mid-division, reminders from 4th, weakened 8th
always towards rear, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
chased leaders until 6th, soon behind, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
led until 3rd, led next, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out
held up towards rear, headway 8th, soon ridden, weakened after 3 out, pulled up before next
held up towards rear, headway 7th, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, driven along from 6th, soon in rear, hampered 7th
mid-division, headway when blundered badly 6th, behind from next, pulled up before 2 out
chased leaders until 8th, soon weakened
chased leaders until weakened after 7th, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
in touch, headway 8th, ridden to lead 2 out, stayed on gamely from last, driven out
in touch, ridden after 7th, weakened 3 out
always towards rear
prominent, led 3rd until next, weakened 8th
held up behind, headway after 7th, led approaching 3 out, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, soon weakened
prominent until weakened after 7th, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
held up towards rear, fell 7th
mid-division, headway after 7th, soon ridden, weakened after 3 out
in touch, headway 8th, went 2nd after 3 out, hit next, soon ridden, chance last, kept on for clear 2nd but no extra
DIGGER GETS LUCKY is nominated in an open handicap in which Wychwoods Legend, Delena, Perfect Line and Clyffe Hanger are amongst the potential players. Digger Gets Lucky steps into handicap company for the first time having shown promise in novice hurdles behind some fair sorts, including Clay Hollister. His latest performance was arguably his best yet and this step up in trip should bring about some improvement. Wychwoods Legend has run some sound races in defeat and should be competitive again and she is closely matched with Clyffe Hanger who was one place behind at Exeter. They meet on the same terms but Bob Buckler's charge was having his first run for some time and could close the gap. Delena is making her seasonal return but has some fair form to her name for Paul Nicholls and is one to note whilst Perfect Line is another potential improver now handicapping. The Hobbs runner has been well held in all three hurdles starts but showed plenty of promise in a junior bumper on debut and could well leave his hurdling form behind. The twenty runners are only covered by 8lbs and this is difficult to call but Digger Gets Lucky gets our vote.
Royale Rag (FR) 25-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened 2 out, 5th of 14, 34l behind Super Formen (10-7) at Chepstow 2m nov hdl (4) hvy in Feb.
Federstar (GER) 7-1 (11-9) Held up, headway 3 out, under pressure to go 2nd near finish, no chance with winner, 2nd of 6, 9l behind Mr Jack Daniells (11-12) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Jun.
Sparkys Reflection (IRE) 50-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, steady progress after 3 out, staying on when unseated rider at the last in race won by Bold Policy (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 6f mdn hdl (5) sft in Dec, 12 ran.
Buffalo Bob (IRE) 10-3fav (11-7) Chased leader until weakened approaching 2 out, 8th of 13, 17l behind Kadouchski (11-3) at Sandown 2m nov hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Dec.
Digger Gets Lucky (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Prominent, led after 2nd, ridden when headed 2 outpaced, 3rd of 15, 8l behind Quazy de Joie (10-7) at Towcester 2m nh nov hdl (3) gs in Dec.
Topflight Wildbird 8-1 (10-0) In touch, ridden after 3 out, soon beaten, tailed off, 5th of 8, 30l behind Aimigayle (10-6) at Kempton 3m mrs hcp hdl (2) gd in Dec.
Hereditary 25-1 (11-0) In rear, some headway when mistake 3 out, no further progress, 7th of 18, 22l behind Lady Pilot (11-7) at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Dec.
Jean Le Poisson (FR) 18-1 (11-2) Towards rear, soon struggling, pulled up before 8th pulled up at the 8th in race won by Nicto De Beauchene (10-7) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Dec, 11 ran.
Sovereign Spirit (IRE) 33-1 (10-8) Chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, weakened next, 8th of 16, 19l behind Barnhill Brownie (11-12) at Ascot 3m nov hcp hdl (3) gs in Dec.
Lennox Gardens 20-1 (10-12) Chased leaders until outpaced 3 out, stayed on again approaching last, 4th of 11, 12l behind Our Bomber Harris (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Wychwoods Legend 5-1 (11-5) Prominent, ridden to challenge approaching 3 out, led 3 out, soon ridden, headed approaching 2 out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 8, 6l behind Penn Da Benn (11-9) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd.
Sandymac (IRE) 4-1 (11-9) Towards rear, hampered 10th, no chance after, 7th of 14, well behind Soleil Fix (11-9) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in May.
Take A Mile (IRE) 20-1 (11-7) Always towards rear, 8th of 13, 16l behind Equilibria (11-4) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Dec.
Letham Island (IRE) 50-1 (10-10) Held up, ridden after 5th, soon no chance, 11th of 13, well behind Oldrik (11-5) at Taunton 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs.
Pacific Ocean (ARG) 10-1 (10-6) Held up in rear, raced keenly and headway 3rd, soon prominent, hit 3 out, weakened quickly and pulled up 3 out in race won by Midnight Chase (11-7) at Fakenham 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd, 6 ran.
Rapid Return (IRE) 100-1 (10-7) Always towards rear, 10th of 17, 22l behind Somersby (10-12) at Kempton 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Delena 5-4fav (11-0) In touch, headway 6th, every chance after 3 out, soon ridden, weakened after next, 3rd of 13, 16l behind Ping Pong Sivola (11-0) at Taunton 2m 3f mrs mdn hdl (4) hvy in Mar.
Perfect Line 20-1 (10-12) In touch, ridden 3 when mistake 3 out, soon weakened, 5th of 10, 19l behind Manmoon (10-12) at Exeter 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gd.
Clyffe Hanger (IRE) 6-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, stayed on from 2 out, went 3rd close home, 3rd of 8, 6l behind Penn Da Benn (11-9) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd.
Wildbach (IRE) 25-1 (10-0) Held up, effort after 3 out, one pace from next, 6th of 9, 15l behind Little Shilling (10-8) at Fontwell 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-145 (2) sft in Dec.
