held up in rear, no real progress after 3 out
took keen hold, mistake 2nd, always rear division, no headway from 3 out
held up towards rear, good headway on outside after 3 out, led 2 out, wandered approaching last, drew clear flat, comfortably
raced on inside, chased leaders until ridden and weakened before 2 out
chased leaders, went right 4 out, weakened before 2 out
keen hold in midfield, hit 3rd, headway approaching 2 out, soon ridden, 5th and no chance when blundered last
held up rear of midfield, pushed along and headway on outside before 2 out, one pace and no impression soon after
raced wide, held up towards rear, chased leaders after 3 out, every chance 2 out, soon ridden, went 2nd last but not pace of winner flat
took keen hold, held up in rear, brief effort on outside approaching 3 out, faded well before next
close up, effort to chase winner and every chance 2 out, ridden and no impression when lost 2nd last, stayed on same pace flat
pressed leader, challenged 4th, hit next, weakened 2 out
pulled hard, chased leaders, hit 3rd and 4 out, still pulling behind leaders when not fluent 3 out, ridden and weakened before 2 out, blundered last
raced on inside, made most until headed 2 out, ridden and weakened between last 2
raced wide, held up in rear, headway on outside before 2 out, soon ridden, no further impression
KNOW THE LAW was travelling ominously well when tipping up at Newbury and he can gain compensation in the last, while First Avenue and Oddshoes are respected. The Nicky Henderson-trained pick may not have eclipsed impressive stablemate Fairyland in that recent contest, but you would have to be impressed with the way he was still travelling, creeping into the race nicely when unseating three out, and he will be nothing like the 14/1 he was that day when they go off here. He goes well on any ground with good in the description, usually jumps very well, and he can gain compensation. First Avenue has been raised 5lbs for going close at Huntingdon last time and has conditions to suit today. The minimum trip is ideal for him and now that he has found some form we give him due respect. Oddshoes is 4lbs higher than when a staying-on Wincanton winner earlier in the month. He goes on any ground and looks likely to be hugely competitive. Wester Ross was beaten from this mark last time but is open to further improvement, although he wouldn't want the ground to be any slower, while the latter comment applies to Royal Rationale. Ronaldo Des Mottes, on the other hand, would prefer genuine soft ground, and this is easier than his last two starts, so you wouldn't rule him out of the prize money. Cheshire Prince would be interesting if backed on this, his handicap introduction, after an impressive novices' win at Huntingdon last month, although he failed to defy a penalty next time and it may be that softer ground is against him. Numide is 12lbs above his sole handicap hurdle success and although he is well used to tougher competition he still looks to be too high in the handicap to be winning here, and we will side with Know The Law.
Numide (FR) 10-1 (10-13) Not always fluent, held up in rear, mistake 3rd, headway 5th, ridden and weakened 3 out, tailed off, 4th of 8, 23l behind King Edmund (10-13) at Plumpton 2m 1f nov chs (3) sft.
Royal Rationale (IRE) 9-2 (11-12) Held up towards rear, raced keenly, headway 7th, weakened flat, 6th of 10, 9l behind Presque Perdre (10-4) at Haydock 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Oct.
Ronaldo Des Mottes (FR) 15-2 (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, weakening when mistake 2 out, 14th of 15, 41l behind Khyber Kim (11-9) at Cheltenham 2m Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3) (4yo+) (1) sft in Nov.
Hibiki (IRE) 5-1 (10-5) Held up in mid-division, ridden and hit 3 out, weakened soon after, 11th of 12, 21l behind Dani's Girl (9-9) at Ascot 2m Listed hcp hdl (1) gd in Oct.
Oddshoes (IRE) 7-4fav (11-12) Chased leader, ridden to lead 2 out, ran on, won at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) hvy beating Sweet World (10-8) by 4 1/2l, 4 ran.
Palomar (USA) 13-2 (10-10) Held up in rear, ridden and outpaced 8th, never on terms, 7th of 9, 21l behind Albanov (10-4) at Kelso 2m 1f Ltd hcp chs (2) gs in Nov.
Benfleet Boy 16-1 (10-10) Led early, remained close up weakened approaching 3 out, 10th of 12, well behind Fairyland (10-8) at Newbury 2m listed hcp hdl 0-145 (1) gs in Nov.
First Avenue 10-1 (11-2) Held up mid-division, headway and not fluent 3 out, led 2 out, caught post, 2nd of 12, ns behind Balzaccio (11-8) at Huntingdon 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs.
Sonning Star (IRE) 3-1 (10-11) Soon tracking leaders, led 5th, blundered and headed 2 out, no extra, 4th of 9, 12l behind Crack Away Jack (10-12) at Sandown 2m 4yo nov hdl (3) gd in Feb '08.
Know The Law 14-1 (10-1) Held up, headway to chase leaders when blundered and unseated rider 3 out, in a race won by Fairyland (10-8) at Newbury 2m listed hcp hdl 0-145 (1) gs in Nov, 12 ran.
Wester Ross (IRE) 9-2 (11-5) Took keen hold, led 2nd, headed after 5th, chased winner 2 out, no impression flat, 2nd of 10, 4 1/2l behind Sereth (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Right Stuff (FR) 7-4fav (11-0) Held up, headway to join leaders when hit 3 out, with winner and seemingly going better when fell 2 out, in a race won by Oddshoes (11-12) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) hvy, 4 ran.
Ray Diamond 14-1 (9-13) Chased leader, not fluent 2nd, ridden approaching 3 out, well beaten in 4th flat, 4th of 6, 33l behind Royal Charm (11-7) at Exeter 2m 1f 4yo hcp hdl (2) hvy.
High Bird Humphrey 9-4fav (11-6) Held up, unseated rider 1st, in a race won by Fred Bojangals (10-0) at Musselburgh 2m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in Nov, 9 ran.
Cheshire Prince 7-2 (10-11) Prominent, went 2nd when landed awkwardly 3 out, soon ridden, no extra towards finish, 4th of 15, 3l behind Dr Livingstone (10-12) at Leicester 2m nh nov hdl (3) gf.
