tracked leaders, headway to lead 3 out, ridden and hard pressed when edged right between last 2, kept on until headed and no extra flat
always behind
raced keenly, soon in touch, lost place 3rd, soon behind
mid-division, effort after 4 out, 4th and no impression when mistake next, no extra
held up behind, headway 3 out, stayed on to go remote 3rd near finish, no chance with leading pair
mid-division, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off when pulled up before next
held up mid-division, headway and in touch after 4th, chased leading pair 3 out, soon no impression, lost 3rd near finish
chased leaders, driven and lost place after 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off
in rear, outpaced 3 out, never dangerous
led, headed after 4 out, soon ridden and weakened
in touch, driven and outpaced 3 out, weakened next
mid-division, weakened after 4 out, tailed off when blundered 2 out, pulled up before last
with leader, led after 4 out, headed next, not much room and switched left between last 2, soon ridden, rallied to lead again flat, held on
Richard Newland's Good Old Thyme sets a reasonable standard in this novices' hurdle but he faces no easy task under a penalty for his Leicester success on good ground in November and looks worth taking on with THE RUSTLIN RHINO, who can make a winning hurdling debut and gets the vote over Castlerock. Richie McLernon's mount looks the pick of Jonjo O'Neill's two runners in the race over bumper winner Full Of Joy, who disappointed on his first start over timber at Southwell recently. Having run well on his only start in a bumper, Castlerock could go close first time up over hurdles himself if handling the testing ground. David Pipe's Northern Jem showed a decent level of form on the flat when with Jane Chapple-Hyam and did win on soft ground but he has twice disappointed on testing ground over hurdles and now looks best watched with a better bet looking to be The Rustlin Rhino. Don McCain's gelding is another making his first start over hurdles but he showed that testing underfoot conditions were of no concern when a fair third in a Towcester bumper and he may be worth chancing.
Good Old Thyme (IRE) 15-2 (11-3) In touch, ridden to chase leader 2 out until approaching last, kept on one pace, 4th of 13, 11l behind Shadow Dancer (11-11) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Dec.
Castlerock 9-2 (10-9) Held up in rear, headway to track leaders over 3f out, one pace final 2f, 3rd of 10, 13l behind Cavingdon (11-0) at Chepstow 2m NH flat (6) gd in Oct.
Dancing Sword 80-1 (11-0) Held up, always behind, tailed off, 10th of 14, well behind Moghaayer (11-0) at Ludlow 2m mdn hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Everyman 9-2 (8-13) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 7, 4 1/2l behind Hollow Green (9-7) at Windsor 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Jul (flat).
Full Of Joy (IRE) 20-1 (11-1) Mid-division, outpaced 3 out, soon weakened, 11th of 14, 36l behind Tocca Ferro (11-4) at Southwell 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs.
Nobunaga 10-1 (10-0) Rear of mid-division, some headway entering straight, kept on one pace without threatening, 7th of 19, 15l behind Spinning Wings (8-7) at Curragh 1m 4f app stks gd in Jun (flat).
Northern Jem 14-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, jumped badly left and hampered rival 1st, driven after 3 out, struggling before next, 5th of 12, 20l behind Bothy (10-13) at Taunton 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) sft.
Pavanne (IRE) 16-1 (10-7) Chased leaders, ridden and outpaced 3 out, no impression from next, 4th of 11, 39l behind Silk Drum (10-9) at Kelso 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gd in Oct '08.
The Fox's Decree 25-1 (10-11) Held up mid-division, hit 3 out, soon chasing leader, hit last when weakening, 6th of 12, 29l behind Ocean Transit (10-7) at Taunton 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gs in Nov.
The Rustlin Rhino 2-1fav (11-0) Held up, ridden over 6f out, went a remote 3rd over 4f out, weakened 3f out, 3rd of 7, 30l behind Teenage Kicks (10-11) at Towcester 2m nhf (5) hvy in Nov.
Babilu 50-1 (10-5) Keen, mainly in rear, 7th of 13, 28l behind Makhzoon (10-12) at Leicester 2m cond nov hdl 4yo+ (4) hvy in Dec.
Spring Haze 150-1 (10-12) In touch, lost place after 5th, tailed off after next, 11th of 13, well behind Empty Sky (11-1) at Ludlow 2m nov clm hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Extreme Impact 100-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, under pressure and struggling from 3rd, tailed off, last of 8, 47l behind Me Voici (11-0) at Chepstow 2m 3yo hdl Grd 1 (1) hvy in Dec.
