led to 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, weakened flat
mid-division, headway approaching 6th, hit 3 out, went second when lunged at last, closed on winner flat, always held
held up towards rear, not fluent 1st, mistakes 5th, ridden into moderate 7th after 3 out, never dangerous
tracked leaders, took keen hold, went second 5th, led 3 out, ridden clear approaching last, driven out
held up in rear, ridden and struggling after 6th, mistake 3 out, never dangerous
held up in rear, raced wide, headway after 5th, weakened 2 out
in touch, lost place approaching 6th, soon beaten
held up towards rear, jumped slowly 6th, soon ridden and struggling, tailed off
tracked leader to 5th, ridden approaching 2 out, one pace
prominent, pulled hard, weakened approaching 2 out
mid-division, pushed along after 5th, weakened approaching next
This looks pretty competitive, albeit between horses that by and large don't have any decent recent form behind them with the exception of NEAR THE WATER, who we'll side with ahead of Lord Singer and Little Eaglet. They're three of the four joint top weights. A winner last time out for Richard Rowe, Near the Water comes back to a novice race after winning a handicap, having previously finished ahead of Lord Singer in a similar race to this, also off level weights. Little Eaglet's been placed in a couple of maidens in his last couple of outings, and wouldn't need to improve too much to get involved. Petito is the fourth horse to share top rated status, and returns to hurdles after a couple of unsuccessful goes at chasing, both of which he failed to complete. Dancing Storm is having just his third go over hurdles after a decent career on the flat, and any market support should be noted; likewise for the ffrench Davis runner Head To Kerry, who's been off the track since March. It's a trappy little affair, in which we'll side with Near The Water.
Little Eaglet (IRE) 9-1 (11-0) Led to 2nd, tracked leader, led again after 4th to 6th, outpaced 2 out, soon ridden and kept on same pace, 3rd of 9, 6l behind Pipe Banner (11-0) at Fakenham 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gs in Nov.
Near The Water (IRE) 9-2 (10-11) Held up in rear, headway 2 out, hit last, stayed on to lead towards finish, won at Plumpton 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft beating Sebastiano (11-5) by 1 1/4l, 11 ran.
Petito (IRE) 100-1 (11-0) Jumped poorly, soon well detached, tailed off 5th, soon pulled up, in a race won by Mad Max (11-0) at Kempton 2m nov chs (2) sft, 5 ran.
Lord Singer (FR) 7-2 (10-12) Led, soon 8 lengths clear, headed approaching last, one pace, 2nd of 4, 6l behind Quartano (11-5) at Folkestone 2m 4f NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) hvy in Nov.
Dancing Storm 28-1 (10-10) Took keen hold, held up in rear, steady headway after 3 out, stayed on same pace from next, 4th of 11, 14l behind Sure Josie Sure (10-7) at Wincanton 2m mrs nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Shali San (FR) 10-1 (11-9) Held up in rear, mistakes 1st, 4th and 5th, headway after 3 out, driven before 2 out, stayed on into 3rd approaching last, no chance with front pair, 3rd of 11, 11l behind Mix N Match (10-5) at Wincanton 2m nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft in Dec.
Head To Kerry (IRE) 3-1fav (11-0) Mid-division, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, no further impression, 5th of 17, 10l behind Gunnadoit (10-8) at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Mar.
Forest Rhythm (IRE) 66-1 (11-2) Held up, weakened after 4 out, 8th of 11, 46l behind Notus De La Tour (10-11) at Plumpton 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft.
Over The Flow 7-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 5th of 7, 31l behind Natural Action (12-0) at Folkestone 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) hvy in Nov.
Ashmolian (IRE) 50-1 (10-5) Held up in rear, headway approaching 3 out, soon ridden and weakened, 10th of 13, 42l behind Bangkok Pete (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Bollywood (IRE) 11-1 (9-13) Soon driven along towards rear, headway from 2 out, went moderate 4th and flat, 4th of 13, 21l behind Bringewood Fox (11-4) at Plumpton 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft in Mar.
