mid-division, some progress 3 out, held when mistake 2 out
chased clear leading pair, headway to track leader 3 out, led 2 out, kept on well and hung left close home
held up, behind when pulled up before 2 out
held up, progress after 3 out, plugged on
led, headed 5th, weakened 3 out
with clear leader, led 5th, headed 2 out, soon weakened
in touch, ridden and headway 3 out, chased winner approaching last, kept on
always in rear
Darizan gets the vote in division two of the novices hurdle with Westgate and Petit Turk rating the main dangers. The selection was a fair third behind Wydello last time out, that form sets the standard in the context of this race and under similar conditions here he looks the one to be on. Westgate rates the main danger in his latest second behind Mohayer but he has had plenty of chances in similar races of late without taking one and again he looks vulnerable. Petit Turk has shown a modicum of ability to date over hurdles and is another with place claims but he has looked a non stayer in the past and at likely odds looks worth taking on. Of the remainder My Skipper is from a yard in form but all his best efforts have come on a faster surface and with this in mind for the winner we return to Darizan.
Chicago Jazz (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Held up, headway over 4f out, weakened final 2f, 9th of 12, 33l behind Smart Tom (11-0) at Haydock 1m 5f nhf (6) hvy in Dec.
Darizan (IRE) 66-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders, led 3 out, ridden when headed after 2 out, faded, 3rd of 15, 8l behind Wyldello (10-11) at Hereford 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Double The Trouble 100-1 (10-9) Pulled hard, led 2nd until 7th, no extra when pulled up 2 out in race won by Duc De Regniere (11-5) at Kempton 2m 5f nov hdl (4) gs, 15 ran.
Jigsaw Dancer (IRE) 150-1 (11-3) Led until unseated rider in race won by Wise Owl (11-3) at Taunton 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gs, 11 ran.
My Skipper (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) Behind, under pressure and weakened approaching 3 out, 8th of 13, 34l behind My Turn Now (11-5) at Kempton 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Petit Turk (FR) 18-1 (10-13) Tracked winner and keen, weakened 3 out, 5th of 9, 35l behind Marodima (11-1) at Towcester 2m nov hdl (3) hvy.
Westgate (IRE) 25-1 (10-9) Led, soon clear, hit 4 out, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, kept on, 2nd of 10, 5l behind Mohayer (11-2) at Haydock 2m nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Dec.
Jaunty Flight 50-1 (10-9) Mid-division, steady headway approaching 5th, blundered and unseated rider 3 out in race won by Snow Patrol (11-2) at Chepstow 2m nh mdn hdl (5) hvy, 13 ran.
Mrs Bridge 66-1 (11-2) Soon behind, 13th of 15, well behind Arctic Magic (10-13) at Chepstow 2m mrs nhf (6) sft.
Rich Nomad 100-1 (10-5) Mid-division, ridden over 4f out, soon weakened, 9th of 19, 34l behind Freddie The Third (10-7) at Warwick 2m nhf (6) hvy in Jan.
