held up, reminders after 6th, driven next, weakened 3 out, pulled up soon after 2 out
keen, tracked leading pair, ridden before 3 out, hampered 2 out, soon one pace
not fluent close up, improved and going well to chase leader before 3 out, jumped right, broke down before 2 out, pulled up soon after
made all, blundered 4 out, ridden next, hit last, kept on under strong pressure
with winner until before 3 out, ridden and weakened before 2 out
held up and keen, behind 4 out, pulled up 2 out
mid-division, improved after 4 out, ridden soon after 3 out, chased winner approaching last, stayed on towards finish
held up in rear, headway when hampered 2 out, ridden and hit last, kept on one pace
Only eight go to post but five of those hold realistic claims in an interesting contest. Crofters Lad is marginally preferred to Bold Policy and Edgeover. Just A Thought is likely to find at least one too good again whilst promising bumper performer Clishmaclaiver's lack of hurdling experience is a concern. Edgeover should improve for this longer trip and is progressing along the right lines but could struggle to concede a penalty to some useful sorts. He beat Cruchain by 2 lengths at Ludlow and the runner-up had previously finished 3 lengths in front of Bold Policy at Kempton. The Nicholls horse is sure to improve for experience and this longer trip though. However, preference is for Crofters Lad who belied his starting price to run the potentially smart The Polomoche to a head at Huntingdon; that was no fluke as he'd shown great promise on debut in 2006. His yard are in fine form at present and, providing he sees out this trip, Crofters Lad looks sure to go close.
Edgeover 4-6fav (11-5) In touch, headway after 6th, ridden 3 out, led 2 out, edged left, driven out, won at Ludlow 2m nh mdn hdl (4) gs beating Cruchain (11-5) by 2l, 13 ran.
Bold Policy (IRE) 7-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, not fluent 5th, jumped right 2 out, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 7, 6l behind Procas de Thaix (10-12) at Kempton 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Clishmaclaiver 5-1 (10-7) Always prominent, led over 6f out, headed over 2f out, soon ridden, switched left 1f out, not quicken, 2nd of 15, 2l behind Dragon Eye (10-11) at Warwick 2m nhf (6) sft in Dec.
Crofters Lad (IRE) 80-1 (11-5) Tracked leader, not fluent 3 out, soon ridden, edged right approaching 2 out, led flat, headed close home, 2nd of 17, hd behind The Polomoche (11-5) at Huntingdon 2m nh nov hdl (4) hvy.
Just A Thought (IRE) 50-1 (11-6) Chased winner until approaching 7th, weakened next, 4th of 5, 47l behind Carruthers (11-10) at Warwick 2m 5f nov hdl Grd 2 (1) hvy.
No Telling (IRE) 25-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened, 7th of 10, well behind Border Fox (10-9) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
O'Sogood (IRE) 40-1 (11-5) Held up, never on terms, 9th of 17, 43l behind Numide (11-5) at Leicester 2m nov hdl (4) sft.
Shampers 100-1 (10-12) Always behind, 14th of 17, 35l behind The Polomoche (11-5) at Huntingdon 2m nh nov hdl (4) hvy.
