always behind, under pressure 7th, pulled up before next,
mid-division, lost place 6th, soon tailed off, pulled up before 8th
mid-division, ridden 2 out, soon no impression
mid-division, mistaken 2nd, under pressure when blundered and unseated rider 3 out
behind, headway 7th, soon chasing leaders, led after 3 out, clear approaching last, ran on well
tracked leader, under pressure 4 out, stayed on same pace from 2 out
always behind, detached from 7th
in touch, ridden to challenge after 3 out, soon under pressure, weakening when mistakes last
in touch, lost place approaching 2 out
A lowly maiden rounds off proceedings, with LORD BRUNELLO selected to be first home. The main dangers are expected to be Nordwind and Friendly King. Christian Williams' mount is a multiple point-to-point winner and having his third crack over hurdles. A step down in grade increases his chances but in time he may want to be tried over the bigger obstacles. George Baker's hurdlers have a decent strike record and Friendly King is his sole representative on the card. The step up in trip looks to be a positive. Nordwind has spent a year being schooled over hurdles by Evan Williams after previously running on the Flat. The trainer's record is likely to encourage some support. You can make a case for a few.
Alloro 50-1 (9-12) Slowly into stride, in rear, outpaced, last of 5, 43l behind Great Charm (8-13) at Southwell 7f mdn aut stk (6) fbs in Apr (Flat).
Ashover Rock (IRE) 200-1 (10-9) Held up, headway 4 out, weakened approaching 3 out, 10th of 16, well behind Waterloo Road (10-12) at Newcastle 2m nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Call Me Alfie (IRE) 14-1 (10-7) In touch, ridden approaching 8th, soon weakened and tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Charity Lane (10-7) at Lingfield 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Nov, 9 ran.
Dance Island (IRE) 12-1 (10-11) Held up, headway after 6th, weakened approaching 2 out, blundered last, 5th of 8, 31l behind Moves Goodenough (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m hdl (3) gs in Nov.
Dark Planet 125-1 (10-5) unseated rider in race won by Altilhar (11-5) at Ludlow 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) gs in Jan '07, 14 ran.
Friendly King 12-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, mistake 2nd, headway after 3 out, hung left approaching 2 out, left 3rd last, 3rd of 18, 11l behind Frontier Dancer (10-12) at Warwick 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Lord Brunello (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) In touch, ridden and outpaced 6th, stayed on moderately to take poor 3rd, 3rd of 11, well behind Shalone (11-5) at Kempton 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Marlyn Ridge 40-1 (11-0) Held up, losing touch when mistake 7th, 7th of 8, 48l behind Moves Goodenough (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m hdl (3) gs in Nov.
Nordwind (IRE) 9-2 (10-7) Trakced leaders, ridden after 3 out, weakened next, 4th of 9, 20l behind Leo's Lucky Star (11-8) at Ascot 2m nov hdl (3) gd in Nov.
Ramvaswani (IRE) 25-1 (10-0) Towards rear, chased leaders 4th, ridden 3 out, kept on one pace from 2 out, 4th of 13, 14l behind Mickmacmagoole (11-9) at Taunton 2m 3f amt hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Nov.
