disputed, led 8th, blundered and headed 4 out, not recover
tracked leaders, ridden to chase winner after 4 out, kept on same pace, lost 2nd flat
disputed until 8th, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out
chased leaders, ridden after 4 out, one-paced
never going in rear, pulled up before 4 out
held up, steady headway from 7th, led after 4 out, soon clear, easily
held up, mistake 8th, hit 11th, ridden approaching 3 out, stayed on well, no chance with winner
held up, headway after 11th, chased leaders 4 out, soon ridden, weakened
chased leaders until 7th, mistake 12th, soon behind
Another decent handicap chase but the way that he won at Stratford in June suggests that Hours may prove to be well in at the weights. Martin Pipe's gelding was progressive in hunter chases last season before winning on his handicap debut at Stratford off a mark of 114. A 9lb rise since then is far from harsh and, provided that there is no overnight rain, he should make a bold bid under Tony McCoy and gets the TEAMtalk vote. Old campaigner Hurricane Lamp deserved his win at Kempton Park last week but should find this tougher off a 4lb higher mark. A bigger danger to the selection could be Simon Sherwood's Il'Athou who found only Red Blazer a short head too good at Huntingdon recently. Ferdy Murphy's Streamstown, ninth in the Grand National when last seen, and Irish raider Brigade Charge are entitled to need the run after long absences. Paul Nicholls saddles two but neither Extra Jack, the mount of Paul Carberry, nor Ruby Walsh's mount Exit To Wave look good enough on the form shown this term. Master Tern does not look a natural over fences while Coguenard may have had his confidence knocked at Aintree last time.
