led, headed after 3 out, one pace when hampered last, kept on to chase winner flat, no impression
held up, mistake 1st, headway 3 out, one pace and no impression from next
held up, headway 3 out, ridden and no impression from next
soon behind, never dangerous
prominent to 3rd, soon lost place, no danger after
chased leaders, lost place 3 out, behind when pulled up after next
behind, not fluent 4th, never dangerous
in touch, effort 2 out, left 12 lengths 2nd last, no extra on flat
tracked leader, lost place 2 out, soon weakened
held up, effort 2 out, never on terms
raced keenly in touch, left 10 lengths 2nd then brought down last
mistake 1st, mid-division, effort 2 out, no impression approaching next
not fluent, mid-division, headway 3 out, 7 lengths down and one pace when fell last
behind, mistakes 4th and 5th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
Akarem hasn't been seen over hurdles for a while but he should be fit from the flat and so Karl Burke's charge gets the nod ahead of Odd Socks and I'm Delilah. The selection comes here on the back of a run at Doncaster in the November handicap and whilst he has only had three starts over hurdles (one of those a costly odds-on failure), he could hold all the aces here. He is effective with cut in the ground and with more rain forecast, conditions should be ideal for him to record his first win over timber. I'm Delilah is an obvious danger on his hurdling debut; he won a Cheltenham bumper in decisive fashion earlier this year and if he takes to hurdles then he must be a major player. Farne Island has showed ability in two starts to date, whilst Toshi seems to be improving with every start and cannot be ruled out. Compromizenotension and stablemate Odd Socks both need checks in the betting, especially as the former was fairly decent on the flat for Ian Semple and looks the type to do well over hurdles. This course will suit as there are a few doubts over his stamina, however it is Akarem who is given the nomination.
Akarem 2-5fav (11-4) Held up in touch and not fluent, ridden 3 out, one pace, 3rd of 18, 6l behind Regal Heights (10-13) at Ayr 2m mdn hdl (4) hvy in Jan '06.
Chief Scout 20-1 (10-12) Led until 3rd, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out, 9th of 15, 20l behind Platin Grounds (10-12) at Perth 2m nov hdl (4) gf in Sept.
Compromiznotension (IRE) 15-2 (8-12) Led early, chased leader, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 16, 8l behind Esthlos (8-6) at Newcastle 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Mar (Flat).
Farne Island 8-1 (10-12) Pulled hard mid-division, chased leaders 3 out, ridden and one paced from next, no impression, 6th of 11, 22l behind Summer Lodge (11-5) at Newcastle 2m nov hdl (4) gf.
Lord Samposin 66-1 (11-2) Always behind, tailed off 4f out, 15th of 16, well behind Marleybow (10-10) at Haydock 2m nhf (6) gd in Apr.
Odd Socks (IRE) 7-1 (11-4) Held up, headway halfway, ridden out, pace 3f out, kept on under pressure, final 2f, no impression, 3rd of 7, 30l behind Starting Point (11-1) at Newcastle 2m nhf (6) hvy in Mar.
Steel Man (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Led 2nd to 3rd, remained prominent, weakened quickly 7th and pulled up 2 out in race won by Cash Man (10-5) at Hexham 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gf, 13 ran.
Sting (GER) 6-1 (11-1) Raced keenly mid-division, ridden and weakened 3f out, 12th of 18, 32l behind Alderseed (11-1) at Perth 2m nhf (5) gd in May.
Superior Star 20-1 (9-1) Tracked leader, outpaced when hung left over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, one pace, 4th of 11, 9l behind She's Our Lass (9-4) at Ayr 1m 2f hcap (5) gs in Sept (Flat).
Swains Bridge (USA) 100-1 (9-5) Held up, brought wide entering home straight, soon outpaced, 12th of 13, 22l behind Esthlos (9-7) at York 1m 4f app hcp (4) gd in Oct (Flat).
Thunderwing (IRE) 10-1 (8-13) Chased leaders, every chance inside final furlong, held close home, 2nd of 13, hd behind Little Bob (9-3) at Ayr 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) hvy (Flat).
Toshi (USA) 28-1 (10-12) Held up, headway 4th, ridden and every chance after 2 out until no extra flat, 3rd of 14, 2l behind Along The Nile (10-7) at Newcastle 2m nov hdl (4) gf.
Turbo Shandy 20-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out, 10th of 16, 21l behind Jass (11-0) at Kelso 2m nh mdn hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Wroot Danielle (IRE) 16-1 (10-9) Raced keen and prominent, tracked leader after 4f, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 8, 13l behind Living On A Prayer (10-10) at Musselburgh 1m 4f amt hcp 0-80 (5) gd (Flat).
I'm Delilah 15-2 (11-0) Held up off the pace, smooth headway over 4f out, led on bit over 2f out, pushed clear final furlong, won at Cheltenham 2m 1f mrs nhf (4) gd in Apr beating Worbarrow Bay (11-0) by 7l, 18 ran.
Mi Fa Sol Aulmes (FR) 200-1 (10-2) In touch, weakened approaching 4 out, 15th of 16, well behind Marleybow (10-12) at Carlisle 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gd.
