held up, headway from 6th to press for 2nd next, ridden after 3 out, weakened 2 out
made all, ridden approaching 2 out, went right last, stayed on gamely
held up behind leaders, not fluent 4th or 5th, mistake 3 out, headway to track winner 2 out, soon hung right, not run on flat
tracked winner until mistake and ridden 7th, weakened after 3 out
tracked leaders, raced freely, went 2nd 7th until approaching 2 out, soon beaten, not fluent last
held up in rear, took keen hold, closed 7th, brought wide and close 3rd when fell 2 out
Nonrunner
Pepite Rose won at Folkestone and Warwick last season but may just need her first outing since March and this is her first run in a handicap. Switched Off can be forgiven his run in a better race at Sandown two weeks ago as he blew the start and never looked likely to get involved thereafter. Ian Williams' gelding has decent claims here as has Mr Jay Dee, who will be all the better for his run at Haydock. But we're prepared to give another chance to RISAALA, who won the mares' novices' hurdle on this card 12 months ago and ran as well as could be expected in a Listed contest at Wetherby last time. She's been eased a little by the handicapper and this is her easiest task for some time.
Risaala 10-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, mistake 1st, ridden and headway after 4 out, in 4th before 3 out, one pace and no impression, 4th of 6, 21l behind Alasi (10-12) at Wetherby 2m mrs lst hdl (1) gd in Oct.
Mr Jay Dee (IRE) 5-1 (11-5) Held up off the pace, 5th and ridden after 7th, not fluent and weakened 3 out, 6th of 8, 31l behind My Brother Sylvest (11-2) at Haydock 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gd in Oct.
Switched Off 13-2 (10-1) Hung right throughout, towards rear, ridden and no progress before 2 out, 8th of 12, 18l behind Pateese (11-5) at Sandown 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft.
Kahfre 11-2 (11-3) Held up in rear, ridden before 4 out, headway 2 out, never on terms, 4th of 12, 7l behind Manshoor (11-3) at Lingfield 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs.
Keep Talking (IRE) 16-1 (10-13) Behind, strong headway approaching 6th, soon chasing leaders, every chance 2 out, weakened before last, 9th of 16, 20l behind Like A Hurricane (11-7) at Ascot 2m 3f nov hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Oct '10.
Gunslinger (FR) 3-1fav (11-11) Held up in rear, took keen hold, headway approaching 4th, challenged 3 out, beaten 2 out, soon weakened, 6th of 9, 25l behind Parc Des Princes (10-10) at Bangor 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Aug.
Pepite Rose (FR) 11-4 (11-3) Close up, chased leaders 3 out, went 2nd and blundered last, weakened soon after, 4th of 13, 15l behind Semi Colon (11-0) at Exeter 2m 3f mares NH nov hdl (4) gs in Mar.
