tracked leader, headway 3 out, led after next, 3 lengths clear when mistake last, ridden out flat
raced keenly, held up behind, not fluent 4th, smooth headway after 4 out, chased leading pair before next, ridden and effort 2 out, went 3 lengths down in 2nd last, no impression
held up in 4th, ridden after 4 out, soon outpaced, lost place and no impression from next, stayed on to regain moderate 4th after last
tracked leading pair, driven after 4 out, soon lost place, 4th and outpaced when blundered next, no impression from next
held up behind, hit 4th and next, outpaced after 4 out, weakened next
led, driven 3 out, headed after next, soon ridden and one pace, lost 2nd last
Nonrunner
An interesting novices' handicap hurdle where it is possible to pick holes in the form of all of them and we will just give THUMBS UP the thumbs up, while Akarshan and Nearby are among the dangers. The last-named represents the in-form yard of Philip Hobbs, and has gone up 5lbs for a good effort in defeat at Newbury last time. Trip and ground suit and he looks fairly treated, so he can go close. Akarshan was a good ground Towcester scorer earlier in the month and carries a 7lb penalty for that here. All of his wins have been right-handed and he might not be so suited this way around so we will take him on. Mesbaah is not one to write off now back over this trip and he will act in these conditions, while King's Counsel hit form at Catterick last time but needs to show improvement to follow-up and we prefer Thumbs Up. Two miles on this ground suits Donald McCain's five-year-old, who has been dropped a handy 2lbs since his last run. He is surely better than that effort and with the stable going well we will give him another chance.
Sir Tantallus Hawk 7-2 (10-12) Tracked leaders, ridden after 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 8th of 14, 46l behind Honest John (10-5) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gs in Feb.
Thumbs Up 7-1 (11-10) Took keen hold in mid-division, weakened before 3 out, 8th of 13, 49l behind Qozak (11-10) at Taunton 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in Jan.
Akarshan (IRE) 10-1 (11-4) Hit 1st, held up in mid-division, headway 4 out, led 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on under pressure from last, won at Towcester 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd beating Smoothly Does It (10-9) by 2 1/2l, 15 ran.
Mesbaah (IRE) 16-1 (11-10) Mid-division when blundered badly and unseated rider soon after 2nd, in a race won by Leith Walk (9-7) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Feb, 13 ran.
Sea Storm (IRE) 12-1 (10-13) Held up, headway to chase leaders 4 out, outpaced next, weakened 2 out, 9th of 13, 21l behind Mesbaah (10-8) at Musselburgh 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Nov.
King's Counsel (IRE) 6-1 (10-4) Made all, jumped right and not fluent 6th, soon went clear, not so far ahead 2 out, drew clear flat, unchallenged, won at Catterick 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Feb beating Don't Rush It (10-6) by 6l, 10 ran.
Nearby 11-4fav (10-2) In touch, headway from 4th, chased leaders 4 out, challenged soon after 3 out, tracked leader going well next, led before last, hard ridden and kept on when pressed soon after, caught on line, 2nd of 9, shd behind Arctic Wings (10-1) at Newbury 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs.
Motarid (USA) 16-1 (11-8) Held up mid-division, lost place and in rear approaching 4 out, soon pulled up, in a race won by Share Option (10-2) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Feb, 17 ran.
