prominent on inner, challenged 2 out, led narrowly after last, hard ridden run-in, headed towards finish, lost 2nd close home
held up towards rear on inner, mistake and unseated rider 1st
chased leaders, went 2nd approaching 3 out, ridden and weakened before last
held up in touch, weakened before 3 out, mistake and unseated rider last
mistakes, always behind, tailed off from before 4 out
tracked leaders, ridden to lead before 3 out, headed narrowly after last, kept on gamely run-in, took 2nd close home
led, headed before 3 out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, headway before 3 out, ridden before last, kept on to lead towards finish, just held on
in rear and mistakes, soon struggling, tailed off before 4 out
tracked leaders and keen, not fluent 1st and 2nd, mistake 4 out, soon lost place, weakened before next
Andhaar has already won at Wetherby and Market Rasen this season but must give at least 14lb to his rivals as a result. Whispering Death was a thorough stayer on the Flat but has been lightly raced in recent years and probably doesn't have much scope. Bumper winner Milgen Bay has been placed in both starts over timber but was tried over further at Ludlow last time and could find this an insufficient test of stamina. BRUNSTON, therefore, gets the vote on his introduction to hurdling. Successful three times on the Flat for Roger Charlton up to 1m3f, the grey will enjoy the good ground here and seems to go well fresh. He may have too much speed for these if jumping adequately.
Andhaar 10-11fav (11-5) Tracked leaders in 3rd, went 2nd after 3rd, hit 2 out, soon led, hit last, stayed on well, won at Market Rasen 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Nov beating Taketimeout (10-12) by 5l, 6 ran.
Artic Night (FR) 125-1 (11-2) Towards rear, pushed along 6th, weakened before 4 out, 11th of 16, 28l behind Lively Baron (11-8) at Ayr 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gs.
Brunston 22-1 (8-3) Mid-division, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace, no impression final furlong, 10th of 22, 10l behind Times Up (8-13) at Doncaster 1m 4f hcp (2) gs in Nov (flat).
December 11-1 (8-10) Soon led and set strong pace, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened well over 1f out, 6th of 8, 12l behind Talent Scout (9-0) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp (6) pol in Nov (flat).
Dennis Doyle (IRE) Trans Island gelding out of Lucy Liu.
Milgen Bay 9-4fav (10-12) Tracked leader, led approaching 3 out, soon headed and ridden, switched right before last, one pace flat, 3rd of 6, 2 1/2l behind Badgers Cove (10-12) at Ludlow 2m 5f NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) gs in Nov.
Okalydokely (IRE) 50-1 (11-5) Always behind, completely tailed off, 16th of 17, well behind Ireland's Call (11-7) at Limerick 2m hdl gd in Jul '09.
Whispering Death 9-4 (11-0) Held up, chased winner 2 out, shaken up approaching last, no extra, 2nd of 10, 5l behind Manor Park (11-0) at Wetherby 2m mdn hdl (5) gf in Oct '09.
Drop The Hammer 9-2 (10-7) Tracked leader, mistake 4 out, soon weakened, 7th of 11, well behind Dorabelle (11-3) at Wetherby 2m mrs nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Perjury 100-1 (10-7) Always behind, 14th of 17, 45l behind Shuil Royale (11-0) at Warwick 2m NH flat (6) sft in Dec.
