pressed leader, led 4th to 5th, hit 7th and 9th, led 10th to 13th, ridden approaching 2 out, beaten when hit last
held up in last, reminder after 11th, lost touch 13th, tailed off
held up, 5th when pulled before 14th
held up, not fluent, blundered 8th, pulled up before 12th
prominent, led 5th, headed 10th, not fluent 15th, soon weakened
held up, closed at 11th, ridden when mistake 3 out, beaten when mistake 2 out, hit last
led until 4th, remained prominent, led 13th, in command when hit last, pushed clear
HARRIS BAY may not be the force he once was, but he is probably still capable of landing this stayers' contest for Hen Knight, while Night Safe, You And I, and Foxesbow should go well. The selection races from a mark of 112 today, having previously landed handicap chases over this trip and on decent ground from perches of 126 and 135, so he looks very well handicapped on that form of a couple of seasons ago. He ran with promise first time back at Towcester in October, and with the yard really coming into form it can be his day. Night Safe has gone up 3lbs for making the frame at Chepstow last month, but has never won from this high in the weights and although he acts on good ground he is perhaps at his best with cut. You And I is unexposed on this, his chasing debut, and is sure to have been well prepared. Conditions are to his liking and he is 5lbs higher than when taking a Southwell novices' handicap hurdle when last seen in May, so he would have every chance here with a clear round. Foxesbow is on the same mark as when runner-up at Ffos Las, and with conditions and trip also at their optimum for him he has to be given plenty of respect, but we prefer Harris Bay, who can make good use of his experience.
Night Safe (IRE) 9-2fav (11-4) Soon close up, left 2nd and slightly hampered 9th, led 13th to 5 out, led 4 out, hit 3 out, driven and kept on well flat until headed final strides, 2nd of 12, 1/2l behind Peut Etre Sivola (10-9) at Chepstow 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Oct.
Dusty Dane (IRE) 3-1 (10-13) Disputed 3rd, tracked winner 8th until mistake 14th, outpaced 4 out, stayed on again from 2 out, 3rd of 5, 18l behind Fire And Rain (11-9) at Kempton 3m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Apr.
Harris Bay 9-1 (11-10) Held up, in touch, outpaced after 11th, kept on from 2 out, no impression, 2nd of 9, 6l behind BallyGalley Bob (11-2) at Towcester 2m 6f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Oct.
Aberdeen Park 7-1 (11-7) Held up mid division, weakened after 11th, blundered next, pulled up 3 out, in a race won by BallyGalley Bob (11-2) at Towcester 2m 6f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Oct, 9 ran.
You And I (IRE) 9-1 (11-8) Made all, held on gamely from last, won at Southwell 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in May beating Sundarbob (10-2) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
Foxesbow (IRE) 7-4fav (11-7) Towards rear, headway 7th, chased leaders 4 out, soon led, headed flat, no extra, 2nd of 8, 1 3/4l behind Sydney Sling (10-8) at Ffos Las 2m 5f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd.
Milton Des Bieffes (FR) 9-2 (10-13) Led, headed 5th, chased leader, led flat, headed near finish, 2nd of 11, ns behind Alldunnandusted (10-13) at Plumpton 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gd.
