chased leaders, ridden approaching last, chased winner flat, no impression
tracked leader, challenged 3 out, ridden and outpaced approaching last, kept on, lost 3rd towards finish
held up in mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, stayed on from last to take 3rd towards finish
held up in rear, badly hampered 4 out and unseated rider
led, jumped slowly 1st and 2nd, headed next, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out
chased leaders, led 3rd, headed approaching and outpaced when fell 3 out
chased leaders, led approaching 3 out, clear approaching last
towards rear, pushed along in rear approaching 4 out, soon tailed off
held up towards rear, mid-division when blundered and unseated rider 4 out
towards rear on outer, pushed along and headway to chase leader approaching 3 out, weakened going to next
Vincenzio could go well in this claiming hurdle but NOVIKOV has outstanding claims and gets the vote. David Evans has booked the champ Tony McCoy for the ride on the top weight here, and they have plenty in hand at the weights. The Danehill Dancer gelding has to put a poor effort behind him from last time, but previous runs would be comfortably good enough to win this and he goes on any ground, so we will confidently side with him. Vincenzio won a Towcester handicap hurdle on good ground from a 9lb lower mark than he races from today, and while recent efforts have not been too encouraging he looks likely to benefit from the switch to this grade and looks next best in the contest. First Bay was too bad to be true last time, but previous form would give him a decent chance of picking up some prize money at these weights. Money for Vertueux would be interesting given his trainer's record in this sort of contest, but clear preference is for Novikov.
Novikov 6-1 (11-0) Mid-division, not fluent 4th, headway next, weakening when jumped left 3 out, pulled up before last, in a race won by Marodima (10-12) at Ludlow 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in Feb, 9 ran.
Highest Esteem 16-1 (11-2) Held up, hampered 2nd, closed after 4th, ridden 6th, weakened after 3 out, 10th of 14, 35l behind Bedizen (11-5) at Stratford 2m nov hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Apr.
Vertueux (FR) 5-1 (10-13) Led to 1st, chased leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, soon beaten, 4th of 11, 11l behind Jordan's Light (10-12) at Ludlow 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Dec.
Vincenzio (IRE) 16-1 (11-8) Held up mid-division, weakened approaching 2 out, 11th of 18, 40l behind Stagecoach Pearl (11-5) at Doncaster 2m nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Dec.
We're Delighted 25-1 (11-4) Took keen hold in mid-division, blundered 3rd, headway 5th, weakened 3 out, tailed off, 10th of 11, 49l behind Zen Factor (11-0) at Huntingdon 2m nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Feb.
Little Blackbeetle 14-1 (10-11) Raced on inside, chased leaders, under pressure 6f out, one pace final 3f, tailed off, 7th of 14, well behind Dusky Bob (11-4) at Plumpton 2m 2f mdn NH flat (6) gs in Feb.
Bubses Boy 150-1 (10-5) Chased leader, hit 3rd, weakened before 3 out, tailed off, 5th of 12, 47l behind Advisor (10-12) at Newbury 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Santera (IRE) 20-1 (11-5) Behind, under pressure before 4 out, soon no impression, 8th of 14, 16l behind Runaround Sue (10-6) at Hereford 2m 4f mrs hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gf in Jun.
Duke of Urbino 33-1 (10-9) Always behind, tailed off when pulled up before last, in a race won by Jeronimo Joe (10-7) at Catterick 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) gs in Feb, 16 ran.
First Bay (IRE) 5-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders in 4th, blundered 4 out, soon weakened, 8th of 9, well behind Orsippus (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m 4yo nov hcp hdl (4) gd in Feb.
Owls Fc (IRE) 200-1 (9-12) Held up, blundered 5th, never dangerous, 11th of 16, 40l behind Jeronimo Joe (10-7) at Catterick 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) gs in Feb.
