tracked leaders in 3rd, went 2nd after 3rd, hit 2 out, soon led, hit last, stayed on well
reluctantly led and keen, hit 3rd, ridden approaching and pecked badly 2 out, soon headed, weakened last
tracked leader, lost place approaching 4th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
held up towards rear and keen, not fluent 3rd, went 3rd approaching 4th, hit 2 out, chased winner approaching and mistake last, no impression
Andhaar is respected in the opener following a good performance at Wetherby where he lowered the colours of a well regarded odds-on shot. There appeared to be no fluke about that victory with 11 lengths back to the third and Steve Gollings believes that there's more to come. BOW BADGER is his principal rival and is fancied to gain the upper hand as this useful bumper performer ran out a most impressive winner on his hurdling bow at Carlisle where he had the field strung out a long way behind. Taketimeout and In The Sand may need more time and Fairynuff appeals as a bigger threat if allowed to take his chance having made his hurdling bow at Newcastle on Friday.
Andhaar 11-1 (11-0) In touch in mid-division, closed after 6th, went 2nd approaching 2 out, challenged last, soon led, stayed on well, won at Wetherby 2m nh nov hdl (3) gd in Oct beating Karasenir (11-8) by 1 3/4l, 18 ran.
Bow Badger 3-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders and keen, led from 4th, clear after 4 out, easily, won at Carlisle 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Oct beating Chapolimoss (10-12) by 10l, 11 ran.
In The Sand (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Always towards rear, tailed off 4 out, 13th of 15, well behind Arthurian Legend (11-0) at Chepstow 2m mdn hdl (5) gs.
Meridiem 66-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, headway on inside 3f out, ridden over 1f out, chased winner inside final furlong, stayed on, no impression, 2nd of 12, 2 3/4l behind Ben Cee Pee M (11-2) at Towcester 2m mdn NH flat (5) gf in May.
Taketimeout (IRE) 9-2 (11-0) In touch in mid-division, headway 5th, not fluent 3 out, lost place 2 out, not given a hard time after, 5th of 12, 23l behind Muldoon's Picnic (10-11) at Huntingdon 2m NH mdn hdl (5) gd in Oct.
Short Supply (USA) 20-1 (9-2) Chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened entering final 2f, 9th of 17, 18l behind Gaselee (9-12) at Nottingham 2m hcp 0-65 (6) sft in Oct (flat).
Fairynuff 9-4fav (11-11) Badly hampered and unseated rider start, in a race won by Skipper Robin (10-6) at Perth 2m NH flat (5) sft in Apr, 8 ran.