chased leader, ridden 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off 3 out
prominent, ridden approaching 3 out, one pace
held up towards rear, headway and chased leader 4th, ridden approaching 3 out, not quicken
pulled hard and held up last, ridden 4th, soon weakened, pulled up before 3 out
whipped around start and virtually refused to race, always tailed off, pulled up before 3 out
made all, quickened clear 3 out, pushed along 2 out, eased flat
held up in mid-division, ridden 4th, weakened before 3 out
Nonrunner
Kelrev is thrown in on his chase form and looks worth chancing on his return to hurdles in a race where Oracle Des Mottes and Serpentine Rock rate the main dangers. The selection raced off a mark of 133 over fences when third at Warwick last time yet can race off a 20lb lower mark today and, with ground conditions to suit, he looks worth a punt. Oracle Des Mottes has paid the penalty for his success at Wincanton two starts ago and may now be in the grip of the handicapper, while Genghis does not appear to be particularly well treated on his debut in this grade. Sigwells Club Boy faces no easy task off an 8lb higher mark than when successful at Warwick last time and of more interest may be Martin Pipe's Fortune Island, who is better than he showed at Wincanton last month and may improve for what was his first outing of the season. The Philip Hobbs-trained Serpentine Rock was a ready winner of a novices' hurdle at Warwick on his return in December and it is interesting that his trainer has given the gelding time to recover. He has to be respected but preference is for Kelrev, who is taken to make the most of what looks a favourable mark.
