prominent, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened approaching next
chased leaders, blundered 4th, close 3rd when fell 2 out
led, headed 3 out, weakened next
always behind
mid-division, headway 5th, ridden, weakened approaching 3 out, behind when badly hampered 2 out
held up towards rear, headway to chase leaders after 4 out, weakened approaching 2 out
in touch, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, one pace and no impression when slightly hampered 2 out
held up, smooth headway approaching 4 out, tracked leaders 3 out, ridden after last, ran on towards finish, not reach winner
held up towards rear, weakened approaching 5th
mid-division, ridden 4 out, no impression from next
held up, some headway 3 out, no impression
held up, ridden, some headway from 4 out, no impression
chased leaders, weakened 4 out, pulled up before 3 out
chased leaders, led 3 out, ridden approaching last, kept on flat, just held on
Despite running well below expectations at Sandown last month, Lennon is still at an early stage of his development and is given another chance to prove himself. Saif Sareea and Don't Call Me Derek are expected to pose the biggest problems along the way, although it would be foolhardy to rule out a bold bid from Rising Generation in spite of him facing a stiff test at the weights. Nicky Richards has his string in very good order and his admirable veteran will make sure the rest know they have been in a race. Don't Call Me Derek came good at this time last year and is another capable of making the running. However, he dropped out very tamely on his reappearance in December and his well being has to be taken on trust. Saif Sareea had Milagros well behind when they met here in the Scottish County Hurdle just before Christmas and is readily expected to confirm his superiority. He should appreciate the underfoot conditions and is rated as the biggest threat to the selection. However, Lennon will also be suited by today's conditions and, with the form of his last race working out well, the Howard Johnson-trained gelding is given the benefit of the doubt and is expected to erase the memory of his puzzling effort in the Tolworth Hurled last time.
Rising Generation (FR) 66-1 (10-9) Always prominent, effort 3 out, ridden to chase winner next, kept on same pace, 3rd of 17, 8l behind Crow Wood (11-4) at Musselburgh 2m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gf.
Dont Call Me Derek 3-1jt-fav (10-8) Led, headed 4 out, weakened from next, 11th of 12, well behind Desert Quest (10-3) at Doncaster 2m hcp hdl 0-140 (B) gs in Dec.
Lennon (IRE) 15-8 (11-7) Tracked leading pair until ridden and weakened 2 out, 4th of 5, 28l behind Noland (11-7) at Sandown 2m hdl Grd 1 (1) sft in Jan.
Saif Sareea 15-2 (10-4) Mid-division, hit 4 out, headway next, ridden and stayed on to go 2nd last, no impression on winner, 2nd of 17, 7l behind Crow Wood (11-4) at Musselburgh 2m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gf.
Bodfari Signet 66-1 (10-0) Chased leaders to 5th, soon lost place, 15th of 17, 33l behind Crow Wood (11-4) at Musselburgh 2m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gf.
Tiger King (GER) 14-1 (11-3) Held up mid-division, weakened approaching 4 out, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out pulled up 3 out in race won by Birdwatch (11-0) at Ayr 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft, 13 ran.
Border Tale 100-1 (9-9) Behind until stayed on 3 out, never nearer, 7th of 17, 13l behind Crow Wood (11-4) at Musselburgh 2m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gf.
Ballyhurry (USA) 20-1 (11-5) Held up, headway 6th, ridden after 3 out, kept on well, 3rd of 13, 7l behind Estepona (11-5) at Musselburgh 2m nov hdl (4) gf in Jan.
