raced on inside, held up, smooth headway before 3 out, soon tracking leader, challenged on bit 2 out, led before last, came clear flat, easily
unsighted 1st, held up in touch, reminders after 4th, weakened and no impression when hit 3 out and next, tailed off
in touch, lost place 4th, behind when went left 3 out, tailed off
chased leaders until weakened from 3 out
chased leader until ridden before 3 out, stayed on same pace from next
led, ridden and hit 3 out, joined next, already headed when went left last, no chance with winner when lost 2nd flat
held up towards rear, no impression 3 out
not fluent, always in rear, tailed off
always towards rear, ridden along 3rd, last and struggling 4 out, tailed off
held up in rear, some headway on outside before 3 out, no impression soon after
chased leading trio on inside, went 3rd after 4 out, 2nd before next until 2 out, stayed on to well held 2nd again flat, never any chance with winner
Advisor will be spot on now after a recent win in a bumper at Kempton and there is more to come over hurdles from him. The same comment applies to Open Day on his seasonal debut while Karasenir is less than fluent over timber but continues on an upward curve nonetheless. SALDEN LICHT has won two of his four starts over hurdles. A creditable fifth in the November Handicap on the Flat at Doncaster in the autumn suggests Alan King's charge can prove too good for these on his return to hurdling. He gets the vote with the progressive duo Salontyre and Warne's Way upped in class here.
Salden Licht 4-1 (11-4) Mid-division, headway 3 out, led after next, headed last, ridden and kept on same pace flat, 2nd of 9, 4l behind Captain Chris (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 1f nh nov hdl (2) gd in Apr.
Advisor (FR) 8-1 (11-0) Prominent, pushed up to challenge 2f out, led 1f out, soon ridden, hard pressed final 100 yards, edged left towards finish, held on close home, won at Kempton 2m Nat Hunt Flat (4yo+) (AWT) (4) std in Dec beating Eradicate (10-9) by hd, 8 ran.
Open Day (IRE) 12-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders on inside, took keen hold, weakened 3 out, 22nd of 24, well behind Sanctuaire (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m 4yo nov hcp hdl Grd 3 (1) gd in Mar.
Karasenir (IRE) 8-13fav (11-8) Tracked leader, led when not fluent 3 out, mistake 2 out, joined last, soon headed, no extra towards finish, 2nd of 18, 1 3/4l behind Andhaar (11-0) at Wetherby 2m nh nov hdl (3) gd in Oct.
Alfie Spinner (IRE) 10-3fav (11-4) Mid-division, headway 6th, outpaced after next, stayed on flat, 5th of 13, 12l behind Mcmurrough (10-5) at Haydock 2m 4f nov hcp hdl (2) hvy in Apr.
Hunterview 20-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders, outpaced approaching 2 out, soon ridden and lost place, weakened last, 11th of 17, 25l behind L'Accordioniste (11-9) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Dec.
Salontyre (GER) 8-1 (10-2) Mid-division, headway 4th, challenged approaching last, kept on from last, held towards finish, 2nd of 18, 1/2l behind Requin (10-2) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Dec.
Optimus Maximus (IRE) 11-1 (10-11) Held up, brought down on bend after 3rd, in a race won by Mous Of Men (10-6) at Sandown 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gd in Apr, 16 ran.
Warne's Way (IRE) 7-2fav (11-0) With leader on outer, led approaching 6th, ridden and headed last, rallied flat to regain lead towards finish, won at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) hvy in Nov beating Ned Ludd (10-11) by nk, 9 ran.
Numide (FR) 22-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out, 7th of 18, 17l behind Requin (10-2) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Dec.
Sir Kezbaah (IRE) 13-8fav (11-8) Prominent, pushed wide well before 3 out, soon outpaced, no impression after, 5th of 11, 8l behind Lord Ragnar (11-12) at Newbury 2m 3f cnd nov hcp hdl (0-120) (3) sft in Mar.
