prominent, pushed up to challenge 2f out, led 1f out, soon ridden, hard pressed final 100 yards, edged left towards finish, held on close home
led, ridden over 2f out, headed 1f out, stayed on same pace
towards rear, headway 6f out, ridden 3f out, stayed on well from over 1f out to challenge final 100 yards, bumped and pushed left towards finish, just held close home
in rear, ridden and struggling over 4f out
mid-division, lost place 7f out, ridden and struggling over 4f out
mid-division, took keen hold, headway over 5f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
tracked leaders, pushed along 4f out, weakened over 3f out
took keen hold, tracked leaders, ridden over 4f out, soon weakened, tailed off
Eradicate has developed into a useful hurdler and landed the Grade 3 Swinton Handicap at Haydock on his final start over timber in May. He's won three times on the Flat including in Listed company, form which suggests he should have the legs of these. However, he may just need the run and Perception is one of those that can get the better of him. Alan King's charge is rated a long way below Eradicate on the level but has a fitness advantage having had a run over timber last month and is a real specialist around here having won twice over the C&D. Another with a real liking for the track and trip is ALSADAA and he gets the vote. A winner here in January and February, he had a recent spin on the track over a trip too short which should have brought him to the boil for this. Advisor has won over a mile on the Flat and twice over timber in novice company around this time last season and he's another who can get involved.
Advisor (FR) 16-1 (10-7) Not always fluent, towards rear until badly hampered and unseated rider 4 out, in a race won by Tocca Ferro (10-13) at Newbury 2m Listed hcap hdle (1) gs in Nov, 12 ran.
Alsadaa (USA) 25-1 (11-2) Led, challenged from 3 out, headed before next, soon weakened, 6th of 11, 16l behind Tocca Ferro (10-2) at Ascot 2m Listed hcp hdl (1) gd in Oct.
Eradicate (IRE) 16-1 (10-1) Held up in mid-division, not fluent 3 out, headway next, ridden to lead approaching last, driven out, kept on well, won at Haydock 2m hcp hdl G3 (1) gd in May beating Overturn (11-0) by 2 3/4l, 23 ran.
Good Buy Dubai (USA) 66-1 (11-8) Held up towards rear, ridden 5th, headway approaching 3 out, weakened before last, 6th of 9, 35l behind Big Talk (10-6) at Leicester 2m sll hdl (5) sft in Nov.
Sablazo (FR) 100-1 (10-12) Took keen hold, always in rear, lost touch before 3 out, tailed off, 9th of 10, well behind Skint (10-12) at Wincanton 2m NH nov hdl 4-6yo (3) gd in Nov.
Spiritual Guidance (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) Held up, effort approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 10th of 14, 38l behind Taffy Thomas (11-4) at Ffos Las 2m mdn hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Perception (IRE) 7-2 (10-12) Took keen hold early and prominent until steadied rear, in touch at 5th, smooth headway going well before 3 out, 2nd before 2 out, narrow lead when hit last and headed soon after, rallied close home, just held, 2nd of 6, hd behind Matako (11-4) at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Nov.
Salybia Bay 11-1 (11-1) Always towards rear, 9th of 11, well behind Babilu (11-3) at Taunton 2m 1f Mares Handicap Hurdle (0-110) (3yo+) (4) gd in Nov.
Days of Pleasure (IRE) 25-1 (11-1) Held up, headway after 6th, ridden and lost place 9th, weakened approaching 3 out, 7th of 13, 37l behind Victors Serenade (11-2) at Exeter 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Nov.
Kasban 14-1 (10-6) Held up towards rear, hit 4 out and ridden, headway to 4th before 2 out, 3rd before last, staying on when badly hampered and stumbled flat, not recover, 3rd of 12, 3 1/2l behind Kauto The Roc (10-8) at Kempton 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Nov.
Sun Quest 11-2 (10-5) Disputed lead until advantage 5th, headed next, chased winner until before 2 out, soon ridden and beaten, left modest 4th last, 4th of 9, 13l behind Alph (11-5) at Lingfield 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) hvy in Nov.