prominent, every chance approaching 3 out, weakening when not fluent 2 out
always in rear, pulled up before last
prominent, lost place 9th, not fluent 3 out, some headway, no impression
held up towards rear, headway 8th, strong challenge from 3 out, hung left approaching last, held towards finish
tracked leaders, led approaching 3 out, strongly pressed, stayed on
mid-division, dropped rear 6th, behind when pulled up before last
held up in rear, some headway after 9th, weakened when pulled up before 3 out
chased leaders to 7th, tailed off
mid-division, not fluent 5th, headway 9th, weakened 2 out
tracked leaders, not fluent 8th, weakening when mistake next, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
not fluent, always in rear, tailed off
mid-division, headway approaching 8th, weakened before 3 out, tailed off
mid-division, headway 7th, weakened approaching 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
led until approaching 3 out, soon weakened
Nonrunner
The resurgence of trainer Andy Turnell can continue with HIGH CAROL, who looks capable of defying an 8lb rise to score, while Its All About You and The Great Alfie will probably show up well. The selection landed a Worcester handicap hurdle comfortably last month, when proving that he handles some cut in the ground. This will be even more testing today, but the step up in trip looks ideal on pedigree and that can help him find the necessary improvement to win again. Its All About You is also bred to be a thorough stayer and being by Accordion and with Supreme Leader on the dam's side then the deeper the ground probably the better for him. His recent Carlisle run over an inadequate trip will have straightened him out for this and he should be a major player. The Great Alfie spent a long time on the sidelines after landing a Perth handicap hurdle in April 2008, so there was plenty of encouragement from his only subsequent start, when runner-up at the same venue in September. Nigel Twiston-Davies has not rushed him back to the racecourse, which looks a positive, and he is likely to get very competitive in this. Clyffe Hanger ran well in defeat over course and distance last time and acts well with juice in the ground, so from the same mark today he should go well, while money for the unexposed Prince Geeno would be very interesting, given connections. Gatien Du Tertre has stamina to prove but acts with cut, while Starlight Air stays this far, having won over the trip on good to soft at Worcester in the summer, but looks plenty high enough in the weights. High Carol is the recommendation.
Macmar (FR) 7-1 (10-8) Led until 9th, weakened before 3 out, 12th of 16, well behind Sheshali (10-13) at Exeter 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gf in May.
Sir Bathwick (IRE) 5-1 (11-12) Jumped right, led, ridden after 4 out, headed approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 5th of 6, 36l behind Catch The Perk (11-4) at Haydock 3m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Oct.
Referent (FR) 9-2fav (11-9) Held up in rear, not fluent 3rd, 4th or 6th, headway under pressure when jumped right 3 out, no further progress, 5th of 15, 29l behind Dovedale (10-11) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Oct.
Clyffe Hanger (IRE) 9-2 (11-2) Tracked leaders, not fluent 8th, every chance 3 out, hung left after 2 out, no impression last, lost 2nd near finish, 3rd of 15, 5l behind Magnifico (11-2) at Exeter 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) hvy.
The Great Alfie 6-4fav (11-3) Held up towards rear, outpaced 3 out, ridden approaching next, kept on to take 2nd close home, no chance with winner, 2nd of 10, 8l behind Oscar Glory (10-9) at Perth 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Sep.
Finmere (IRE) 14-1 (10-11) Chased leaders until ridden and weakened approaching 3 out, 5th of 8, 29l behind Tell Massini (11-0) at Chepstow 3m mdn hdl (5) sft in Oct.
Its All About You (IRE) 3-1fav (11-4) Held up, ridden approaching last, some headway, never dangerous, 6th of 11, 6l behind Benmadigan (11-2) at Carlisle 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in Oct.
Sir Peter (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway after 3rd, reminders 7th, weakened after 4 out, 5th of 9, 37l behind Mister Potter (11-0) at Towcester 2m 6f beg chase (4) hvy in Jan.
Starlight Air 7-4fav (10-12) Prominent, ridden briefly approaching 8th, challenged next until approaching 3 out, one pace when hung left flat, 4th of 11, 6l behind Mr Robert (11-9) at Worcester 3m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Jul.
High Carol (IRE) 11-1 (10-11) Mid-division, raced keenly, headway when not fluent 6th, not fluent next, soon ridden, went 2nd 2 out, led flat, stayed on, won at Worcester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Oct beating War Footing (11-11) by 4 1/2l, 12 ran.
Prince Geeno (IRE) 5-1 (10-11) Led, headed 1st, stayed prominent, with clear leaders 3rd, ridden and weakened 3 out, 4th of 9, 35l behind Quick Fix (11-0) at Chepstow 2m mdn hdl (4) gd in Apr.
All Roads Lead (IRE) 9-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders until not fluent and weakened 8th, 11th of 14, 38l behind Deadline (11-2) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf in Jul.
Paktol Des Brosses (FR) 14-1 (11-12) Prominent in 3rd when blundered badly 9th, soon lost place, tailed off, 10th of 11, well behind Alldunnandusted (10-13) at Plumpton 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gd.
Kristoffersen 11-1 (11-3) Held up towards rear, ridden after 6th, stayed on approaching 2 out, never challenged leaders, 5th of 14, 7l behind Willies Way (11-4) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf in Sep.
