mid-division, headway approaching 5th, went 2nd after 3 out until mistake 2 out, soon weakened, mistake last
held up in rear, stayed on from 2 out, never dangerous
tracked leaders, not fluent 5th, soon weakened
held up towards rear, mistake 2nd, some headway when hampered 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out
prominent, jumped slowly 3rd, weakened approaching 3 out
held up in rear, mistake 3rd and 5th, hampered 3 out, always behind
not jumped well, mid-division, some headway after 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out
held up in rear, raced keenly, never nearer
mid-division, not fluent 5th, headway when hampered 3 out, went 3rd 2 out, no impression approaching last
raced keenly, jumped left, prominent, led approaching 3rd, ridden flat, headed towards finish
held up mid-division, no chance after 3 out
held up towards rear, hampered 3 out, headway soon after, edged right and went 2nd 2 out, stayed on strongly under pressure to lead towards finish
led until approaching 3rd, remained prominent, weakened approaching 2 out
held up in rear, raced keenly, jumped right 3rd, always behind
in touch until weakened quickly approaching 2 out
held up towards rear, hampered 3 out, headway approaching 2 out, went 4th before last, not troubled leaders
There's plenty of jumps debutants in this Novice Hudle field who could be anything now switching to this sphere but having won well on his own hurdling bow we're happy to give Tim Vaughan's SLIP the vote at the expense of the more experienced pair of Hellfire Club and Gratification. Six lengths was the margin of victory for the pick on his first start under National Hunt rules and he who also won four times on the flat earning a useful enough rating in the 80s. We don't yet know what he beat on that jumping debut but the yard are in good form and he'll have every help from saddle with the champion taking the ride. Hellfire Club made a very pleasing return from a 759 day absence to place on what was also his hurdles debut last time. It's not unfeasible to suggest that he'll build on that outing and could go very close. Gratification raced keenly on his jumping bow last time and if settling better could well be a player here while Venetia Williams sends out El Distintivo for his first run in this sphere and he was a Grade One performer on the continent so any market support for him would be interesting. All in all this contest won't take much winning so Slip should make it two from two over timber.
Slip 7-1 (10-9) Held up in touch, headway 3 out, led 2 out, ran on well, won at Stratford 2m mdn hdl (3) gf in Oct beating Best Oscar (10-11) by 6l, 13 ran.
Bagsy's Bridge (IRE) 18-1 (11-4) Mid-division, pushed along approaching 4th, in touch when mistake 2 out, soon weakened, 7th of 10, 36l behind Neil Harvey (11-4) at Towcester 2m nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
Bankers Bonus (IRE) 66-1 (10-9) Raced keenly, chased leaders to after 4th, tailed off, 15th of 16, well behind Rebel Du Maquis (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Carbon Print (USA) 7-1 (9-4) Held up in rear, effort 4f out, weakened 3f out, 7th of 8, 11l behind Pretty Officer (8-7) at Yarmouth 1m 2f app hcp 0-60 (6) gf in Aug (flat).
Contrada 8-1 (8-6) Always in rear, ridden over 3f out, looked awkward from over 1f out, last of 8, 9l behind Manshoor (9-0) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Apr (flat).
Departed (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Mid-division, not fluent 1st, pushed along 7th, never near leaders, 6th of 10, 9l behind Qianshan Leader (10-12) at Bangor 2m 4f nh nov hdl (3) gd in Oct.
El Distintivo (ARG) Body Glove gelding out of Shy Susana.
Final Son 16-1 (9-4) Soon led, ran wide on bend and headed 2f out, recovered to challenge on outside over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 8th of 13, 4l behind Arty Crafty (8-11) at Kempton 1m 2f stks 0-55 (6) pol in Sep (flat).
Gratification 22-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, raced keenly, mistake and hampered 1st, jumped right 4th, headway when hit 7th, jumped right 3 out, soon beaten, 4th of 10, 12l behind Civil Servant (10-5) at Uttoxeter 2m NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) gd in Oct.
Hellfire Club 11-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, took good hold, chased winner after 7th until 2 out, weakening when hit last, 3rd of 10, 11l behind Civil Servant (10-5) at Uttoxeter 2m NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) gd in Oct.
Know Your Place 25-1 (10-12) In touch, lost place approaching 3rd, behind when not fluent 4th, hung left on bend approaching 3 out, passed beaten horses home straight, 6th of 16, 37l behind Rebel Du Maquis (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Mr Plod 150-1 (10-9) Led to 1st, chased leaders, weakened approaching 2 out, 7th of 16, 23l behind West With The Wind (10-12) at Doncaster 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gd in Dec.
Rock 'n' Roller (FR) 10-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, steady headway into 5th when mistake 8th, weakened after next, 7th of 9, well behind Tyrrells Wood (11-0) at Plumpton 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Apr.
Sarando 15-2 (9-2) Led until over 6f out, ridden over 2f out, quickly one pace, 6th of 11, 5l behind Dishdasha (8-11) at Great Leighs 1m 5f hcap (6) pol in Jan (flat).
Binfield (IRE) 10-1 (9-4) Led, 3l clear 3f out, ridden and headed entering final furlong, no extra, 6th of 13, 3 1/2l behind Red Suede Shoes (9-1) at Kempton 1m hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Oct (flat).
Ci Vediamo (IRE) 4-1 (10-10) Held up towards rear, not fluent, effort after 8th, weakened approaching 3 out, eased and tailed off, last of 6, well behind Amie Magnificent (11-3) at Ludlow 2m 5f mrs nov hdl (4) gf in Oct.
Lady Sorcerer 8-1 (8-12) Raced wide, in touch, improved to chase leader 3f out, ridden to lead over 2f out, headed narrowly over 1f out, driven and still every chance inside furlong, not quicken towards finish, 2nd of 11, nk behind Orthology (8-12) at Yarmouth 1m 2f 3yo & 4yo sll (6) gd in Oct (flat).
