took keen hold, held up in 4th, close up after 3 out, led, going well approaching 2 out, ridden before last, stayed on well flat
took keen hold, tracked leading pair, closed up after 3 out, ridden and effort on inside approaching 2 out, chased winner soon after, no impression flat
led, hit 2nd, headed 3rd, chased leader, led briefly 3 out, weakened from next
chased leader, led 3rd, hit next, mistake and headed 3 out, regained lead soon after, headed approaching 2 out, weakened between last 2
held up, ridden and closed up approaching 2 out, went 3rd and jumped right last, no chance with front pair
not fluent, always last, soon struggling, tailed off, finished lame
LEVERA impressed many shrewd judges with his hurdling at Huntingdon on debut and can maintain his unbeaten record here at the main expense of Woolcombe Folly and Maslak. Although the form of that maiden hurdle has not worked out with the second been beaten twice since, Levera a smart flat performer on his day, can continue on the winning trail here. Woolcombe Folly has ample experience but this is stiffest task over hurdle up to now. He has been found wanting on more than one occasion in better company when strongly fancied while Maslak put in a superb round of jumping to gallop his rivals into submission at Market Rasen last time. He did get a relatively soft lead there and a close eye should be kept on how the second, Unfurled fares in the finale at Cheltenham on Friday which will provide a good idea with regard to the merits of the form. Desert Abbey is a smart mare on her day and appeared to be found out by the heavy ground at Tipperary last time. Oceana Gold was a rare recruit from the flat for trainer Emma Lavelle whose yard can do little wrong at present. If he attracted market support it should be taken on board but Levera is given the nod.
Woolcombe Folly (IRE) 1-7fav (11-8) Held up last, headway 3 out, led flat, pushed out, won at N Abbot 2m 3f nov hdl (3) gf in Jun beating Johnny Bissett (10-7) by 2l, 5 ran.
Levera 11-10fav (11-0) Held up in touch, headway approaching 3 out, led approaching last, driven out, won at Huntingdon 2m mdn hdl (4) gf in Aug beating Muraco (10-13) by 2l, 12 ran.
Maslak (IRE) 9-4fav (11-5) Made all, 4 lengths clear when mistake 2 out, driven and stayed on well flat, won at Market Rasen 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gd in Sept beating Unfurled (10-12) by 4l, 12 ran.
Oceana Gold 6-4fav (10-12) Raced keenly, always prominent, led going well 3 out, drew clear from 2 out easily, won at Huntingdon 2m nov hdl (4) gs beating Quamerone (10-5) by 13l, 13 ran.
Desert Abbey (IRE) 5-1 (11-3) In touch in last, 4th after 3 out, soon ridden, no impression in moderate 3rd from 2 out, 3rd of 5, 11l behind Vital Plot (11-1) at Tipperary 2m nov hdl Grd 3 hvy.
Princely Ted (IRE) 33-1 (8-1) Tracked leader, led over 3f out, ridden when headed over 2f out, weakened, 9th of 13, 24l behind Desert Hawk (8-1) at W'hampton 1m 1f app hcp (6) pol in Aug (Flat).
Fire And Rain (FR) 7-2 (11-0) Mid-division, progress to chase leaders 6th, jumped slowly next, soon ridden and beaten, weakening when jumped left 3 out, 6th of 13, 50l behind Ballykelly (11-0) at Towcester 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gs in May.
