mid-division, outpaced 4 out, ridden next, never able to challenge
mid-division when blundered badly and unseated rider soon after 2nd
in touch, outpaced 4 out, ridden next, kept on under pressure and every chance last, chased winner flat
held up, always behind
mid-division, headway 4 out, ridden to chase leaders next, one pace 2 out
mid-division, outpaced 3 out, never on terms
held up, hit 4 out, headway next, ridden, kept on approaching last, no extra flat
led to after 1st, in touch, led again after 4 out, ridden and headed when not fluent next, kept on same pace
led after 1st, headed after 4 out, soon weakened
tracked leader, lost place before 3 out, no impression from next
alway prominent, challenged 3 out, led next, ridden, blundered last soon headed, no extra flat
always behind
mid-division, outpaced 3 out, ridden, headway next, stayed on to lead after last, ran on
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
A competitive heat where a back-to-form Mesbaah would make them all go, but preference is just for ABSTINENCE ahead of Lord Ragnar. The selection has his first start at this track, but has won twice around Wetherby so far, suggesting he is a useful sort. Certainly, his 10-length win over Sir Tantallus Hawk at the Christmas meeting caught the eye and he goes on a sound surface. It looks like there is more to come and he gets the vote. Mesbaah won a handicap hurdle here from a mark of 112 in November and acts on any ground with good in the description. However, for some reason he has put in two abysmal runs on his last two starts and so is a risky proposition at the moment. Lord Ragnar also looks a leading player. The seven-year-old gelding mastered a big field at Cheltenham earlier in the season, also in a handicap from that same mark of 112. He was beaten back in novices' company under a penalty last time out, but he is still much respected. Hazeldene was the eyecatching winner of a Perth maiden hurdle in April but has found it tough either side of that in handicap company and can be taken on again today. Zafranagar has the ability to get involved but would want rain to improve his chance and Abstinence gets the vote.
Lord Ragnar (IRE) 7-4fav (11-0) Chased leaders, chased winner from 3 out, one pace from last, 4th of 14, 9l behind Bostons Angel (11-13) at Doncaster 2m 3f NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (3) gs in Jan.
Mesbaah (IRE) 9-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, chased leaders 4 out, weakened from next, 9th of 13, 33l behind First Stream (11-6) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Dec.
Quick Will (FR) 11-2 (11-7) Mid-division, headway on outside 4 out, effort next, soon ridden and weakened, 7th of 11, 37l behind Still At Lunch (11-8) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Nov.
Abstinence (IRE) 6-4fav (10-12) Made all, jumped right 2 out, easily, won at Wetherby 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec '08 beating Sir Tantallus Hawk (10-12) by 10l, 11 ran.
Zafranagar (IRE) 7-2 (11-6) Held up in touch, driven to challenge 2 out, hit last, kept on same pace, 5th of 8, 5l behind L'homme De Nuit (11-1) at Sandown 2m nov hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Dec.
Well Disguised (IRE) 12-1 (10-11) Held up in rear, headway approaching 2 out, weakened flat, 4th of 8, 12l behind Percussionist (11-12) at Kelso 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) hvy in Nov.
Casual Affair 13-2 (11-11) Held up mid-division, weakened approaching 2 out, 8th of 12, 28l behind A Little Different (10-13) at Perth 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in Sep.
Stopped Out 12-1 (10-5) Mid-division on outside, headway and effort after 3 out, not fluent next, kept on same pace approaching last, no impression, 5th of 13, 13l behind Sendali (10-0) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft in Jan.
Hazeldene 10-3fav (11-12) Soon tracking leader and keen, led 4th, headed after 3 out, one pace when mistake 2 out, 3rd of 10, 8l behind Newgate (10-9) at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in May.
Ladies Best 11-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, ridden to challenge 2 out, soon one pace, 4th of 12, 13l behind Inventor (11-11) at Musselburgh 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Harry The Hawk 11-2fav (11-3) Held up, effort 3 out, stayed on from last, no extra towards finish, 5th of 17, 2l behind Viscount Rossini (10-10) at Newcastle 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Mar.
Planetarium 28-1 (10-2) Close up, weakened after 3 out, 8th of 13, 27l behind First Stream (11-6) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Dec.
Leith Walk (IRE) 12-1 (10-5) Keen early, held up, behind 8th, progress but no on terms when went 4th 3 out, left moderate 3rd 2 out, 3rd of 8, 18l behind Baikaline (9-4) at Aintree 2m 4f cond hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Jun.
Luna Landing 12-1 (11-7) Prominent, reminders after 6th, weakened from 8th, 8th of 11, well behind Little Shilling (11-9) at Bangor 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Sep.
Lazy Darren 20-1 (11-7) Held up, weakened 3 out, 11th of 12, 36l behind Balzaccio (11-8) at Huntingdon 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Dec.
