keen hold, settled in mid-division, headway to track leaders frorm 3rd, weakened soon after 2 out
raced wide, close up, led 4 out, pressed and hit 2 out, ridden and narrowly headed last, rallied to regain lead flat, driven out
behind, headway 4 out, chased leading pair from 2 out, soon one pace
mid-division, behind from 4 out, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
held up in rear, lost touch 4 out, pulled up before next
chased leaders, weakened 4 out, mistake 2 out
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before last
held up in mid-division, brief effort under pressure 3 out, weakened before next
always behind, struggling 4 out
led, under pressure from 4th, mistake and headed 5th, weakened and blundered 3 out, pulled up before next
behind, stayed on under pressure from 3 out, never going pace to reach leaders
chased leaders, hit 3rd, stayed prominent, mistake and weakened 4 out
held up in rear, steady headway approaching 4 out, joined winner 2 out, narrow lead last, headed and not quicken flat
Fandani, Earth Man and Portavadie look the three to look out for in this hurdle with the vote just going to the last named. Although carrying top weight Portavadie has some good form figures next to his name winning three from seven outings. His latest wins did come in ordinary looking handicaps and this is his toughest test to date so far but if able to step up an extra gear he can warm to his task and get the better of his rivals. Fandani is unexposed with only three runs to his name so far. He broke his duck at Wincanton back in May on good fast ground so he may be unsuited by the slow ground conditions. Earth Man is another to note but the Paul Nicholls horses are looking in need of a run this year so he may strip fitter next time out. So for the winner we return to Portavadie.
Portavadie 15-2 (11-8) Took keen hold in touch, led 5th, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, one pace, 2nd of 7, 4l behind Natal (11-0) at Stratford 2m nov hdl (C) gd in May.
Itsmyboy (IRE) 11-8fav (11-12) Held up, headway to be in touch 8th, badly outpaced next, stayed on under pressure flat, 4th of 12, 10l behind Stern (10-12) at Plumpton 2m 5f nov hdl (E) gd.
Fandani (GER) Evensfav (11-4) Held up, headway after 5th, switched right approaching 2 out, every chance between last 2, not fluent last, no extra, 3rd of 7, 6l behind Natal (11-0) at Stratford 2m nov hdl (C) gd in May.
Earth Man (IRE) 7-4 (11-4) Tracked leader throughout, ridden 2 out, every chance last, no extra, 2nd of 11, 3 1/2l behind Fandani (10-12) at Wincanton 2m nov hdl (E) gd in May.
Mister Mustard (IRE) 15-8fav (11-8) Held up, headway approaching 3f out, soon ridden, 5th and weakening when fell 2 out in race won by Smart Boy Prince (11-4) at Towcester 2m nov hdl (D) gf, 6 ran.
Smart Boy Prince (IRE) 11-4 (11-4) Made all, ridden approaching last, ran on, won at Towcester 2m nov hdl (D) gf beating Anticipating (11-4) by 3 1/2l, 6 ran.
Almizan (IRE) 8-1 (11-5) In touch, headway to chase leading pair approaching 3 out, stayed on same pace from next, 3rd of 12, 9l behind Stern (10-12) at Plumpton 2m 5f nov hdl (E) gd.
Anticipating 13-2 (11-5) Held up racing keenly, mistake 8th, effort 3 out, weakened before next, 5th of 12, 13l behind Stern (10-12) at Plumpton 2m 5f nov hdl (E) gd.
Tom Bell (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) Held up rear, headway after 4th, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, one pace approaching last, 4th of 16, 7l behind Rimsky (10-12) at Chepstow 2m nov hdl (E) gs.
Supply And Fix (IRE) 7-1 (11-11) Led to 4th, weakened approaching 3 out, 7th of 12, 36l behind Snow's Ride (11-4) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nov hdl (E) gf in Sept.
Reem Two 10-3 (10-11) Led, headed after 6th, close up until outpaced between last 2, 2nd of 7, 6l behind Ostfanni (11-10) at Hexham 2m 4f mrs nov hdl (E) gf in Sept.
Carte Sauvage (USA) 17-2 (11-0) Tracked leaders, not fluent 4th, ridden to chase leaders 6th, ran on after last, 2nd of 15, 3 1/2l behind Magical Legend (10-0) at Stratford 2m mdn hdl (D) gd.
Theocritus (GER) 33-1 (11-4) In touch, ridden and outpaced 5th, stayed on, 5th of 16, 19l behind Rimsky (10-12) at Chepstow 2m nov hdl (E) gs.
Gold Guest 7-1 (10-11) Held up in mid-division, hampered 1st, ridden after 3 out, ran on well from last, 4th of 14, 5l behind Nanga Parbat (11-5) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gd.
