in touch, headway to challenge 3 out, ridden and weakened next
held up mid-division, headway 3 out, led after next, ridden last, kept on until headed and no extra towards finish
raced keenly, tracked leader, led 4th to before 6th, chased leaders until weakened 3 out, tailed off
mid-division on inside, headway 3 out, chased leaders next, ridden and one pace approaching last
mid-division, lost place 7th, soon behind
mid-division on outside, lost place 6th, no danger after
held up in rear, headway 3 out, ridden and chance last, kept on flat
tracked leaders, led 3 out, ridden and headed after next, no extra approaching last
behind, chased leaders after 3 out, soon ridden, no impression
in touch, lost place 7th, behind from next
held up, headway halfway, led to chase leaders 2 out, stayed on well under pressure flat to lead towards finish
led to 4th, tracked leader, led again before 6th, headed 3 out, soon weakened
Gun Smith, Eumene and Medic are three against the field in this competitive handicap hurdle and the narrow vote is given to Gun Smith. The selection was a fair fourth in a maiden hurdle behind El Batal last time out, form that has since been franked and despite top weight and with the ground in his favour he looks the one to be on. Eumene was a fair fifth behind Edes last time out and he looks sure to improve for this longer trip. His yard like a tilt at the ring and he should be watched in the market. Medic was a staying-on fourth behind Lordsbridge last time and is another with place claims but he has had plenty of chances. Crafty Lady is a bumper winner but she has not progressed as expected over hurdles. However this faster ground may suit her and she could go well at a price. Of the remainder, Mini Minster looks well-weighted on his best form and is another that has place claims, but for the winner we return to Gun Smith who is unexposed and will be hard to beat despite top weight.
Gun Smith 9-2 (10-9) Prominent, headway and chased leaders 3 out, no extra flat, 4th of 11, 3l behind El Batal (10-7) at Fontwell 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gf in Nov.
Eumene (IRE) 18-1 (11-1) Held up in touch, ridden after 3 out, slightly outpaced before 2 out where not fluent, kept on flat, 5th of 19, 4 1/2l behind Ede's (9-7) at Warwick 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Feb.
Deputy Mayor (IRE) 12-1 (9-13) In rear, pushed along 6th, ridden 3 out, never dangerous, 13th of 14, well behind Wot Way Chief (10-5) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Nov '06.
Joseph 16-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, close up 3 out, ridden and weakened from next, 8th of 15, well behind Master Builder (11-12) at Kelso 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
Silver Feather (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) In touch, reminders and lost place 6th, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Bold Ransom (10-7) at Newcastle 3m nov hdl (3) sft in Jan, 16 ran.
Moon Melody (GER) 10-1 (9-10) Close up, with winner 3 out, soon ridden and weakened, pulled up before last pulled up at the last in race won by Fresh Winter (11-4) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Feb, 12 ran.
Fast Fred (IRE) 50-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, weakened approaching 3 out, 13th of 14, well behind Spectait (11-0) at Aintree 2m mdn hdl (3) gd in Oct.
Medic (IRE) 33-1 (11-3) Behind, headway 4 out, chased leaders 3 out, kept on same pace, 4th of 19, 8l behind Lordsbridge (10-11) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Feb.
Mini Minster 40-1 (10-5) Mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, kept on same pace, 4th of 16, 14l behind Cadoudalas (10-12) at Newcastle 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Crafty Lady (IRE) 11-1 (10-6) In touch, hit 7th, weakened 3 out, 3rd of 16, 12l behind Harbour Breeze (11-12) at Hereford 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Nov.
Charles Street 8-1 (9-11) Mid-division when fell at the 6th in race won by Kalmo Bay (11-12) at Musselburgh 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Feb, 9 ran.
Gavanello 14-1 (10-5) Chased leaders until weakened after 2 out, 5th of 17, 11l behind Spivitus (10-11) at Catterick 2m sll hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gd in Dec.
Booster Divin (FR) 9-1 (9-11) Always behind, jumped badly right 3rd, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by Ask The Umpire (10-5) at Towcester 2m cnd hcp chs (5) hvy in Jan, 14 ran.
