in touch towards rear, good headway when blundered 2 out, kept on same pace
keen led, ridden and headed 3 out, weakened next
prominent, led 3 out, ridden clear approaching last, eased towards finish
tracked leader until pushed along 9th, lost place after 4 out, close up, ridden 3 out, weakened last
in touch, pushed along and headway to chase winner 3 out, ridden next, one pace and lost 2nd close home
not fluent at times, close up, lost place 9th, soon switched to outer, headway to press leaders bend approaching 3 out, blundered badly 2 out, soon beaten
close up, ridden 3 out, weakened next
raced wide close up, headway 3 out, ridden next, stayed on to go 2nd towards finish
held up in rear, blundered 8th, ridden 3 out, some late headway, not trouble leaders
Traditional Dancer reverts to hurdling having placed over fences at Aintree and could go well while Sword Of Fate can race off a lower mark back over hurdles having won three times over fences earlier in the year. Island Heights scored over track and trip last month and is upped a grade for this while Arthurs Secret and Craig Star where both placed on their latest starts with the latter preferred. Court Liability landed a couple of novice hurdles last year but hasn't raced since and another lightly-raced type in MONTANNA (NAP) makes more appeal. The latter also recorded a double in novice company during the summer and with a recent outing under his belt is fancied to go close now handicapping for the first time.
Traditional Dancer (IRE) 40-1 (10-10) Held up in rear, headway after 4 out, close up next, went 2nd before last, driven and kept on flat, not reach winner, 2nd of 10, 2l behind Molly The Dolly (11-0) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Sword Of Fate (IRE) 6-4fav (11-8) Led, driven and headed before 2 out, weakened between last 2, last of 4, 32 1/2l behind The Unit (11-4) at Newton Abbot 2m 5f (3) gf in Aug.
Court Liability (IRE) 8-11fav (11-4) Tracked leaders, driven to chase leader before 2 out, 2 lengths down last, ridden to lead flat, stayed on well, won at Hereford 2m 4f (4) gf in Nov beating Stage Summit (10-12) by 2l, 12 ran.
Fly Vinnie (IRE) 20-1 (11-7) Tended to jump right, led, headed after 3 out, weakened from next, tailed off, 5th of 7, dist behind Jack Devine (11-12) at Kelso 3m 2f hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Island Heights (IRE) 7-2 (11-12) With leader, led 6th, headed 8th, led after 4 out, headed 2 out, ridden before last, regain lead run-in, kept on, won at Musselburgh 3m hcp (4) gf in Nov beating Tokaramore (10-13) by 2 1/4l, 6 ran.
Montanna 6-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, led before 3rd until before next, chased winner until soon after 4 out, ridden and weakened before next, 5th of 7, 20 3/4l behind Al Dancer (11-4) at Ffos Las 2m (4) sft in Nov.
Blunder Buss (IRE) 15-2 (10-0) In touch, mistake 4th, chased leaders 3 out, effort next, weakened before last, 5th of 9, 10 1/4l behind Aspen Colorado (10-5) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp (2) gd in Nov.
Arthurs Secret 16-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders, hit 4 out, challenged next, not fluent 2 out, soon ridden and rider dropped whip, stayed on to lead briefly flat, just held, 2nd of 11, nk behind Road To Gold (11-10) at Ayr 2m 5f hcp (4) hvy in Nov.
Craig Star (IRE) 11-4jfav (10-10) Held up behind, driven to chase leaders before 2 out, ridden between last 2, stayed on to take narrow 2nd flat, no impression with winner, 2nd of 7, 2 1/4l behind Jack Devine (11-12) at Kelso 3m 2f hcp (3) gd in Nov.
