-3) at Pontefract 1m 3yo mdn (5) gs in Oct (Flat).
Emotive 20-1 (9-0) Held up towards rear, stayed on final furlong, not reach leaders, 7th of 16, 7l behind Bank On Benny (8-8) at Salisbury 1m app hcp (6) gd in Sept (Flat).
Floodlight Fantasy 7-1 (9-3) In touch, ridden over 1f out, led inside final furlong, all out, won at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Oct beating Peruvian Prince (9-7) by a shd, 13 ran (Flat).
Markington 12-1 (8-12) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 10th of 12, 9l behind Mull of Dubai (8-4) at Beverley 1m 4f 3yo hcp (4) gf in Sept (Flat).
Mister Becks (IRE) 100-1 (10-5) Always behind, 11th of 13, well behind Altilhar (10-12) at Fakenham 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gd.
Mister Pete (IRE) 125-1 (10-5) In touch, outpaced 2 out, soon weakened, 6th of 13, 46l behind River Logic (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (4) gs.
Norman Beckett 4-1 (9-0) Made all, ridden over 3f out, drew clear over 1f out, won at Ayr 1m 1f 3yo clm (5) hvy in Oct beating Stolen Glance (8-12) by 5l, 9 ran (Flat).
Opera Writer (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Held up, pulled hard, headway approaching 4 out, mistake next, weakening when fell at the last in race won by Tritonix (11-5) at Huntingdon 2m 3yo nov hdl (2) gd, 5 ran.
Patavium (IRE) 16-1 (8-8) Led, swerved right after 5f, remained in front, headed over 3f out, soon beaten, 4th of 7, 39l behind Mighty Moon (8-9) at Catterick 1m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) sft in Oct (Flat).
Stolen Summer (IRE) 20-1 (10-7) Raced keen, led 3rd, headed 5th, weakened approaching 3 out, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Categorical (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 3yo mdn hdl (5) sft, 9 ran.
Alarm Call 150-1 (10-5) Always behind, tailed off, 11th of 13, well behind River Logic (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (4) gs.
Impeccable Guest (IRE) 5-1 (9-3) Prominent, ridden along over 3f out, driven and one pace final 2f, 2nd of 13, 7l behind Cragganmore Creek (9-3) at Southwell 1m 4f banded stk (7) fbs (Flat).
Rosthwaite (IRE) 33-1 (8-5) Always behind, 13th of 16, 12l behind Sapphire Storm (8-7) at Catterick 7f fll hcp (6) gf in Sept (Flat).
