held up, ridden and outpaced approaching 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off
with leaders on outside, hit 6th, outpaced 2 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace, no impression
led to 2nd, tracked leader, led again after 4th to 6th, outpaced 2 out, soon ridden and kept on same pace
tracked leaders, led 6th, ridden and headed between last 2, kept on same pace under pressure flat
held up mid-division, headway to join leaders 7th, led between last 2, ridden out flat
held up, hit 6th, struggling 8th, soon beaten, tailed off
held up on outside, headway and in touch 7th, lost place next, soon weakened, behind when pulled up before 3 out
raced keenly in touch, led 2nd to after 4th, lost place next, soon eased, pulled up before 6th
chased leaders, lost place 6th, soon well behind, tailed off
DOROTHY'S FRIEND gets the vote here ahead of Little Eaglet and Pipe Banner. With a flat rating in the 90's, the selection is a horse with plenty of ability but he has had his problems. The 9-year-old was off for over two years before running two solid races over hurdles last February and the hope is that he can get his career belatedly back on track here with conditions to suit. Any market support for Crime Don't Pay would be interesting on his first run for the yard, Little Eaglet is rated 105 which leaves him with a little to find but he has run in some decent races to date, whilst No Rules was a winner on the flat at Catterick last time out and comes here race-fit and unexposed over hurdles. Likely favourite Pipe Banner has shaped with plenty of ability in four starts in bumpers last season, and looks an obvious player on his hurdling debut with this trip likely to suit. Winners have come out of all of his runs to date and he should run well. Irish challenger Sir Vincent needs watching in the betting on this hurdling debut after 504 days off, whilst Wild Side Of Life may do better as a six-year-old. The market should be informative in this finale however without that information we are happy to side with Dorothy's Friend.
Crime Dont Pay (IRE) 66-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, hit 4th, struggling 9th, weakened approaching 2 out, 7th of 16, 24l behind Midnight Sail (11-0) at Ascot 2m 6f NH mdn hdl (3) gs in Dec.
Dorothy's Friend 12-1 (11-3) Not fluent, chased clear leader, close to lead 2 out, headed between last 2, no chance with winner when blundered last, kept on until lost 2nd final 100 yards, 3rd of 15, 6l behind Rear Gunner (10-10) at Folkestone 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gs in Feb.
Little Eaglet (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) In touch, headway to track leader 8th, ridden well before 2 out, every chance flat, no extra towards finish, 3rd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Newsday (10-7) at Fontwell 2m 6f mdn hdl (4) gf in May.
No Rules 100-1 (10-7) Not jumped well, in touch, weakened after 7th, 4th of 5, 40l behind Bergo (11-8) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gf in Mar.
Pipe Banner 7-2fav (11-2) Prominent, led over 5f out, headed 2f out, weakened 1f out, 5th of 14, 14l behind Stormhoek (10-7) at Towcester 2m NH flat (5) gd in Apr.
Silent Street 8-1 (9-8) Prominent, ridden along over 5f out, weakened over 2f out, 7th of 13, 42l behind Mystified (9-8) at Catterick 2m sell stks (6) fm in Aug '07 (flat).
Sir Vincent (IRE) 9-4 (11-11) Tracked leaders, led 4f out, ridden from 2f out, kept on well final furlong, won at Killarney 2m 1f N H flat gs in Jul '08 beating Azana (11-8) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
Wild Side Of Life (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway after 5th, ridden after 3 out, stayed on same pace, left 3rd last, 3rd of 12, 17l behind Bold Policy (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 6f mdn hdl (5) sft in Dec.
Highbourne Lady 200-1 (9-12) In touch, weakened 3 out, tailed off, last of 8, 32l behind Holoko Heights (10-12) at Southwell 2m nh nov hdl (4) gf.
