soon tracking leaders, mistake 6th, joined leaders approaching 8th, ridden approaching 2 out, weakening when hit last
in rear, pushed along before halfway, soon outpaced, stayed on from 2 out, never dangerous
led, not fluent 8th, ridden approaching 3 out, headed towards finish, no extra
held up, headway approaching 5th, went 2nd 3 out, every chance from 2 out until no extra flat
tracked leaders, ridden and outpaced after 4 out, stayed on after 2 out, led towards finish, driven out
in touch until lost place approaching 7th
with leaders until halfway, headway to chase leaders after 4 out until weakened approaching 2 out
with leaders, ridden after 4 out, soon weakened
always towards rear, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
Vicario,Tomenoso and Carlys Quest are three against the field in this competitive handicap hurdle and the narrow vote is given to Tomenoso. The selection won well last time out when beating John Forbes with plenty in hand and although he has risen in the weights for that win he looks a progressive type and is taken to defy the handicapper under conditions that suit. Vicario rates the main danger as he also won well last time out when beating Ile De Paris but the step up in trip has to be of concern and he is taken on with this in mind. Carlys Quest has the ability to go close if he does not get to far behind early on but that is a big if. Hirvine and Desert Tommy look weighted up to there best while Great As Gold has conditions to suit but is hard to win with and for the winner we return to Tomenoso.
Hirvine (FR) 8-1 (11-11) Chased leaders, blundered 6th, hit 9th 15th and 17th, weakened next, behind when pulled up 3 out in race won by Latimer's Place (11-8) at Newbury 3m 2f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Dec, 7 ran.
Carlys Quest 9-2 (11-8) In rear, badly outpaced and lost touch halfway, stayed on well from 2 out, nearest finish, 3rd of 8, 6l behind Just Beth (10-10) at Bangor 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) sft in Dec.
Desert Tommy 20-1 (10-13) Always behind, tailed off 4 out and soon pulled up 3 out in race won by Karanja (11-1) at Newbury 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gs in Nov, 21 ran.
Vicario 4-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, went 2nd at 6th, led approaching 2 out, soon clear from last, won at Haydock 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) hvy in Dec beating Ile de Paris (10-13) by 7l, 12 ran.
Huka Lodge (IRE) 14-1 (11-4) Led to 8th, weakened approaching 3 out, 7th of 11, 33l behind Allistathebarrista (10-7) at Wetherby 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft in Dec.
Tomenoso 14-1 (10-10) Held up mid-division, headway 3 out, led next, soon ridden, stayed on well, won at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) hvy in Dec beating John Forbes (10-4) by 5l, 9 ran.
Great As Gold (IRE) 15-2 (10-12) Tracked leader, left in lead 8th, headed next, led again after 5 out, headed next, kept on, no chance with winner, 2nd of 9, 9l behind Another Promise (11-12) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Dec.
Moustique de L'Isle (FR) 8-1 (10-9) Prominent, weakened 4 out, tailed off, 7th of 9, well behind Kitski (10-0) at Market Rasen 3m 1f hcp chs 0-140 (2) sft in Dec.
Lazy But Lively (IRE) 11-2 (11-6) Behind, outpaced 9th, stayed on well from 2 out, never near leaders, 4th of 10, 32l behind Matmata de Tendron (10-11) at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft in Dec.
