in touch, hit 9th, weakening when hit 2 out
tracked leader, ridden, weakened 6th
mid-division, lost place 8th, some headway 4 out, no impression after
in touch, slow 10th, soon driven, headway approaching 2 out, stayed on under pressure to lead last strides
mid-division, lost place 8th, behind when pulled up 10th
mid-division when fell 10th
in touch, mistake 3rd, ridden to chase leader 3 out, soon every chance, not fluent, weakened last
chased leaders, weakened before 3 out
held up, never dangerous
led, headed approaching 3rd, weakened 3 out
behind, headway before 3 out, soon chasing leaders, never on terms
held up, pulled hard, headway after 1st, led approaching 3rd, hit last, headed, no extra last strides
held up, pushed along 5th, hit 8th, behind when pulled up 10th
held up, never dangerous
A wide-open handicap hurdle rounds off the card and many would have chances on their best form but the principals look to be Thenford Star, Joe Malone and Cougar and the vote is given to Thenford Star. The selection has been in good form of late and was a fair second behind Malko de Beaumont last time out; that form looks rock solid and with this longer trip likely to bring about improvement he looks the one to be on. Joe Malone rates the main danger on his latest fifth behind Wally Wonder but he has had plenty of chances off similar marks and is taken on with this in mind. Cougar was a fair fourth behind Eastern Point last time and could improve for the fitting of first-time cheekpieces so should be noted in the market. Golden Feather would be a danger to all on his best form despite top weight but he has shown very little of late so cannot be put forward with any confidence. This is a wide-open affair and the market will be very informative but for the winner we return to Thenford Star.
Golden Feather 15-2 (11-2) Mid-division, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out, 13th of 14, well behind San Antonio (10-11) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Nov.
Miss Merenda 20-1 (11-6) Led 1st, stayed prominent until lost place and weakened 6th, soon tailed off, last of 6, well behind Chamacco (11-2) at Exeter 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf in Nov.
Geraldine 22-1 (11-0) Always behind, 7th of 12, well behind All For Luck (11-7) at Wetherby 2m 7f nh mdn hdl (5) hvy.
Thenford Star (IRE) Evensfav (10-12) Held up, headway 5th, chased leaders 3 out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 18, 4 1/2l behind Malko De Beaumont (11-4) at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in Dec.
Uncle Max (IRE) 20-1 (10-5) Prominent, mistake 2nd, not fluent 5th, weakened 7th, 9th of 10, 28l behind Jarro (11-10) at Ludlow 2m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in Dec.
Mnason (FR) 100-1 (11-7) Always behind, 12th of 16, well behind Radnor Lad (10-12) at Hereford 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs in Dec.
Statute 25-1 (9-9) Held up, kept on without threatening from before 3 out, 7th of 25, 30l behind Astalanda (10-6) at Navan 2m hcp hdl 0-109 hvy in Dec.
Joe Malone (IRE) 7-2fav (10-4) Mid-division, outpaced 6th, rallied 3 out, no impression after, 5th of 11, 23l behind Wally Wonder (11-2) at Catterick 2m 3f amt hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in Dec.
Lazy Lena (IRE) 28-1 (10-0) Behind, ridden to chase leaders approaching 2 out, kept on, 5th of 10, 27l behind Highland Games (11-5) at Sedgefield 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) hvy.
Cougar (IRE) 7-1 (10-11) In rear, moderate late headway, 4th of 9, 20l behind Eastern Point (11-0) at Folkestone 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-90 (5) sft in Dec.
Rashida 40-1 (10-5) In touch, driven 3 out, kept on through beaten horses, 2nd of 9, 10l behind Critical Stage (11-12) at Taunton 2m 3f sll hdl (5) gs in Dec.
Spider Boy 11-1 (10-0) In touch, joined leaders 4th, jumped slowly next and lost place, behind when pulled up 3 out in race won by He's The Gaffer (11-9) at Fontwell 2m 6f cnd hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Dec, 9 ran.
Cadeaux Rouge (IRE) 16-1 (10-1) Chased leaders, ridden and lost place approaching 4th, soon behind, 12th of 17, 47l behind Caulkleys Bank (11-12) at Catterick 2m sll hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs in Nov.
Purr 16-1 (9-10) refused in race won by Northern Link (11-8) at Fontwell 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gf in Jun, 16 ran.
Dawn Frolics 25-1 (10-0) Always behind, tailed off, 7th of 11, well behind Roman Rampage (11-5) at Folkestone 2m 6f sll hcp hdl 0-90 (5) sft.
