tracked leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, chased winner from 2 out, and one pace
tracked leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, gradually weakened
mid-division, ridden and headway to lead 3 out, hit next, kept on well flat
prominent, ridden after 10th, soon weakened
prominent, ridden and blundered 10th, soon weakened and behind, pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, towards rear halfway, ridden 10th, soon beaten
mid-division, effort halfway, soon beaten
held up, effort halfway, ridden after 10th, no impression
tracked leaders, ridden and every chance 3 out, kept on one pace
led, ridden after 10th, headed 3 out, weakened flat
prominent, ridden and weakened from 10th
towards rear, ridden halfway, chased leaders 10th, gradually weakened from 3 out
mid-division, ridden 3 out, never dangerous
towards rear, never dangerous
The topweight Family Venture looks the safest option in this big-field novices' handicap hurdle. Ferdy Murphy's gelding opened his account at only the fourth time of asking when a nine-length winner of a similar contest off a mark of 85 over course and distance last month and, although narrowly beaten off a 10lb higher mark on a return visit to the course on his next start, the saddle slipped then. Another 3lb rise since is far from harsh and, with trip, course and ground conditions again to suit, the son of Montelimar has more solid claims than any of his rivals. The four-year-old Cheyenne Chief is less exposed than most of these and has claims on his best but disappointed behind Mughas (winner since) at Warwick last time. Little Big Horse is a consistent performer and should be thereabouts again if staying this longer trip, while Howard Johnson's Major Drive is better treated now after a couple of below par outings. There is probably little to chose between Micky Hammond's pair Thistle Do and John The Mole, with slight preference for the former under Tony Dobbin. Mary Reveley's Keep Ikis has shown little sign of encouragement from recent outings and is difficult to fancy and a bigger danger to the selection may come from Tullimoss, provided his confidence has not been effected by a fall last time.