always behind, ridden and struggling before 4 out, tailed off
held up in touch, headway to 4th 4 out, chased winner before next, ridden and no extra between last 2
in touch in 5th, ridden before 3 out, soon hung left and no impression, went modest 4th close home
tracked leading pair, went 2nd before 3rd, led 3rd, made rest, came clear and in command between last 2
always in rear, struggling 4 out, tailed off
tracked leader until before 3rd, chased leaders, chased winner 4 out until next, went 3rd 2 out, stayed on same pace
took keen hold, led until 3rd, chased winner until 4 out, weakened from after 3 out, lost modest 4th close home
chased leaders, driven and weakened after 4 out, tailed off
Nonrunner
ESTEEM is back over hurdles after scoring easily over fences at Southwell on Wednesday. He's creeping up the weights but may still be a step ahead of the handicapper and faces uninspiring opposition in this. In Commerce's absence, Bendant could be best of the rest as he has been placed in three of his four starts this season though Abbi Jicaro only found Dirty Deal too strong at Chepstow last month. Behtarini showed promise earlier in the campaign but recent efforts have left plenty to be desired.
Behtarini (IRE) 40-1 (10-3) Held up in rear, ridden and struggling 7th, 11th of 14, 50l behind Magic Prospect (10-11) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Jan.
Esteem 7-2fav (11-7) Held up towards rear, headway 6th, went 2nd after 4 out, led next, soon clear, easily, won at Southwell 2m nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs beating Strathaird (10-0) by 11l, 11 ran.
Medic Man (IRE) 100-1 (10-8) Tracked leaders, took keen hold, led 3f out, headed over 2f out, weakened 1f out, 10th of 14, 15l behind Tetlami (11-0) at Kempton 2m n h flat (6) gd.
Bendant 7-2fav (10-4) Tracked leaders, raced wide, led 4th, mistake 8th, blundered and headed 3 out, weakening when not fluent last, 4th of 11, 27l behind Pension Plan (10-11) at Ffos Las 3m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) hvy in Jan.
Fashion Week 80-1 (11-1) Held up in touch, making some steady headway when fell 6th, in a race won by Ghizao (11-4) at Taunton 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Jan '10, 11 ran.
Umoristic (FR) 50-1 (10-1) Tracked leaders, chased winner after 3 out until after next, no impression before last, weakened flat, 5th of 13, 20l behind Castle Conflict (11-5) at Hereford 2m 1f NH mdn hdl (5) sft in Jan.
Abbi Jicaro 16-1 (10-4) Took keen hold, led, jumped rigth 3rd, mistake 4 out, headed after next, 3rd and beaten when left 2nd last, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 10, 2 3/4l behind Dirty Deal (11-10) at Chepstow 2m Mares Handicap Hurdle (0-100) (4yo+) (5) hvy in Jan.
Sparkling Air 12-1 (11-2) Took keen hold, prominent, not fluent 8th or 9th, losing place when rider dropped whip before 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 10th of 16, well behind Hobb's Dream (10-9) at Taunton 3m cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs in Jan.
Commerce 14-1 (10-6) Held up in mid-division, jumped left, headway approaching 6th, challenging when mistake 3 out, stayed on same pace flat, 3rd of 11, 2l behind Aviso (11-1) at Ludlow 2m sll hdl (4-8yo) (5) gs in Jan.
