chased leaders, hit 4th, challenged and every chance 2 out, weakened soon after last
chased leader, led 3 out, narrowly headed 2 out, weakened soon after last
led, hit 4th and next, headed and weakened 3 out, tailed off
pulled hard, held up in touch, headway and every chance 2 out, weakened quickly approaching last
chased leaders, challenged 2 out, soon slight lead, headed last, no extra flat
held up in last pair, travelling well behind leaders appproaching 2 out, ridden and hung left soon after, went 2nd flat, no impression on winner
held up in last pair, driven after 3 out, soon beaten and hit next, tailed off, broke blood vessel
held up in touch, driven and quickened to challenge last, soon led and stayed on well
Procas de Thaix has been well held in both starts this term but Nicky Henderson's gelding may appreciate the drop back in trip today so has to be considered in this small but competitive contest but a better bet looks to be MUTUAL FRIEND, who gets the verdict ahead of Norman The Great. Alan King's gelding was good value for his novice hurdle success at Leicester before making another decent effort in defeat in the same grade here when last seen in November. He looks well treated for his handicap debut and has to be strongly considered. Alison Thorpe's Dishdasha has been in good form on the flat of late but needs to step up on previous hurdles form to trouble the selection. With Gary Moore's stable in such good form, his runner Wingman cannot be dismissed but he will need to go better here than at Ascot earlier this month to get involved at the business end of a race taken to go to Mutual Friend. David Pipe's gelding, a good winner at Worcester in the summer, has ground conditions to suit again, lost no caste in defeat behind Leamington Lad at Cheltenham when last seen in October and he can resume winning ways today.
Procas de Thaix (FR) 11-1 (10-8) Tracked leaders, chasing winner when hit 8th, weakened 2 out, 10th of 18, 25l behind Lough Derg (11-10) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp hdl Grd 2 (1) gs in Jan.
Wingman (IRE) 14-1 (10-0) Chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, weakened before next, 8th of 14, 19l behind Serabad (10-10) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp hdl (2) hvy.
Amour Multiple (IRE) 25-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, weakened after next, 13th of 14, well behind Earth Planet (10-9) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp hdl (2) gs in Apr.
Dishdasha (IRE) 25-1 (11-7) Towards rear, hit 4th, headway 2 out, ridden and one pace approaching last, 6th of 17, 9l behind Culcabock (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Dec.
Norman The Great 16-1 (11-5) In touch, headway to chase leaders 3 out, driven and no impression 2 out, went moderate 3rd at last, 3rd of 12, 18l behind Cockney Trucker (11-0) at Newbury 2m nov hdl (3) gs in Nov.
Mutual Friend (USA) 20-1 (10-13) Held up towards rear, steady headway on outside approaching 3 out, went close 4th before last, one pace flat, 4th of 16, 4 1/2l behind Leamington Lad (11-1) at Cheltenham 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Oct.
Good Spirit (FR) 12-1 (11-10) Held up, headway after 5th, weakened 3 out, 10th of 12, 33l behind Red Admiral (11-8) at Ludlow 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Jan.
Secret Tune 33-1 (10-1) Chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, weakened after next, 9th of 15, well behind Presenting Copper (10-8) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl (2) hvy in Jan.
