made all, drew clear after 3 out, ridden approaching last, edged right flat, ridden out
chased leaders until 6th, soon ridden, stayed on again from 2 out
chased leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, one pace after
held up in rear, well behind 4th, lots to do 3 out, stayed on from 2 out, went 2nd flat, not reached winner
chased winner, hit 6th, driven along from next, kept on same pace from 3 out, lost 2nd flat
behind from 4th, stayed on from 2 out, never dangerous
Nonrunner
Allaboveboard is likely to be at prohibitive odds for this claiming hurdle and is hard to oppose in a race where the main threats look to come from Noble Calling and Maclean. The selection is well treated judged by official BHB ratings and comes here in better form than any of his rivals following a win over course and distance last time. Gary Moore's Chocolate Boy has not run over hurdles for some time but does come here fit from the flat, albeit not in good form. Stablemate Maclean could be of interest back over hurdles in this grade but a bigger threat may come from the Ron Hodges-trained Noble Calling, who has solid claims at the weights and may appreciate the return to this sort of trip but his form is below that of the selection. Allaboveboard has an obvious chance though and he is the selection.
Allaboveboard (IRE) 8-11fav (10-10) Made all, not fluent 7th, drew clear from 2 out, easily, won at Fontwell 2m 4f clm hdl (5) gf in Aug beating Smart Tiger (10-9) by 11l, 7 ran.
Canni Thinkaar (IRE) 20-1 (10-0) Hit 1st, soon tailed off and pulled up 4 out in race won by Equilibria (11-4) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in Aug, 7 ran.
Chocolate Boy (IRE) 12-1 (11-2) Mid-division, headway after 7th to chase leaders, ridden after next, soon weakened, 10th of 16, well behind Kipsigis (11-2) at Fontwell 2m 4f mdn hdl (E) gs in Nov.
Happy Hussar (IRE) 9-1 (9-13) In touch, headway 4th, lost place 8th, stayed on flat, 4th of 9, 16l behind Jonny's Kick (10-12) at Towcester 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Jun.
Noble Calling (FR) 5-1 (10-5) Always behind, ridden approaching 3f out, no impression, 6th of 10, 16l behind Shared Account (11-5) at N Abbot 2m 6f sll hdl (5) gf in Aug.
Maclean 20-1 (11-6) Mid-division, behind from 11th, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Corrib Drift (11-7) at Stratford 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf in Jul, 11 ran.
Canatrice (IRE) 11-1 (10-5) Prominent, led 4th to 5th, weakened after 3 out, 6th of 8, 23l behind Flame Phoenix (11-8) at Towcester 2m nov hdl (D) gd in Oct '04.
Just Ask 66-1 (10-2) Prominent, ridden after 6th, soon weakened, 12th of 14, well behind Lupin (11-10) at Worcester 2m 4f clm hdl (5) gf in Aug.
