mid-division, headway 4 out, weakened before 2 out
left prominent, left in lead after 4th, headed 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off when blundered 2 out, pulled up before last
held up mid-division, never dangerous
held up in touch, hung right and lost place on stable turn after 4th, never dangerous after
prominent, led 4 out, headed before last, stayed on
towards rear, headway 4 out, never on terms
led and soon 15 lengths clear, hung badly right and ran out on stable turn after 4th
prominent, hung badly right on stable turn after 4th, soon lost place and in rear, behind when pulled up 4 out
prominent, hung badly right on stable turn after 4th, soon mid-division, headway 4 out, chased leader next, weakened 2 out
behind, blundered badly 2nd, not jumped well after, behind when pulled up last
held up in touch, good headway 4 out, every chance next, weakened 2 out
held up, headway 4 out, never on terms
held up in touch, chased leaders 3 out, every chance approaching last, stayed on well
held up mid-division, headway 4 out, ridden to lead before last, ran on well
What A Friend and Spare Cash join Bayberry King on the shortlist here and it is What A Friend who is taken to oblige. Only beaten a length on his hurdling debut at the track, the selection looks a nice staying prospect in the making and looks bound to be involved in the finish if this becomes a bit of a slog in the mud. He was very green and he should know more today. He holds Spare Cash on that form having finished a place in advance of him and both should go well again. Hillridge should not be overlooked on his hurdling debut, whilst So Now may just need the run returning from a long absence; he looks sure to be one to keep an eye on later in the season. Alfred's Tower looked a surefire improver when fourth on his debut as he ran very green, whilst Bayberry King belied odds on 100/1 when nearly causing an upset last time. An open looking race and narrow preference is for What A Friend.
Alfred's Tower 66-1 (10-12) Towards rear, stayed on from 3 out, always held, 4th of 17, 17l behind Sharajan (10-12) at Lingfield 2m 3f nov hdl (4) hvy.
Bayberry King (USA) 100-1 (10-12) Took keen hold early, prominent, lost place approaching 2 out, soon ridden, kept on to chase winner towards finish, 2nd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Evelith Echo (10-12) at Bangor 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Chevy To The Levy (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) Mid-divison, ridden and weakened 4f out, 9th of 16, 27l behind Run For Moor (11-0) at Chepstow 2m nhf (6) gd in Oct.
Coast Of Malabar (IRE) 7-2 (11-9) Prominent, 3rd halfway, 2nd 6f out, challenged approaching straight, soon no extra, 9th of 13, 17l behind Itsmylife (11-4) at Clonmel 2m nhf gd in Nov.
Cool Cliche 3-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened 4 out, 14th of 16, well behind Breedsbreeze (11-0) at Chepstow 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gd in Nov.
Global Strategy 6-1 (9-11) Led, ridden and headed over 3f out, weakened rapidly from 2f out, tailed off, last of 7, 27l behind Grande Caiman (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 5f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Nov (Flat).
Hammer Time (IRE) 3-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, led 9f out, headed 5f out, weakened over 3f out, 9th of 10, well behind Paddy Live (10-7) at Towcester 2m nhf (5) gs.
Hillridge 11-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders and keen, ridden to chase leaders over 3f out, kept on to lead final strides, won at Chepstow 2m nhf (6) gd in Mar beating Chevy To The Levy (11-4) by a shd, 13 ran.
Lord Lescribaa (FR) 20-1 (11-2) Always in rear, 12th of 16, 48l behind Kingston Lane (11-2) at Chepstow 2m nhf (6) gs in Nov.
Mr Dass (IRE) Bob's Return gelding, half-brother to winning chaser Designer Label.
Piper Hayes (IRE) 6-4fav (11-3) Tracked leaders throughout, ridden to lead 4f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 2nd of 15, 6l behind Khumbu (11-3) at Hereford 2m 1f mdn nhf (6) gf in Jun.
Saddler George (IRE) 66-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened over 3f out, 9th of 16, 15l behind Take Me There (11-7) at Hereford 2m 1f nhf (6) gs.
So Now (IRE) 4-1 (10-12) Held up in mid-division, pecked badly 2nd, headway 3 out, ridden 2 out, kept on same pace from last, 4th of 10, 8l behind Mossville (10-2) at Wincanton 2m 6f nov hdl (4) gs in Oct '06.
Spare Cash (IRE) 17-2 (10-12) In touch, headway 6th, ridden to chase leaders 4 out, one pace flat, 3rd of 16, 2l behind Carruthers (10-12) at Chepstow 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
What A Friend 4-1 (10-12) Held up, headway 7th, led 2 out, hung left and mistake last, soon headed, not recover, 2nd of 16, 1l behind Carruthers (10-12) at Chepstow 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Gulf (IRE) 100-1 (8-12) Missed break, held up, pushed along 3f out, soon beaten, 6th of 7, 23l behind Shirocco (9-3) at Newmarket 1m 4f Grp 2 (1) sft in May '06 (Flat).
