always behind and mistakes, struggling from 5th
tracked leaders, lost place approaching 6th
towards rear, good headway approaching 6th, led 7th, headed after last, one pace
in touch, one pace from 3 out
led to 7th, hit next, soon ridden and weakened
held up in touch, pushed along 5th, soon lost place, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
tracked leaders, challenged when pecked 2 out, led after last, kept on well
in touch, mistake 6th, quickly weakened at 3 out
held up, outpaced 6th, headway to take moderate 3rd 2 out, no impression
tracked leader, weakened 3 out
behind and struggling from 5th, tailed off
Fixateur, Woodford Consult and Shady Merlin are three against the field in another tough race to call for punters and the narrow nomination is given to Fixateur. The selection ran well on his first run of the season behind Lescard De Ferbet, that form has since been franked and although he has since disappointed, he returns to hurdles off what looks a fair mark and with the useful Myles Seston taking off a handy few pounds he looks a value bet in an open affair. Woodford Consult rates the main danger as he was a fair fourth when last seen behind Pataxaran. He is fit from the flat and as his yard are in such good form he should be noted in the market. Shady Merlin is another that could go well on his latest second behind Kercabellec. He is sure to run his race but he is creeping up the weights without winning and is taken on with this in mind. Double Ells will appreciate the return to this shorter trip and is another with place claims while Presenting Alf looks on a handy mark and could go well at a price with his yard in top form but in a race where the market will be very informative for the winner we return to Fixateur to small stakes.
Woodford Consult 9-2 (11-0) In rear, ridden to chase leaders approaching 3 out, weakened from 2 out, 4th of 6, 21l behind Patxaran (11-5) at Ayr 2m nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Mar.
Fixateur 8-1 (10-8) Chased leaders, ridden after 4 out, soon weakened, 8th of 13, 15l behind Kercabellec (11-0) at Market Rasen 2m 4f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd.
Keen Warrior 10-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, ridden 4 out, weakened next, 8th of 10, well behind Oniz Tiptoes (11-2) at Fakenham 2m nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd.
Double Ells 4-1jt-fav (10-1) Held up in touch, weakened after 4 out, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Rothbury (11-10) at Wetherby 2m 7f cnd nov hcp hdl (4) sft in Oct, 12 ran.
Runaway Bishop (USA) 16-1 (11-5) Always in rear, 5th of 13, 35l behind Apple Joe (9-11) at Towcester 3m hcp chs 0-100 (4) sft.
Presenting Alf (IRE) 4-1jt-fav (9-10) Chased leader, ridden and weakened approaching 4 out, 5th of 12, well behind Rothbury (11-10) at Wetherby 2m 7f cnd nov hcp hdl (4) sft in Oct.
Shady Merlin (IRE) 22-1 (10-7) Held up and keen, headway 4 out, led approaching next, headed flat, kept on, 2nd of 13, 3/4l behind Kercabellec (11-0) at Market Rasen 2m 4f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd.
Formal Cliche 14-1 (10-1) Behind when unseated rider at the 8th in race won by Negus de Beaumont (11-10) at Newcastle 3m hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gd, 19 ran.
