held up towards rear, headway 5th, blundered next, ridden to chase leader 2 out, every chance last, no extra
mid-division, keen, headway after 4th to chase leaders, ridden, hit 2 out, led soon after, kept on well
towards rear, ridden from 5th, plugged on
led, headed after 2 out, weakened approaching last
held up towards rear, headway 5th, driven to chase leaders 2 out, one pace
tracked leaders, not jumped well, lost place 5th
tracked leaders, hit 3rd, lost place 5th, tailed off from 3 out
held up towards rear, headway 5th, mistake 4 out and next, ridden to chase leaders 2 out, weakened last
Nonrunner
Warne's Way can prove too good for Sahf London, Kanad, Cruise Director and Boyastara to name but a few. There are some interesting contenders here, including the Paul Nicholls debutant Boyastara who looked the part when scoring on soft ground in the French Provinces back in October. If anywhere near fit, he can prove troublesome, but we shall rely on the Brendan Powell-trained Warne's Way to deliver the goods. A maiden in five outings on the Flat for Richard Hannon, he has quickly adapted to his new career, and sets the standard here on his fine third to Triumph Hurdle fancy Good Bye Simon in a Grade 1 hurdle at Chepstow in December. It can be argued that he should have done better at Towcester next time when beaten into second by Glinton, but that rival produced a stunning weight-carrying performance that day, and in any case the return to this easier track will help the selection's cause no end. Sahf London lines up fit from a run on the level at Kempton last month and has shown a bit of form over timber in the past, while Kanad felt the benefit of a breathing operation when scoring at Ludlow a fortnight ago and may now be on the upgrade. Cruise Director is lightly-raced over hurdles and has been off since November, but is worth keeping in mind for the future. For now though we prefer the claims of Warne's Way.
Kanad 11-2 (11-3) Held up mid-division, headway 6th, led 3 out, hit 2 out, ran on, won at Ludlow 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Jan beating Sasso (11-5) by 3l, 13 ran.
Duelling Banjos 6-1 (8-13) Tracked leader, disputed lead inside final furlong, no extra close home, 3rd of 10, 1l behind Bank On Benny (9-0) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Dec (Flat).
Safari Adventures (IRE) 33-1 (11-4) Held up, hit 3 out and next, kept on steadily after, 8th of 14, 37l behind Hobbs Hill (11-4) at Folkestone 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Strider 100-1 (11-1) Last and struggling 4th, tailed off, 13th of 14, well behind Hobbs Hill (11-4) at Folkestone 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
The Thunderer 20-1 (11-4) Pulled early, held up towards rear, pecked 3rd, ridden and effort 3 out, weakened 2 out, 8th of 14, 46l behind Chery D'or (11-4) at Wincanton 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Boyastara (FR) Astarabad gelding out of 1m4f-1m7f & hurdles winner Boya Girl.
Warne's Way (IRE) 4-5fav (10-7) Prominent, went 2nd after 3 out, strong challenge from 2 out, stayed on flat, 2nd of 14, 1/2l behind Glinton (11-9) at Towcester 2m nov hdl (3) hvy in Jan.
Faith And Reason (USA) 50-1 (10-7) In touch, headway 3 out, chased leaders next, not pace to challenge, 5th of 17, 16l behind Monfils Monfils (11-4) at Huntingdon 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Khazar (FR) 5-2 (11-0) Prominent in chasing group, effort 2 out, weakened between last 2, 6th of 12, 24l behind Gracechurch (10-11) at Folkestone 2m 1f 4yo mdn hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Sahf London 20-1 (11-0) Held up, ridden to chase leading pair after 3 out until weakened next, 5th of 14, 23l behind King's Revenge (11-0) at Lingfield 2m 4yo mdn hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
Cruise Director 3-1 (11-2) Held up, closed 6th, soon tracked leader, led 3 out, headed 2 out, soon no chance, 3rd of 8, 13l behind Coppermalt (10-1) at Plumpton 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Nov.
