tracked leading pair, challenge going well from 2 out, upsides when left 3 lengths clear last, idle towards finish, driven out
tracked leader, veered left at 5th, led 2 out, driven between last 2, joined when mistake and unseated rider last
always in rear, struggling from 6th, tailed off
led, ridden after 3 out, headed 2 out, soon dropped to 3rd, left 2nd at last, kept on, idled towards finish, always held
chased leaders in 4th, ridden approaching 3 out, left 3rd at last
Not many of the six runners declared for this contest can be given much of a chance and despite last time out Market Rasen winner Nikos Extra looking to have solid claims for Alan King, it may be worth siding with hurdling newcomer EARTH DREAM, who gets the vote over Just Shove It. The last mentioned has yet to race but Jonjo O'Neill's gelding is bred to be useful being a half-brother to Don't Push It and he has to be respected. Son of Karinga and Pride of Mine make very limited appeal and of more interest may be Tide Slider, who has found just one too good in each of his last two starts but they have been in ordinary races and a rating of 99 suggests that he would need to improve to trouble the judge. The vote though goes to the Paul Nicholls-trained Earth Dream who lacks any hurdling experience but has shown decent form in bumpers and he should improve for stepping up to this distance on his hurdling debut.
Nikos Extra (FR) 13-2 (10-11) In touch, driven and stayed on to lead last, ridden out flat, won at Market Rasen 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Sept beating Sergheyev (10-12) by 3 1/2l, 13 ran.
Earth Dream (IRE) 13-2 (10-13) Mid-division, steady headway from over 6f out, effort over 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 13, 3 1/2l behind Beat The System (10-9) at Taunton 2m 1f nhf (5) gs in Apr.
Son of Karinga 12-1 (10-6) Tracked leaders, ridden and lost place over 4f out, tailed off, 11th of 12, well behind Karabak (11-1) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nhf (6) gd in Apr.
Tide Slider 12-1 (10-5) In touch, effort 3 out, soon ridden, kept on, no impression flat, 2nd of 12, 6l behind Mister Wiseman (10-2) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Sept.
Pride of Mine 11-1 (10-7) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Paddleyourowncanoe (11-0) at Southwell 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gd in Sept, 13 ran.
Just Shove It (IRE) Perpendicular gelding, half-brother to 1m-1m2f winner Larifaari and winning jumper/bumper Don't Push It.
