tracked leaders, ridden 5th, weakened next
tracked leaders and keen, ridden 3 out, weakened soon after
held up, pulled way through to track leaders 3rd, ridden 3 out, pulled up after 2 out
tracked leaders, led approaching 4th, ridden 2 out, kept on
towards rear, headway 4th, ridden and weakening when hampered on bend approaching 7th
in touch, headway 5th, ridden to chase winner 2 out, every chance approaching last, no extra
led, headed 3rd, weakened 5th, tailed off 2 out
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened 5th
held up mid-division, headway 5th, ridden to chase leaders 2 out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, headway to join winner 3 out, ridden 2 out, soon weakened
in rear and jumped right 1st, detached from 2nd, well behind when stayed on well after 3 out, nearest finish
Hi Dancer gets the nod over Left Hand Drive, with Brastar Jelois and Princess Toto another pair to note in the finale. Pat Haslam sets a poser by running both Princess Toto and Hi Dancer, but the balance of form points us the way of the latter who was not disgraced in finishing third in a decent Grade 2 hurdle at Newcastle just six days ago. That effort showed that he does not mind cut in the ground despite his sole success over timber coming on much faster going at Stratford in July, and with his pilot able to claim 8lb off his back, he should be bang there at the finish. Left Hand Drive has leaped to the top of the handicap on the back of two wins at very moderate level, so although he has a bit of experience, is worth taking on. The selection's stablemate Princess Toto was a beaten favourite in a Wetherby selling hurdle so has plenty on her plate, while Brastar Jelois, a prolific winner on the Flat in France this year, has shown little since coming over to join David Pipe, and may need more time to acclimatise. The market may reveal clues as to the chances of the likes of Sunley Song and Canopus, but all in all, Hi Dancer is the percentage call.
Left Hand Drive 9-2 (11-4) Led to 1st, tracked leader, led 3 out, narrowly headed last, driven to regain lead towards finish, won at Plumpton 2m 3yo nov hdl (3) gd in Oct beating Sahf London (10-12) by a hd, 5 ran.
Tabaran (FR) 100-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, ridden after 5th, not much room 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 5th of 8, 20l behind Paradi (10-12) at Leicester 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Decree Nisi 20-1 (10-7) Held up, headway after 5th, challenged for 3rd briefly 3 out, soon weakened, 4th of 10, well behind Warne's Way (10-5) at Fontwell 2m 2f 3yo nov hdl (4) sft.
Hi Dancer 12-1 (10-1) Raced keenly, led 2nd, headed 3 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 12, 7l behind River Logic (11-4) at Newcastle 2m 3yo nov hcp hdl (2) sft.
Sunley Song 8-1 (10-5) Mid-division, headway 4th, ridden approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 9th of 13, 11l behind Our Joycey (11-0) at Leicester 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in Nov.
Canopus 10-3 (10-7) Chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, weakening when mistake next, 8th of 14, 13l behind Swift Sailor (11-8) at Plumpton 2m nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Oct.
Ryhope Chief (IRE) 20-1 (9-8) In touch, weakening when hampered on bend after 8th, well behind when pulled up at the last in race won by Hello It's Me (10-10) at Ludlow 2m 5f amt hcp hdl (4) gs, 16 ran.
Midnight Diamond (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Mid-division, pushed along approaching 4 out, soon outpaced, kept on from next, 4th of 9, 28l behind Categorical (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 3yo mdn hdl (5) sft in Nov.
Kalatime (IRE) 16-1 (10-5) Mid-division, headway 3rd, every chance 3 out, weakened next, 5th of 13, 26l behind Altilhar (10-12) at Fakenham 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Brastar Jelois (FR) 100-1 (10-5) Always behind, no impression, 8th of 12, 34l behind Liberate (11-5) at Wincanton 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Princess Toto 9-4jt-fav (10-5) Chased leaders, ridden and reminded 5th, outpaced next, stayed on from 2 out, never dangerous, 5th of 9, 16l behind Arisea (10-5) at Wetherby 2m 3yo nov sll hdl (5) gd in Nov.
