tracked leaders, challenged 3 out, soon driven and outpaced, no impression from next
led, hit 7th, driven and headed after 3 out, weakened from next
blundered and unseated rider 1st
with leader, led after 3 out, headed next, soon ridden, 3 lengths down and no extra last, held on for 2nd flat
held up, ridden and headway approaching 2 out, soon outpaced, 4th and no impression when hit last, stayed on to go 3rd flat
tracked leaders, challenged 3 out, led next, 3 lengths clear last, stayed on well flat
close up on outside, lost place 5th, struggling next, behind when pulled up before 2 out
In what looks like a cracking handicap hurdle SPHINX looks the call after a good display on the level last time and we'll side with the gelding at the expense of Sir Boreas Hawk and John Forbes. As well as scoring well on his last flat start the pick was also in front the last time he took on hurdles. He looks fairly treated on the pick of his Novice form and he is best in testing conditions. Sir Boreas Hawk returned from nearly two years out with a solid run last time. He's bound to have benefitted for the outing and if returning to his old form he should go close under this rating. John Forbes has been on some good form on the level recently and off a mark just three pounds heavier than when last scoring over timber he looks a danger. Spear Thistle went well in heavy conditions again on the level at Nottingham on his last start but could be a little high in the weights now back over obstacles so in a small field Sphinx looks the form pick.
Auroras Encore (IRE) 9-1 (11-4) Held up in touch, under pressure 4 out, soon weakened, behind when refused last, in a race won by Knockara Beau (10-8) at Carlisle 2m 4f chs (2) sft, 7 ran.
Honest John 16-1 (10-13) Hit 1st, in touch, lost place after 4 out, weakened next, 13th of 16, well behind Elzahann (10-5) at Haydock 3m hcp hdl (2) gd in May.
John Forbes 20-1 (10-13) Mid-division, hit 4th, driven, weakened after 3 out, 16th of 17, 43l behind Mous Of Men (10-12) at Sandown 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gd in Apr '08.
Spear Thistle 33-1 (10-9) Always behind, 18th of 19, well behind Dave's Dream (10-13) at Sandown 2m lst hcp hdl (0-150) (1) gd in Mar.
Sphinx (FR) 13-8fav (11-3) Mid-division, tracked leaders 4 out, headway to lead after last, soon driven out flat, won at Kelso 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Mar beating Classic Cut (11-3) by 6l, 11 ran.
Overstrand (IRE) 14-1 (10-10) In rear, pushed along 5th, weakened after 8th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by English City (10-3) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gd in Jul, 10 ran.
Edmo Yewkay (IRE) 11-1 (11-10) Mid-division, weakened 4 out, 6th of 9, well behind Dinarius (11-4) at Carlisle 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft.
Sir Boreas Hawk 12-1 (11-3) Held up towards rear, mid-division halfway, ridden after 2 out, weakened flat, 7th of 13, 8l behind Nampour (10-12) at Aintree 2m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gd in Oct.
