None of this handicap hurdle field jumps off the page but after improving in two handicap starts we'll just side with LEITH WALK while Just Waz should be able to make inroads off his current mark with doubts remaining whether the conditions suit Sonny Sam. Having handled sift ground in his bumper career the pick looks to have been given his easiest handicap assignment yet. He's been well held in two starts in these ranks but showed improvement last time and with another four pounds removed from his back he should go well. Just Waz won a selling handicap at Catterick on soft ground so should have no worries about the going here. He's also now just four pounds heavier than that success and in this company should be capable of a prominent display. Sonny Sam ran a decent race in defeat last time on his return to jumping and while he can build on that he'd like it firmer under hoof. High Stand Lad looks under a big burden at present so is over looked this time while Emotive ran well in selling company last time and a repeat should have him in the mix here Not a great race but a winner to be found and we think that winner could be Leith Walk.
High Stand Lad 9-4fav (11-7) Led to before 1st, in touch, lost place 4th, soon behind, tailed off 2 out, 8th of 10, well behind Sumak (11-7) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft.
Mistic Academy (IRE) 100-1 (10-7) Held up towards rear, never dangerous, 7th of 14, 29l behind My Shamwari (11-0) at Southwell 2m mdn hdl (4) gd.
Leith Walk (IRE) 12-1 (10-5) Keen early, held up, behind 8th, progress but no on terms when went 4th 3 out, left moderate 3rd 2 out, 3rd of 8, 18l behind Baikaline (9-4) at Aintree 2m 4f cond hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Jun.
Nous Voila (FR) 50-1 (10-12) Prominent, slow 3rd, led after next, headed 5th, slow next, weakened before 2 out, 5th of 8, 47l behind Isle de Maurice (10-5) at Fontwell 2m 4f sell hdl (3) sft.
Lisdonagh House (IRE) 28-1 (10-12) Towards rear, outpaced after 3 out, 7th of 12, 32l behind I'm Delilah (10-7) at Hexham 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in May.
Just Waz (USA) 13-2 (10-12) Mid-division, reminders approaching 7th, never on terms, 6th of 14, 40l behind One Cool Day (11-5) at Southwell 2m 5f sell hdl (5) gd in May.
Monfils Monfils (USA) 14-1 (11-6) Always towards rear, never dangerous, 10th of 11, 31l behind Amir Pasha (11-1) at Catterick 2m sll hcp hdl 0-95 3yo+ (5) gs.
Emotive 8-1 (10-13) Held up, headway 4th, ridden 2 out, jumped right last, 5th of 11, 8l behind Amir Pasha (11-1) at Catterick 2m sll hcp hdl 0-95 3yo+ (5) gs.
Sonny Sam (IRE) 7-2fav (10-0) Towards rear, ridden 3 out, blundered next, one pace from last, 4th of 13, 14l behind Ballabrook (10-5) at Catterick 2m 3f con hcp hdl 0-110 3yo+ (4) gs.
Evelith Regent (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) Always towards rear, 7th of 10, 28l behind Calzaghe (11-9) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-90 (5) sft in Nov.
Kalibs Dream 66-1 (11-2) Held up and keen, headway approaching 7th, weakened after next, pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Quay Meadow (11-0) at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp hdl (5) sft in Dec '08, 16 ran.
Ardesia (IRE) 10-1 (10-10) Held up, mistake 2nd, rider lost irons, pulled up after 5th, in a race won by Amir Pasha (11-3) at Catterick 2m 3f am hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs, 17 ran.
Safin (GER) 22-1 (10-8) Held up mid-division, chased leaders approaching 4 out, one pace from 2 out, 6th of 11, 40l behind Command Marshal (10-2) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Oct.
Daniel's Dream 28-1 (9-11) Prominent, weakened approaching 2 out, 8th of 14, well behind Miss Tarantella (9-11) at Hexham 2m hcp hdl (5) hvy in Nov '08.
Perez (IRE) 150-1 (10-12) Held up, weakened 3 out, pulled up before next, in a race won by Planetarium (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 4f sll hdl (5) gd in Nov, 8 ran.
