chased leaders, jumped slow 2nd, ridden 3 out, weakened after 2 out
keen, with leader, jumped slow 2nd, ridden and every chance 3 out, weakened next
pulled hard, patiently ridden in rear, steady headway from 3 out, led narrowly 2 out, ridden clear
in touch, ridden before 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out
held up, ridden and headway after 3 out, one pace from 2 out, hit last
mid-division, ridden 3 out, weakened next
mid-division, improved to go 3rd before 3 out, soon ridden, kept on from 2 out
led at steady pace, ridden 3 out, headed narrowly 2 out, kept on one pace
Ardesia, Inchlaggan and Starbougg look the three to concentrate on in this novice hurdle and the tentative vote is given to Starbougg. The selection showed improved form to be second behind Parks Prodigy last time out and in receipt of a stone from her main rivals she looks a value bet. Ardesia won well on his debut when beating Bathwick Breeze, that horse has since franked the form but he will do well to give weight and a beating to the selection. Inchlaggan is another that could go well on his latest third behind Tinagoodnight but he barely saw out the trip last time and will have to be ridden with more restraint if he is to score. Of the remainder Approved Force has the ability to go close but also has his own ideas about the game so he cannot be put forward with much confidence and with this in mind for the winner we return to Starbougg.
Ardesia (IRE) 33-1 (10-5) Held up towards rear, headway after 5th, challenging when mistake 2 out, stayed on under pressure to lead near finish, won at Uttoxeter 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) sft in Oct beating Bathwick Breeze (10-12) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
Inchlaggan (IRE) 2-1jt-fav (11-4) Led, joined and driven soon after 3 out, headed under pressure well before 2 out, weakened and lost 2nd 2 out, 3rd of 7, 14l behind Tinagoodnight (10-5) at Kempton 2m 3yo nov hdl (3) gd in Oct.
Approved Force (USA) 14-1 (10-12) Jumped right, led, well clear after 2nd, hit 3rd, 6 lengths ahead and ridden when hung badly right on bend approaching 2 out and ran out 2 out in race won by Foreign King (10-12) at Warwick 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gf, 8 ran.
Colditz (IRE) 14-1 (10-12) Led until fell at the 2nd in race won by Mr Crystal (11-5) at Kelso 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gf in Oct, 13 ran.
Hall of Fame 11-1 (10-12) Prominent on outside, lead after 1st, headed after 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 7th of 14, 22l behind Tension Point (11-5) at N Abbot 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (4) gf in Sept.
Tina's Ridge (IRE) 100-1 (11-0) Always behind, 12th of 15, well behind Smugglers Bay (11-0) at Aintree 2m 3yo nov hdl (2) gd in Oct.
Present 6-1 (10-5) Held up in rear, hit 3rd, headway next, went 3rd after 3 out, no impression on front 2, mistake last, 3rd of 12, 8l behind Its Moon (10-10) at Huntingdon 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gf.
Starbougg 9-2 (10-2) Tracked leaders, headway 4 out, went 2nd before next, 4 lengths down when hung left and blundered 2 out, kept on, no chance with winner, 2nd of 9, 5l behind Park's Prodigy (10-12) at Newcastle 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gf.
Beckenham's Secret 25-1 (10-12) Always behind, tailed off, last of 8, well behind Lemon Silk (10-9) at Sandown 2m 3yo nov hdl (3) gd.
