headway approaching 3 out, soon weakened
towards rear when unseated rider 1st
chased leader, badly hampered 3rd, fell next
held up towards rear, ridden and some headway 3 out, weakened approaching next
in lead when ran out 1st
headway after 5th, led approaching 2 out, ridden and headed approaching last, no chance with winner
always towards rear
prominent, hit 3 out, soon ridden, weakening when hit next
hit 5th, soon behind
mid-division, prominent after 4th, ridden 2 out, hit last, kept on flat
held up and keen, some headway approaching 3 out, no impression
held up, headway after 5th, effort next, one pace 2 out
chased leaders, hit 5th, soon ridden and outpaced, stayed on again from 2 out
headway 5th, ridden to lead approaching last, stayed on well flat, comfortably
in touch, headway approaching 3 out, ridden and weakened approaching next
left in lead approaching 1st, hampered approaching 5th, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, soon weakened
in touch, ridden and behind from 3 out
Although there are several more experienced hurdlers in this seller, Heathyards Friend gets the TEAMtalk nod. Reg Hollinshead doesn't send out too many National Hunt runners, but this three-year-old made a promising hurdling bow at Bangor in August. He was a close second to the Martin Pipe-trained favourite Red Halo approaching the last, but went through the final flight, but stayed on at one pace to cling on to the runner-up spoils. He looks set to do better for that experience. Dazzling Rio would have an each-way squeak. He's been placed in two of his last three starts and could well do better in this company. Time Marches On is the preferred horse of a Mary Reveley-trained duo; he's been heavily penalised for winning a Kelso seller last time out. However, Fergal King's 5lb claim could prove useful and he shouldn't be ruled out. Sue Smith's enjoyed a recent purple patch and Magic Sound is her representative. This four-year-old was well beaten on his hurdles debut on heavy ground at Carlisle recently. This good to soft ground should suit better, he's got plenty of basic flat speed, his trainer sends out her fair share of novice winners and he should improve for that first run. Direct Descendent won an average Market Rasen seller - only his second hurdles start - by two-and-half lengths in September. He's been well-beaten since, but is low in the weights as a result, so cannot be ruled out of the finish.
