towards rear, steady headway after 4 out, pushed along home turn, ridden in 3rd before 2 out, ran on same pace
mid-division on outer, ridden after 3 out, weakened next
front mid-division, prominent 4 out, soon pushed along, dropped away before 2 out
made all, pushed along home turn, ridden after 2 out, stayed on, unchallenged
mid-division, pushed along before 2 out, plugged on, never a danger
mid-division, lost touch after 3 out
tracked leaders, not fluent 8th, ridden and went 2nd before 2 out, kept on but no impression, ran on towards finish, not pace to challenge
mid-division, not fluent 1st, awkward and reminders next, soon went handy, cajoled along at times, dropped away tamely 4 out, pulled up after next
in rear, pushed along 4 out, tailed off before 2 out, pulled up after 2 out
NonRunner
Interesting to see the nicely-treated If I Say returned to hurdles. The Longsdon mare gained her sole success under Rules over timber last season and should go well under Lilly Pinchin. Counteract returns from a 195-day break and the promising Elizabeth Gale has been booked. He is hard to get a handle on but would be of interest if the market speaks favourably of his chance. Poker Master is considered after posting a pleasing return to action this month following a break and Oceans Red has to be be of interest too reverting to hurdles for an in-form yard. It is an open race but the choice is MASTERDREAM, who was a tad disappointing just nine days ago. It is notable to see him back in action quickly and the strength of his previous run when scoring at Hereford reads well.
Poker Master (IRE) 22-1 (11-10) Close up, pushed along 2 out, kept on same pace flat, 4th of 11, 7 1/4l behind Baddesley (11-8) at Plumpton 2m 5f hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Masterdream (FR) 3-1 (11-12) Handy, pressed leader before 2 out, ridden and every chance last, kept on and not much room between leaders run-in, switched right and no extra final 100 yards, 5th of 10, 5 3/4l behind General Hubble (10-9) at Market Rasen 2m 7f hcp (5) gs in Nov.
Anger Management 9-2 (11-7) Prominent, not fluent 5th outpaced and lost place next, well held after 3 out, 5th of 7, dist behind Mikhailovich (11-12) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp (5) gd in Oct.
The Wise Traveller (IRE) 10-1 (10-13) In rear, mistake 1st, mistake 3rd, well behind from 12th, tailed off, 7th of 10, dist behind Tedwin Hills (11-6) at Huntingdon 3m hcp (5) gd in Oct.
Quiet Thunder (IRE) 9-2 (11-10) Never travelling, midfield, dropped to rear before 2nd, ridden before 4th where edged right, not fluent 5th, detached with a circuit to go, not fluent 8th, headway in rear approaching last, stayed on run-in, no danger, 4th of 8, 18 3/4l behind Shewearsthewellies (11-4) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp (5) gd in Sep.
Mr Palmtree (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway 7th, outpaced before 3 out, soon weakened, 8th of 11, 36 3/4l behind She's So Lovely (10-13) at Warwick 3m 1f hcp (5) gd in May.
Oceans Red 7-2cfav (11-8) Led, headed and tracked leader 3rd, pushed along and outpaced by front duo home turn, ridden and weakened last, 5th of 6, 12 3/4l behind Reign Suepreme (10-6) at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp (5) gd in Oct.
If I Say (IRE) 9-1 (11-1) Towards rear, behind 7th, left remote 3rd last, 3rd of 8, dist behind Regarde (12-0) at Huntingdon 3m hcp (5) gd in Oct.
Counteract 20-1 (10-11) Off the pace and always towards rear, 7th of 12, 23 3/4l behind Hello Sunshine (11-8) at Plumpton 3m 1f hcp (5) gd in May.
Tis But A Scratch 33-1 (10-2) Chased leaders on outside, ridden after 3 out, weakened before 2 out, 6th of 8, 26 1/4l behind Shewearsthewellies (10-9) at Lingfield 2m 7f hcp (5) sft in Nov.
