chased leaders, challenged 2f out, driven into narrow lead last, headed and not pace of winner final 100 yards
held up towards rear, steady headway from 7th, led soon after next, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, weakened between last 2
held up in rear, steady headway on outside 8th, tracked leaders going well after 3 out, challenged last, pushed into lead final 100 yards, ran on well cleverly
in touch until weakened approaching 8th
in touch, headway into 2nd at 7th, pushed along and weakened before next, tailed off
held up in rear, badly hampered 1st, steady headway after 7th, chased leader after next, led approaching 2 out, soon ridden, headed last, unable to quicken flat
fell 1st
chased leader to approaching 7th, soon weakened, losing touch when mistake next, tailed off and pulled up approaching 2 out
chased leaders, pushed along and weakened before 8th
held up in rear, not fluent 6th, still last at 3 out, plugged on but no chance
close up, ridden after 3 out, weakened quickly before next
led, ridden and headed soon after 8th, stayed handy until weakened after 3 out, hit next
The way this Novice Hurdle is framed very much favours DEW DROP INN and Jim Best's mare should follow up on his success last time out if acting in these conditions with Pete The Feat looking next best in at the weights while a first time visor could get more out of Aconitum. 22 lengths was the margin that the pick took a handicap hurdle at Haydock last time when partnered with this pilot for the first time. That was his seasonal bow so he should be fitter this time and will take all the beating with the ground looking his only obstacle. Pete The Feat has just over 10lbs to find on these terms and shaped well enough on his first start after a break when not far beaten by a subsequent winner. He handles soft conditions and should build on that last run. Aconitum has plenty to find on these terms but should go on this ground while Raise You Five will need to improve to over come adverse weights but looks to be slowly coming to hand. The ground may muck up the form but after such a win last time we¿ll stick with Dew Drop Inn.
Aconitum (GER) 100-1 (10-5) Led until 2nd, chased leader after, not fluent 3 out, gradually weakened, 6th of 14, 21l behind Pepe Simo (10-12) at Wincanton 2m nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Dew Drop Inn (IRE) 9-2 (11-12) Held up, blundered 7th, headway 9th, led 2 out, soon clear easily, won at Hereford 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-85 (5) gd beating Flag Flier (10-10) by 22l, 17 ran.
Raise You Five (IRE) 66-1 (10-7) Held up mid-division, ridden approaching 2 out soon wekeaned, 7th of 13, 31l behind Sonowyouno (11-0) at Aintree 2m mdn hdl (4) gs in Oct.
Flag Point (IRE) 50-1 (11-7) Held up, tailed off from 10th, soon pulled up, in a race won by You Can Of Course (10-10) at Plumpton 3m 2f nov hcp chs 0-90 (5) gd, 12 ran.
Compleat Artist (IRE) 25-1 (11-10) Mid-division, weakened 3f out, behind when pulled up before next, in a race won by Choumakeur (11-11) at Southwell 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gd in Jul, 16 ran.
Pete The Feat (IRE) 40-1 (11-2) In rear, headway approaching 4 out, chased leaders next, led 2 out, ridden approaching last, headed flat, soon weakened, 3rd of 11, 3 1/2l behind Alldunnandusted (10-13) at Plumpton 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gd.
Brave Jewel (IRE) 7-1 (10-5) Held up towards rear, headway after 5th, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off, 7th of 9, well behind Woody Valentine (11-2) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f sll hdl (4-8yo) (5) gs in May.
Poppy Gregg 50-1 (11-4) In rear, mistake 3rd, struggling when mistake 7th, mistake 9th, tailed off when pulled up before 10th, in a race won by Dew Drop Inn (11-12) at Hereford 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-85 (5) gd, 17 ran.
Lupita (IRE) 100-1 (10-0) Held up in touch until dropped to rear approaching 4 out, tailed off, 7th of 8, well behind Tell Massini (11-0) at Chepstow 3m mdn hdl (5) sft in Oct.
Keepholdin (IRE) 40-1 (10-9) Prominent, hit 2nd, weakened approaching 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Festival Dreams (10-2) at Wincanton 2m 4f 4yo hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Apr, 8 ran.
Smart N Sharp (IRE) 100-1 (10-7) In touch, slightly hampered 6th, soon weakened, tailed off, 9th of 13, well behind Sweet Seville (10-7) at Worcester 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gs in Jun.
Arabian Sun 50-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, under pressure 7th, soon lost place, tailed off, 11th of 18, well behind Classic Quart (12-0) at Fontwell 2m 6f cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gf in Jun.
Count Boris 33-1 (11-12) Chased leader, ridden and weakened after 6th, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Bernard (9-7) at Exeter 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Nov '07, 13 ran.
