held up in touch, effort 3 out, soon outpaced
behind, outpaced throughout, never dangerous
held up, always towards rear
tracked leaders, led 3 out, ridden and idled last, just held on
raced keenly, tracked leader, effort and every chance 3 out, pecked at last, rallied flat, just failed
with leader, lost place 4 out, soon weakened
in touch, effort 3 out, ridden and kept on same pace from next
mid-division, weakened 4 out, pulled up before next
held up, headway 3 out, soon ridden, stayed on flat, not reached leaders
in touch, lost place 4th, soon behind
DREVER ROUTE looks to be justified in his position as a likely short priced favourite with the main dangers to Howard Johnson's charge looking to be Fortunate Isle and Bajan Pride. The pick's last outing was too bad to be true after racing keenly resulting in plenty of jumping errors and a very disappointing effort. Previos to that he showed all his potential in claiming a similar event in style at Hexham from which the form is rock solid. Obviously there is a risk attached when backing this one but if this run can match his potential this should be a formality. Fortunate Isle was a winner on the flat netting connections a decent return on their investment. The switch to hurdling is yet to produce the same results so far and he looks to be a bit flattered by his 107 rating. You feel he'll win a race like this but not here. Bajan Pride was rated at 82 on the level and looked competent in a Maiden hurdle last time out. There should be more to come from this one after that experience over timber. Hurdles debutant Kingsdale Orion has some good form on the flat and could challenge while Seraphin looked well enough last time after a year out however the verdict goes to the promising Drever Route.
Drever Route (IRE) 13-8 (11-5) Led to 3rd, chased leaders, weakened approaching 3 out, 11th of 14, well behind Dzesmin (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Bajan Pride 33-1 (11-0) Towards rear, some headway to chase leaders after 4 out, ridden next and weakened from 2 out, 8th of 13, 27l behind Red Moloney (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m mdn hdl (5) gf.
Byron Bay 40-1 (11-2) Took keen hold in mid-division, weakened before 3 out, 8th of 9, well behind Donaldson (10-8) at Fakenham 2m cnd mdn hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Executive Xpress 66-1 (10-7) Towards rear, blundered 2 out, never dangerous, 8th of 16, 28l behind Signalman (10-5) at Kelso 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Fortunate Isle (USA) 8-1 (10-12) Held up in touch, headway to chase leaders 3 out, one pace, 5th of 13, 14l behind Grizebeck (10-12) at Bangor 2m 1f nov hdl (4) hvy in Nov.
Kingsdale Orion (IRE) 20-1 (9-0) Towards rear, ridden and headway over 2f, one pace final furlong, 9th of 21, 3l behind Misphire (8-12) at Doncaster 7f app hcp (4) sft in Nov (Flat).
Lukey Luke 125-1 (10-12) Held up, ridden approaching 7th, weakened after 4 out, 8th of 21, 43l behind Kangaroo Court (10-9) at Doncaster 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gd.
Rambling Brook 50-1 (10-11) Held up, headway halfway, driven and behind final 2f, 8th of 16, 23l behind Karmadice (10-8) at Newcastle 2m mdn nhf (6) gd in Oct.
Seraphin (FR) 12-1 (11-0) Towards rear, some headway to moderate 5th 3f out, kept on one pace, 5th of 9, 39l behind Voler La Vedette (10-12) at Down Royal 2m nhf sft in Oct.
Soneva Gili (IRE) 7-1 (9-5) Chased leaders, closer in 5th 3f out, no impression under pressure straight, 7th of 13, 15l behind Bidalia (9-0) at Sligo 1m 2f 3yo mdn sft in Oct '07 (Flat).
Waldo Winchester (IRE) 50-1 (11-4) Behind, outpaced 4 out, never on terms, 11th of 16, 40l behind Kealshore Boy (11-4) at Newcastle 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Bollin Fiona 200-1 (9-12) Towards rear and mistakes, tailed off 4th, 15th of 16, well behind Signalman (10-5) at Kelso 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Castleroche (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, struggling from 5th and pulled up at the last in race won by Letterpress (10-12) at Hexham 2m nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Nov, 6 ran.
Pete 18-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway and effort 3 out, weakened next, 9th of 12, 47l behind The Panama Kid (10-5) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Amulree 10-1 (10-12) Held up, chased leaders 6f out, weakened over 3f out, 6th of 10, well behind Brackenmoss (11-2) at Hexham 2m mrs nhf (6) hvy in Nov.
