in touch, hit 4 out, soon outpaced, weakened next, tailed off
mid-division, headway on outside after 4 out, effort next, went 2nd after 2 out, switched right before last, ridden and kept on same pace flat
held up behind, headway and in touch 7th, outpaced before 3 out, soon weakened
led narrowly to 4th, in touch, regained narrow lead after 7th, headed 4 out, soon weakened, behind when pulled up before next
always behind, reminders after 3rd, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
mid-division, weakened 4 out, behind when pulled up before next
held up towards rear, steady headway 4 out, driven next, led approaching 2 out, went left last, driven out flat
tracked leaders, outpaced 4 out, ridden and weakened after next
with leaders, led narrowly when hit 4th, headed after 7th, weakened from 3 out
tracked leaders, close up when hit 4 out, soon challenged, led before next, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, no chance with front pair before last
mid-division, struggling 7th, weakened, 4 out, behind when pulled up before 3 out
with leaders on inside, led 4 out, driven and headed before next, soon ridden and one pace, weakened from 2 out
Nonrunner
Mister Newby did a bit better last time at Towcester but is still 6lb higher than when springing a surprise at Newbury in March. Wicked Spice steps out of novice company off the back of a poor run at Kelso while stablemate Streams Of Whiskey is probably having a confidence-booster. The handicapper appears to have a firm grip on veteran Solway Sam and Frontier Vic has been creeping up the weights despite not winning, though should be thereabouts again. ORBY'S MAN hasn't done a lot wrong since winning a Worcester maiden hurdle in September. He gets a tentative vote today as he probably has more scope than the majority of his rivals.
Prince Of Pirates (IRE) 40-1 (10-13) In rear, not fluent 1st or 5th, well beaten from 7th, tailed off, 9th of 11, well behind Volnay De Thaix (11-12) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-150 (2) sft.
Streams Of Whiskey (IRE) 5-2fav (11-12) Prominent, led 4th, headed 6th, bad mistake and lost place 12th, soon last, jumped slowly and losing touch from next, pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Always Right (11-2) at Ayr 3m 1f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Oct, 8 ran.
Mister Newby (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, headway approaching 2 out, one pace before last, no impression, hanging right flat, 5th of 9, 6l behind Malibu Sun (10-13) at Towcester 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gd.
Orby's Man (IRE) 9-2 (11-8) Chased leaders on outside, ridden and pressing for 2nd before 2 out, stayed on same pace last, 3rd of 9, 3 1/2l behind Malibu Sun (10-13) at Towcester 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gd.
Azure Aware (IRE) 6-1 (11-10) Raced on inside, held up towards rear, pushed along before 4 out, soon struggling, never on terms, 5th of 9, 25l behind Audacious Plan (11-4) at Ffos Las 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gs in Oct.
Taruma (FR) 4-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, took keen hold, mistake 9th, not much room on inside after 3 out, led before next, clear when mistake last, ridden out, won at Perth 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Jul '13 beating Winter Alchemy (10-8) by 3l, 7 ran.
Wicked Spice (IRE) 4-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, headway 4 out, chased leaders 2 out, one pace, 5th of 11, 18l behind Mo Rouge (10-9) at Kelso 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Total Assets 20-1 (11-5) Led, jumped left in places, headed approaching 2 out, weakened last, 5th of 9, 16l behind Nexius (11-12) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gd.
Solway Sam 6-1 (10-6) Led until approaching 3 out, rallied next, kept on well under pressure, 2nd of 10, 7l behind Silver Dragon (10-9) at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (4) sft.
Frontier Vic 7-2 (11-5) Jumped right, awkward and unseated rider 1st, in a race won by Tothemoonandback (11-9) at Huntingdon 3m nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft, 6 ran.
Harry The Lemmon (IRE) 5-1 (11-2) Led until approaching 2nd, chased leader until approaching 9th, pushed along in close 3rd when fell 9th, in a race won by Too Cool To Fool (10-0) at Ayr 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (4) sft in Jan '13, 12 ran.
Westerly Breeze (IRE) 7-1 (10-5) Led, reminders after 6 out, headed before 3 out, soon weakened, 4th of 6, 35l behind Tullyesker Hill (11-12) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft.
The Winking Prawn (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) Led until 2nd, not fluent and led 6th, not fluent and headed 8th, jumped right 3 out, one pace and no impression, 3rd of 7, 9l behind Sykes (11-0) at Worcester 2m 7f mdn hdl (5) gd in Oct.
