in touch until weakened approaching 2 out
tracked leaders, weakened 3 out
in touch, outpaced 6th, rallied approaching 2 out, no impression
led to 4th, remained prominent, weakened 3 out, tailed off when pulled up before last
mid-division, headway and prominent after 7th, one pace from 2 out
with leader, led approaching 5 out, headed 4 out, soon beaten
towards rear, struggling 4 out, never dangerous
behind, tailed off from halfway
in touch, headway and effort after 3 out, led approaching last, soon clear
chased leaders, led 4 out, headed between last 2, soon no extra
mid-division, headway 4 out, weakened after next, tailed off when pulled up before last
behind, struggling 5th, headway to chase leaders after 3 out, led briefly between last 2, one pace under pressure
towards rear, headway and prominent approaching 2 out, soon ridden and weakened
held in rear, brief effort approaching 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before last
held up, headway to chase leaders 4 out, weakened 2 out
Maraud, Uncle Max and Balmoral Queen look to be the leading lights in this handicap hurdle and the vote is given to Maraud. The selection is without a win now for three years, but he went close to ending that drought when runner-up at Uttoxeter last month. That was an encouraging effort and if he can build on that then he should take the beating. Uncle Max finished in mid-division at Huntingdon last time but he should be suited by the step-up in trip today which may see him in a better light. Balmoral Queen unseated his rider at Kelso last time and he failed to finish after slipping previously on this track. If he complete he will stand an obvious chance but he is one to have reservations about at present. Named At Dinner is better than he showed last time and he could be good enough to claim a place. But Maraud may be worth another chance and he gets our vote.
Uncle Max (IRE) 11-1 (11-0) In touch, mistake 3rd, weakened approaching 3 out, 10th of 17, 29l behind Robbie Can Can (11-9) at Towcester 2m amt hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in Oct.
Balmoral Queen 28-1 (10-10) Led to 3rd, weakened approaching 4th, behind when hampered and unseated rider at the 5th in race won by College City (10-9) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in Oct, 13 ran.
Armentieres 9-1 (11-0) Tracked leader, ridden along 6th, blundered 3 out, soon weakened, 8th of 12, 18l behind Twist N Turn (9-12) at Wetherby 2m 4f sll hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gf in Apr.
Maraud 9-1 (11-2) Led to 8th, coaxed along after, went 2nd after 2 out but not impression on winner, 2nd of 10, 3l behind Needle Prick (11-2) at Worcester 3m sll hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs in Oct.
Good Investment 66-1 (10-7) Mistake 1st, behind when blundered and unseated rider at the 2nd in race won by Not Left Yet (11-7) at Carlisle 2m 4f beg chs (4) gs in Oct, 13 ran.
Named At Dinner 14-1 (10-12) Towards rear, outpaced 4 out, never dangerous, 6th of 13, 25l behind Nicozetto (10-5) at Carlisle 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gs in Oct.
Lucky Arthur (IRE) 9-1 (10-2) In touch, lost place 3 out, soon ridden and weakened, 6th of 16, 27l behind Stormy Beech (11-1) at Sedgefield 2m 1f sll hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gs in Oct.
Our Lawman 100-1 (11-0) Always behind, 10th and no chance when fell at the last in race won by Flash Cummins (11-7) at Sedgefield 2m 4f nov chs (4) gs in Oct, 13 ran.
