mid-division, headway 3 out, ridden and outpaced from next
made all, ridden and under pressure from 2 out, hit last, driven out
refused to race
held up towards rear, struggling after 4th
chased winner to 4 out, weakened after next
always towards rear
chased leaders, ridden 3 out, outpaced next
mid-division, struggling from 5 out
in touch, chased winner from 4 out, ridden next, every chance when not fluent last, kept on, held towards finish
held up, headway 4th, ridden and every chance after 2 out until no extra flat
held up, effort after 4 out, never dangerous
mid-division, headway approaching 4 out, one pace from next
mid-division, lost place from 4th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
Nonrunner
An interesting Novices' hurdle in which narrow preference is for Watch My Back ahead of stablemate Run To Space and Regent's Secret. The selection, a son of successful sire Bob Back, has shown plenty of ability in two starts to date. Having won his bumper at Kelso, he then ran well in defeat at the same track recently in October. That form behind Jass has been franked since by the fourth and sixth winning since and with more improvement to come now race-fit, he looks worth a hefty bet. Stablemate Run To Space has been mopping up in point-to-point races and should be respected, although further will no doubt suit in time. My Arch cannot be ruled out returning from a break, whilst Andijan has hit a rich vein of form of late and cannot be discounted despite his big weight. Regent's Secret went close last time out at the track and should go well once again, whilst Sea Storm is consistent and cannot be overlooked given the promise that he has shown over hurdles. An open race, however Watch My Back looks the best starting point in this opener.
Andijan (IRE) 12-1 (10-5) Towards rear, 10th 4 out, no impression under pressure and kept on without threatening from 2 out, 5th of 11, 14l behind Ri Na Deise (9-12) at Down Royal 2m hcp hdl 0-140 gd.
Along The Nile 20-1 (8-10) Led, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 6, 3 1/2l behind Gulf Express (9-2) at Pontefract 1m 2f hcp 0-100 (2) gf in Sept (Flat).
Balyan (IRE) 12-1 (11-10) Slowly away, soon led, hit 2 out, headed before last, kept on same pace, 5th of 17, 6l behind Border Tale (11-5) at Kelso 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Oct.
Harvest Warrior 20-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, keen, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened, last of 14, well behind Spectait (11-0) at Aintree 2m mdn hdl (3) gd in Oct.
Hunting Haze 40-1 (10-11) Held up mid-division, weakened approaching 3 out, 10th of 20, well behind Brave Rebellion (11-1) at Wetherby 2m 4f cnd nov hdl (4) gf in Apr.
My Arch 9-4 (10-4) Held up in touch, chased leaders 7f out, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 11, 13l behind Gold Thread (10-9) at Ayr 2m nhf (6) gd in Mar '06.
Nevinstown (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, ridden and effort after 4 out, one pace from next, 8th of 11, 29l behind Summer Lodge (11-5) at Newcastle 2m nov hdl (4) gf.
Regent's Secret (USA) 10-1 (10-12) Held up behind, headway 4 out, ridden 2 out, effort and chance last, not much room and switched left flat, kept on, always held, 2nd of 11, nk behind Summer Lodge (11-5) at Newcastle 2m nov hdl (4) gf.
Run To Space 7-4 (11-0) Made most to 3 out, led again last, ran on well, won at Maisemore Park 3m ptp gf in May beating Father Tom (11-0) by 2l, 5 ran.
Sea Storm (IRE) 5-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, led first, headed 5th, ridden approaching 3 out, kept on from last, 3rd of 14, 3 1/2l behind Spectait (11-0) at Aintree 2m mdn hdl (3) gd in Oct.
Toshi (USA) 66-1 (11-0) Held up, keen, soon tracking leaders, led 5th, hit 4 out, ridden 3 out, headed flat, soon weakened, 5th of 14, 6l behind Spectait (11-0) at Aintree 2m mdn hdl (3) gd in Oct.
Tranos (USA) 14-1 (10-12) Always behind, 8th of 15, 26l behind Quicuyo (10-12) at Carlisle 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Watch My Back 13-2 (11-0) Held up, smooth headway to chase leaders approaching 2 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 16, 4l behind Jass (11-0) at Kelso 2m nh mdn hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Niza d'Alm (FR) 200-1 (10-7) With leaders and keen, jumped right throughout, lost place 7th and pulled up 3 out in race won by Brave Rebellion (11-4) at Wetherby 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gf in Apr, 13 ran.
Nanton (USA) 6-1 (9-1) Held up, ridden over 3f out, no progress and outpaced final 2f, 6th of 9, 6l behind Russki (8-6) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Oct (Flat).
Turbo Shandy 20-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out, 10th of 16, 21l behind Jass (11-0) at Kelso 2m nh mdn hdl (4) gd in Oct.
