race keenly, led, headed after 5th, beaten approaching 3 out, tailed off
in touch, came 2nd after 5th, mistake 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off
held up towards rear, headway approaching 5th, led 2 out, headed last, soon outpaced by winner
in touch, came 2nd approaching 4th, not fluent 5th, soon led, headed after 3 out, weakened approaching last
pulled hard, always well in rear, tailed off after 5th
race keenly, prominent, still well 2 out, weakened approaching last
in touch to 4th, behind and not fluent 5th, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
mid-division, headway approaching 4th, led after 3 out to 2 out, beaten before last, weakened flat
awkward before start and rider started off without irons, held up, headway approaching to 5th, led last, pushed clear flat
always in rear, tailed off after 5th
chased leader, jumped right 3rd, weakened 5th, soon pulled up
rear of mid-division, mistake 4th, struggling next, tailed off
MUTUAL RESPECT ran to a fair level of form in bumpers, has shown progressive form over hurdles and the Evan Williams-trained gelding looks to have been found a suitable opportunity to open his account over timber so he gets the vote ahead of Northern Lad and Gloucester. The last mentioned ran much better than could have been expected from out of the handicap at Haydock when last seen over hurdles in May and has had the benefit of a recent run on the flat so he has to be considered. Pam Sly's Samarinda returns to hurdles for the first time since 2006 but remains a doubtful stayer and of more interest may be Oliver Sherwood's Argento Luna, who has shown a decent level of form in bumpers and now makes his hurdling debut. Jim Best's Northern Lad has shown similarly useful form in bumpers and is another to consider but it is Mutual Respect that gets the vote.
Peak Seasons (IRE) 18-1 (10-11) Raced freely, leading when fell 3 out in race won by Kirkhammerton (11-0) at Southwell 2m nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Sept, 14 ran.
Danski 22-1 (9-7) With leader to over 2f out, weakening when hampered 2f out, soon eased, 12th of 14, 15l behind Dear Maurice (9-10) at Windsor 1m hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Jun (Flat).
Gloucester 66-1 (10-0) Held up, ridden 3 out, headway approaching next, kept on same pace, 6th of 24, 10l behind Blue Bajan (10-8) at Haydock 2m hcp hdl Grd 3 (1) gd in May.
Mutual Respect (IRE) 15-8 (11-0) Led, ridden 2 out, hung right approaching last and not fluent, headed towards finish, 2nd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Sharevar (11-0) at Sedgefield 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gf in Sept.
Northern Lad (IRE) 3-1 (10-13) Held up, steady headway over 3f out, ridden and switched right 2f out, soon chasing winner, wandered under pressure, 2nd of 12, 3/4l behind Smuglin (10-4) at Worcester 2m nhf (6) gd in May.
Petrosian 100-1 (8-7) Slowly away, always behind, last of 12, 29l behind Mahadee (8-10) at Great Leighs 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) std (Flat).
Phal 50-1 (10-7) Behind, driven along 4th, soon lost touch, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Harcourt (10-12) at Plumpton 2m nov hdl (3) gs in Nov '06, 10 ran.
Picky 12-1 (10-4) Mid-division, ridden and outpaced after 3 out, soon beaten, 7th of 14, 24l behind Breaking Storm (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 3f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Aug.
Argento Luna 11-1 (11-4) Held up, good headway 3f out, ridden over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 5th of 20, 4l behind Carole's Legacy (10-12) at Aintree 2m 1f mrs lst nhf (1) gd in Apr.
Canary Girl 80-1 (10-0) Pulled hard, tracked leader until weakened over 3f out, last of 11, 40l behind Artreju (10-10) at Newmarket 1m 2f amt hcp 0-70 (5) gf in May (Flat).
Lookouthereicome 200-1 (10-2) Chased leaders, weakened after 6th, blundered badly 2 out, 12th of 16, 40l behind Rawaabet (11-12) at Uttoxeter 2m sll hdl (5) gs in Sept.
Only Hope 40-1 (10-3) Held up, headway to chase leaders, weakened last, 4th of 9, 13l behind Nayodabayo (11-2) at Huntingdon 2m 4f cnd sll hdl (5) gf in Aug.
Pat Will (IRE) 66-1 (8-6) Close up 4f, 15th of 17, 35l behind Montemayorprincess (8-8) at Leicester 7f 3yo sll (6) gd in Sept '07 (Flat).
Inwaan (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Took keen hold, held up towards rear, headway when fell 4 out in race won by Proper (10-13) at Huntingdon 2m mdn hdl (4) gf in Aug, 11 ran.
Samarinda (USA) 66-1 (10-12) In rear, no chance when blundered 2 out and pulled up at the last in race won by Prince Ary (10-12) at Fakenham 2m 3yo mdn hdl (4) gs in Dec '06, 14 ran.
Seattle Spy (USA) 100-1 (10-7) Mid-division on inside, outpaced 3 out, weakened next, 8th of 16, 18l behind Gamma Velorum (10-8) at Market Rasen 2m 1f cnd sll hdl (4) gd in Aug.