led after first, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, plugged on
keen tracked leaders, ridden to chase winner 2 out, kept on one pace
close up, ridden soon after 3 out, weakened and hit 2 out
keen early, led first, tracked leader, led approaching 2 out, not fluent last, shaken up and ran on
held up, outpaced 6th, some headway 2 out, never on terms
always in rear, hit 2 out
always in rear, outpaced 6th
raced wide in touch, hit 3rd, outpaced 6th
DONT TAKE ME ALIVE didn't get that far before falling at Wetherby last time. His earlier third at the same track is the best form on offer here, however, and Charlie Longsdon's charge gets the nod. Blue Top wasn't disgraced on his hurdling bow when five lengths behind the selection but Feeling Good and Kashmir Peak are rated much higher on the Flat and both are worth a second glance making their hurdling debuts today. The remainder are harder to fancy on what little they've shown so far.
Blue Top 33-1 (10-9) Pressed leader, every chance on outside after 4 out, lost place next, kept on same pace, no impression from 2 out, 5th of 13, 7l behind Asteroid Belt (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 3yo mdn hdl (5) gs in Oct.
Dont Take Me Alive 12-1 (10-12) Took keen hold tracking leading pair, fell 5th, in a race won by Sametegal (11-6) at Wetherby 2m Listed hdl 3yo (1) gs, 6 ran.
Feeling Good 18-1 (8-8) Mid-division, pushed along and headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 5th of 14, 3 1/2l behind Dark Ruler (9-2) at Musselburgh 1m 1f hcp 0-70 (5) gs in Sep (flat).
Kashmir Peak (IRE) 8-1 (8-13) Mid-division, ridden into 5th 2f out, 3rd 1f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 13, 5l behind Along Came Casey (9-8) at Gowran Park 1m 1f hcp gs in Sep (flat).
Kian's Joy 66-1 (10-12) Tracked winner until 3 out, soon weakened, last of 5, 34l behind Right To Rule (10-12) at Haydock 2m 3yo hdl (4) gs in Oct.
Last Zak 66-1 (10-7) Mid-division, outpaced 4 out, weakened next, 10th of 13, 22l behind Asteroid Belt (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 3yo mdn hdl (5) gs in Oct.
Latenfast 25-1 (8-0) Slowly into stride, took keen hold in touch, weakened over 2f out, 6th of 9, 11l behind Daddy Warbucks (8-7) at Redcar 7f 2yo clm (6) sft in Oct '11 (flat).
Rhyme Royal 10-1 (8-9) Tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, lost place inside final 2f, weakened final furlong, 9th of 11, 10l behind Saucy Cat (9-4) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Mar (flat).
