held up, headway approaching 6th, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out
in touch, ridden 4th, weakened next
keen, tracked leader, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out
in touch, ridden and weakened 3 out
raced mid-division, ridden and weakened 4 out
led, ridden and headed 3 out, soon weakened
held up, headway approaching 6th, ridden, hit and every chance 3 out, weakened next
always in rear
close up, led 3 out, ridden and soon headed, effort approaching last, no extra run-in
held up, headway approaching 6th, led soon after 3 out, ridden approaching last, eased near finish
held up mid-division, ridden and weakened 4 out
always in rear, behind when pulled up before 2 out
always in rear
close up, ridden and weakened after 6th
Air Guitar was good value for his 10-length success at Ludlow last week but may not be allowed to dominate as he was there and he looks worth taking on under a 7lb penalty so preference is for the potentially well treated Coronado's Gold, who gets the vote ahead of Cappanrush. The last mentioned showed promise in bumpers before opening his account over hurdles in a novice event at Taunton last month. The Alf Ennis-trained five-year-old would look to have plenty of weight for what he has achieved though so may be best watched. Ginger McCain's Coming Again has performed creditably in novice contests this term and has to be respected but is likely to find at least one too good again, while Irish raider Dare To Dance has struggled against the handicapper since winning at Wexford in August. Rebel Raider has not jumped a hurdle in anger for some time and has regressed on the flat since last being seen at this game, while Nautical comes from a yard struggling to find winners. Wardash has gone up 5lbs for his win in a conditional jockeys' selling handicap over course and distance last month and a chance is taken instead with Coronado's Gold, who has not shown a great deal over hurdles in three starts but has been allotted a fair mark considering his flat form and could be of interest at a nice price.
Air Guitar (IRE) 15-2 (11-2) Chased leaders, led 5th, clear 3 out, easily, won at Ludlow 2m 5f mdn hdl (E) gd beating Mac Dargin (10-6) by 10l, 12 ran.
Coming Again (IRE) 11-8fav (10-7) Mid-division, blundered badly 3rd, ridden to lead briefly 2 out, soon one pace, 4th of 15, 3 1/2l behind Davy's Luck (10-5) at Hereford 2m 1f nov hdl (E) gf in Oct.
Barking Mad (USA) 15-2 (11-4) Raced freely and soon well clear, in command when hit 3 out, unchallenged, won at Plumpton 2m nov clm hdl (F) gs in Oct beating Somewhere My Love (9-8) by 26l, 9 ran.
Dargaville (NZ) 3-1fav (11-2) Held up in touch, headway to chase winner before 5th, outpaced 2 out, weakened last, 5th of 7, 23l behind Dream Castle (9-12) at Cartmel 2m 1f cnd hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gs in May.
Cappanrush (IRE) 10-11fav (10-9) Made all, jumped left throughout, quickened on bit after 3 out, unchallenged, won at Taunton 2m 1f nh nov hdl (D) frm in Oct beating So Cloudy (10-0) by 12l, 5 ran.
Coronado's Gold (USA) 33-1 (11-2) Held up, headway to track leaders when blundered 6th, driven and weakened after next, 6th of 16, 20l behind Dusky Lord (11-2) at Plumpton 2m mdn hdl (F) gd in Oct.
Dare To Dance 66-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, headway 3 out to chase leaders 2 out, weakened before last, 5th of 19, 10l behind Not Left Yet (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m nov hcp hdl 0-110 (D) gs.
Bayadere (GER) 12-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, hampered 2nd, headway 7th, hampered next, ridden and weakened before last, 6th of 9, 21l behind Common Girl (10-12) at Fakenham 2m 4f nov hdl (E) gf in May.
Rebel Raider (IRE) 4-1 (11-0) Tracked leader, ridden from 3 out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 13, 8l behind Kathakali (10-9) at Worcester 2m mdn hdl (E) gd in Jul '03.
Alph 50-1 (10-11) In touch and keen, ridden and stayed on from 3 out, 4th of 15, 10l behind Magical Legend (10-0) at Stratford 2m mdn hdl (D) gd in Oct.
Wardash (GER) 10-3fav (11-6) Always prominent, led 2 out, strongly challenged approaching last, just held on, won at Fakenham 2m cnd sll hcp hdl (G) gd in Oct beating Cadeaux Rouge (10-11) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
Nautical 20-1 (10-12) Behind, weakened 4th, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Atahuelpa (11-4) at Chepstow 2m nov hdl (E) gd in Oct '04, 9 ran.
Coolbythepool 20-1 (11-2) Held up, in rear, effort after 3 out, soon beaten, 5th of 10, 35l behind Harley (11-2) at Sandown 2m 4f cnd hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gs.
Pick of The Crop 80-1 (10-12) Held up, headway and not fluent 5th, ridden after 3 out, no impression, 4th of 13, 22l behind Dr Cerullo (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m nov hdl (E) gf in Sept.
