always behind
chased leader, not fluent 4th, led 3 out, driven out
chased leaders, outpaced 2 out, kept on flat
in touch, ridden approaching 2 out, one pace flat
led to 3 out, soon ridden, weakening approaching last
held up and keen, headway 3 out, ridden 2 out, no extra flat
held up, hit 2nd, ridden after 3 out, never trouble leaders
held up, headway 4th, ridden 3 out, soon weakened
mid-division, headway 3 out, ridden 2 out, weakened last
mid-division, mistake 2nd, ridden 3 out, soon weakened
mid-division, headway 5th, ridden to chase winner approaching 2 out, stayed on
behind, some headway 2 out, never dangerous
A wide open handicap hurdle and many would have chances on their best form, but the principals look to be Elegant Clutter, Sea The Light and Sunisa, and the narrow vote is given to Elegant Clutter. The selection won well last time out and while he has risen in the weights for that win, he looks a progressive type and under conditions that suit, he is taken to defy the handicaper. Sea The Light rates the main danger as he looks well weighted on his best form of last season. The suspicion is he may just need the run after a 218 day absence and he is taken on with this in mind. Sunisa is another last time out winner that could go well. Unfortunately, the second has since let the form down and the horse is taken on with this in mind. Flamand has place claims but all his best form is on a softer surface. Reaching Out hails from a shrewd yard and should be noted in the market. Elegant Clutter is taken to win this before going on to better things.
Le Corvee (IRE) 66-1 (11-1) In touch to approaching 5th, tailed off and pulled up 3 out in race won by Shamayoun (11-3) at Cheltenham 2m 4yo hcp hdl (1) gs in Mar, 24 ran.
Sea The Light 10-1 (11-4) Mid-division, mistake 5th, ridden, weakened 3 out, 8th of 12, 25l behind Oscatello (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov hdl (2) gd in Apr.
Elegant Clutter (IRE) 3-1 (10-11) Held up, headway 3 out, ridden approaching last, led flat, eased towards finish, won at Uttoxeter 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in May beating Imperial Royale (9-11) by 7l, 7 ran.
Three Ships 40-1 (11-1) Keen, held up, hit 3rd, headway 4 out, chased leaders next, ridden and weakened 2 out, 5th of 12, 17l behind Bonchester Bridge (10-1) at Huntingdon 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf.
Honest Endeavour 50-1 (11-5) Tracked leader, led approaching 4 out, ridden and headed 2 out, soon weakened, 7th of 13, 17l behind Sunisa (10-7) at Haydock 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd.
Reaching Out (IRE) 11-2 (11-4) Mid-division, headway after 3 out, every chance next, soon ridden, no extra flat, 2nd of 13, 4l behind Red Sun (10-5) at Sedgefield 2m 1f clm hdl (5) gf in Sept.
Indian Star (GER) 16-1 (11-2) Held up last, ridden some headway 3 out, oen pace after, 5th of 6, 9l behind Mikado Melody (11-6) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Oct.
Guerilla (AUS) 14-1 (11-4) Held up, not fluent 1st, ridden, hit and weakened 3 out, 9th of 12, 32l behind Bonchester Bridge (10-1) at Huntingdon 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf.
Sunisa (IRE) 10-3fav (10-7) Held up mid-division, headway approaching 4 out, ridden 2 out, led last, driven out, won at Haydock 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd beating So Cloudy (10-0) by 1l, 13 ran.
Spike Jones (NZ) 20-1 (11-0) Mid-division, ridden when not fluent 6th, soon well behind, 10th of 14, 50l behind Gaelic Flight (10-10) at N Abbot 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf in Apr.
Flamand (FR) 25-1 (9-10) Held up, headway 5th, led on bit approaching last, soon clear, won at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in Sept beating Nesnaas (10-12) by 11l, 9 ran.
Majorca 16-1 (10-11) Held up towards rear, ridden and fell 2 out in race won by Bonchester Bridge (10-1) at Huntingdon 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf, 12 ran.
