held up, headway approaching 3 out to chase leaders, ridden next and soon one pace
tracked leaders, smooth headway to lead approaching 3 out, ridden approaching last, driven clear flat
prominent, led 5th, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, 2 lengths down in 2nd and held when fell 2 out
tracked leaders, ridden after 4 out and soon one pace
mid-division, riddenn approaching 3 out, soon beaten
always towards rear
led until headed and stayed prominent 5th, hit 7th, ridden approaching 3 out and gradually weakened from next
held up, ridden 3 out and no impression
Divers is 3lb worse off with the maiden Starbougg who he beat here in December, however the feeling is that GRAND THEATRE's form is as good if not better and he is taken to land this Novices' Hurdle. Cheek-pieces are tried for the first time on Empty Sky but Donald McCain's gelding cannot be ignored despite having a bit to find at the weights as this better ground should see a better run today. However Grand Theatre is nominated with his level of form looking solid. He ran well on heavy ground last time at Ayr when he bumped into the decent Moscow Catch and assuming that he handles this quicker ground then he is unlikely to be far away. Divers is another who carries the penalty and whilst his form looks solid, the feeling was that it was his penalty that stopped him winning last time. Night Force is the third penalised runner in the race and Howard Johnson's gelding is unexposed. He was given plenty to do last time by Denis O'Regan at a track where it pays to race prominently and so he is rated better than the bare form which does need improving on. A closely matched contest then, but Grand Theatre comes out on top.
Divers (FR) 15-8jt-fav (11-10) Towards rear, smooth headway from 7th, ridden approaching 3 out, tracked winner, headway to challenge when blundered next, not pace of winner flat, 2nd of 12, 3l behind Knockara Beau (11-4) at Musselburgh 2m 4f nov hdl (3) gd.
Grand Theatre (IRE) 5-2jt-fav (11-5) Mid-division, hit 7th, weakened after next, 4th of 8, 18l behind Moscow Catch (10-12) at Ayr 2m 4f nov hdl (4) hvy in Dec.
Night Force 3-1 (11-5) Towards rear, ridden and chased leaders 3 out, kept on from next to go 2nd last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 10, 12l behind Luna Landing (10-12) at Musselburgh 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gf in Dec.
Empty Sky 11-2 (11-3) Led until 5th, chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, weakened approaching last, 3rd of 21, 26l behind Edgbriar (11-13) at Doncaster 2m 3f nh nov hdl (3) sft in Jan.
Tantobie (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) Mid-division, outpaced 4 out, no danger after, 8th of 14, well behind What A Buzz (11-5) at Newcastle 2m 4f nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
Kopylova 33-1 (10-3) Always towards rear, ridden from 4 out and soon beaten, 7th of 10, well behind Pelican Point (10-5) at Sedgefield 2m 4f mrs nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Starbougg 13-2 (10-4) Tracked leader, ridden 3 out, chased winner from next, kept on one pace, 2nd of 13, 4l behind Divers (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gd in Dec.
Vallani (IRE) 150-1 (10-2) Always towards rear, lost touch from 8th, 9th of 14, 36l behind Don't Stop Me Now (10-3) at Musselburgh 2m 4f mrs nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
