held up in rear, never dangerous
held up in touch, weakened before 3 out, tailed off
disputed lead and soon well clear, headed approaching 3 out, soon faded
always behind, tailed off
disputed lead and soon well clear, weakened before 3 out
held up in rear, headway after 5th, weakened before 3 out
tracked clear leaders, led approaching 3 out, drew clear on bit approaching last, comfortably
held up in rear, headway halfway, chased leaders approaching 3rd last, kept on same pace after next
held up in touch, headway after 5th, chased winner 3 out, weakened approaching last
held up in rear, headway 4 out, soon ridden and no impression
held up towards rear, some headway after 2nd last, never nearer
OSCAR WHISKY will be expected to make a winning debut over hurdles but is likely to be a prohibitive price. Tzora and King Olav are two of the more obvious dangers. High hopes are held for Nicky Henderson's runner who has won on both visits to this track in the style of a good one. He has hurdles to cope with and they may prove to be more problematical than the opposition which, in the main, doesn't appear to be anything out of the ordinary. Tzora is one that may be able to make the favourite work for his money as he showed a decent level of form in bumpers before failing to give his running in a Grade 2 at Aintree. King Olav was an 80 rated handicapper who made a smooth transition to hurdling when chasing home Inventor at Ascot with Manyriverstocross and Vino Griego behind. That pair have run well since as has the sixth whilst the fifth home ran out a ready winner so the form of the race is stacking up well and he shouldn't be underestimated. Spirit Of Adjisa also signed off on the level with a mark in the eighties so is considered on debut for a powerful yard but few of the remainder have anything significant to commend them and Oscar Whisky is the call.
Blazing Tommy 66-1 (10-12) Mid-division, mistake 2nd and 4th, lost touch 7th, 13th of 15, well behind Finney (10-12) at Hereford 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Dec '08.
Cedar Falls (USA) 100-1 (11-0) Always towards rear, tailed off, 11th of 13, well behind Bellvano (11-0) at Newbury 2m NH mdn hdl (3) gs in Nov.
Filun 10-1 (9-7) Mid-division, headway over 4f out, hung left and weakened over 3f out, tailed off, 13th of 14, 49l behind Annambo (9-6) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Sep (flat).
Gamedor (FR) 9-1 (9-5) Held up towards rear, hard driven 5f out, never on terms, 7th of 11, 22l behind Bell Island (9-5) at Lingfield 1m 5f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Oct (flat).
Lucky Parker (IRE) 150-1 (10-12) Made most until after 5th, weakened approaching 3 out, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Dr Livingstone (10-12) at Leicester 2m nh nov hdl (3) gf, 15 ran.
Magistrate (IRE) 9-1 (10-11) Chased leaders, weakened 3f out, 5th of 11, 30l behind The Jigsaw Man (11-2) at Stratford 2m NH flat (5) gf in Sep.
Midnight Spirit 22-1 (9-7) Led, ridden approaching 2 out, headed before last, no extra flat, lost 2nd close home, 3rd of 15, 5l behind Victory Surge (11-2) at Warwick 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft.
Nono Le Sage (FR) 14-1 (10-11) Held up, weakened 3 out, 8th of 12, well behind Ocean Transit (10-7) at Taunton 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Oscar Whisky (IRE) 8-15fav (11-7) Chased leaders, led over 3f out, in command over 1f out, kept on well, won at Newbury 2m NH flat (5) sft in Nov beating Midnight Prayer (11-0) by 4l, 11 ran.
Spirit of Adjisa (IRE) 12-1 (9-9) Keen, close up, ridden and slightly outpaced over 3f out, driven and kept on final furlong, 6th of 15, 8l behind Aaim To Prosper (9-8) at Newmarket 2m hcp 0-90 (3) gd in Oct (flat).
Tzora 50-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, chased leaders over 5f out, weakened over 3f out, tailed off, 18th of 19, well behind Sitting Tennant (11-4) at Aintree 2m 1f nat hunt flat Grade 2 (1) gs in Apr.
Behest 150-1 (10-7) Always in rear, ridden and struggling after 5th, tailed off, 11th of 14, well behind Alasi (10-10) at Lingfield 2m mrs nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Sawpit Supreme 125-1 (11-0) In rear, headway 7th, weakened after next, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Dancingwithbubbles (11-0) at Ludlow 2m 5f mdn hdl (4) sft in Jan, 14 ran.
She Is A Cracker (FR) 3-1 (11-9) Held up, headway to lead after 3 out, headed last, one pace, 2nd of 5, 2 1/2l behind Kilshannig (11-12) at Southwell 2m 4f 4yo hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gd.
King Olav (UAE) 20-1 (11-0) Keen, led, headed 3 out, ridden to lead again bend approaching 2 out, driven and edged left flat, headed towards finish, 2nd of 10, 1 1/4l behind Inventor (10-9) at Ascot 2m hdl (3) gd in Nov.
Quipe Me Posted (FR) 33-1 (10-12) Behind, under pressure before 3 out, soon beaten, 7th of 8, 48l behind Candy Creek (10-5) at Kempton 2m NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) gs in Nov.
Rock 'n' Roller (FR) 33-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, fell 3 out, in a race won by Mr Plod (10-7) at Kempton 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Nov, 17 ran.
