mid-division, good headway to lead 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, headed flat, no chance with winner
held up in mid-division, ridden and headway on bend approaching 3 out, mistake 2 out, kept on same pace
chased leader, led halfway, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, soon weakened
prominent, pulled early, ridden and mistake 3 out, soon weakened
mid-division, ridden bend approaching 3 out, soon weakened
held up last, good headway to challenge 3 out, soon ridden, one pace
always towards rear, no impression
towards rear, headway bend approaching 3 out, challenged 2 out and last, shaken up flat, soon led, comfortably
led to halfway, close up until ridden and weakened quickly approaching 3 out
The Tother One was good value for his debut success in a Chepstow bumper when last seen in April and the Paul Nicholls-trained gelding looks the one they all have to beat here so he gets the vote ahead of Fairoak Lad and Flashy Conquest. The last mentioned ran much better on his second start in a Hereford bumper than he had done on his debut and could do better being switched to hurdles. Ryedale Ovation lost his way on the level but did at least win when last seen and the switch to the winter game may be the making of him. Millbrook Meadow makes his debut for Robert Alner today and, along with the Phillip Hobbs-trained Fairoak Lad, would not need to be out of the ordinary to take a hand in the finish. The Tother One sets the standard here though and he gets the vote to make a winning start to his hurdling career.
Cornish Jester 14-1 (10-9) With leader, led brieflly 2nd, weakened 4 out, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Vingis Park (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nov hdl (E) hvy in Dec '05, 14 ran.
Fairoak Lad (IRE) Tiraaz gelding, half-brother to winning hurdler/bumper Leading Contender.
Flashy Conquest 8-1 (11-0) Raced keenly, prominent, driven over 6f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 12, 12l behind Mic Aubin (11-0) at Hereford 2m 1f nhf (6) gf in Sept.
Merchant Bankes 33-1 (8-10) Tracked leaders, weakened over 2f out, eased when beaten, last of 12, 42l behind Featherlight (9-1) at Kempton 2m hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Sept (Flat).
Millbrook Meadow Meadowbrook gelding out of an unraced mare.
Ryedale Ovation (IRE) 33-1 (9-3) Held up in rear, smooth headway on outside over 2f out, led inside final 2f, soon in command, clear final furlong, won at Kempton 1m 3f hcp 0-60 (6) pol beating Recalcitrant (9-1) by 2l, 14 ran (Flat).
Sailor's Sovereign 100-1 (11-2) Mid-division to rear, headway 5f out, weakened over 3f out, 9th of 16, 22l behind The Apprentice (10-13) at Chepstow 2m nhf (6) gd.
Sea Saffron 33-1 (10-12) Towards rear, ridden approaching 3 out, never troubled leaders, 4th of 7, 17l behind Deep Purple (11-12) at Exeter 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gf in Oct.
The Tother One (IRE) 11-8fav (11-2) Mid-division, headway to track leaders over 5f out, led 3f out, wandered, clear over 1f out, ran green, won at Chepstow 2m nhf (6) gd in Apr beating Meersbrook (11-2) by 7l, 10 ran.
She's Beautiful (IRE) 12-1 (10-10) Tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, 12th of 14, 41l behind Katess (10-10) at Towcester 2m mrs nov hdl (4) gd.
