close up, led on bit after 3 out, clear when hit next, comfortably
chased leader until after 4th, soon weakened, tailed off
held up, ridden approaching 3 out, stayed on approaching 2 out, went 2nd flat, never any chance with winner
towards rear, headway after 2nd, effort 3 out, soon one pace
towards rear, ridden 3 out, some late progress, never dangerous
reminders after 3rd, held up, ridden and lost touch quickly after 3 out
chased leaders, every chance 3 out, soon ridden, weakened before next
led, ridden and headed after 3 out, no chance with winner from next, lost 2nd flat
Nonrunner
A decent prize for the track though not a hugely competitive field for this handicap hurdle and Warpath looks the one to side with, while Beechwood and Sporazene are obvious dangers. The selection won off this mark over fences last time, acts at this track and relishes top-of-the-ground and he looks capable of taking this with plenty in his favour. Beechwood comes here on a hat-trick after success at both Fontwell and then here over c&d on ground softer than ideal. Back on a fast surface he has to be taken seriously but this is a step up in class. Sporazene took the County Hurdle at Cheltenham four years ago off a mark of 151 and heads today's weights off 134. He also has the very useful Harry Skelton claiming 7lb, so despite a lack of red hot recent form he may well be good enough. The major doubt with him is the ground, as he has never won on faster than good. Master Wells wants softer ground than this, Bathwick Breeze appears to be in the grip of the assessor, while the same can be said of Cold Mountain, and Warpath is the one for us.
Sporazene (IRE) 10-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, headway after 4 out, no impression from next, 5th of 15, 9l behind Liberate (11-10) at Haydock 3m hcp hdl (2) gd in May.
Warpath (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) Made all, clear approaching last, driven out, won at Worcester 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gf in May beating Pearl King (11-11) by 2 1/2l, 6 ran.
Cold Mountain (IRE) 4-1fav (11-0) Led, headed approaching 2nd, stayed prominent, left in lead 3 out, headed 2 out, one pace, 3rd of 11, 5l behind Nanga Parbat (10-13) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd.
Brize Norton (IRE) 5-1 (11-11) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden to challenge 2 out, soon led, narrowly headed before last where fell fell in race won by Bernabeu (11-11) at Limerick 2m 4f beg chs gd in Oct, 13 ran.
Soliya (FR) 12-1 (11-5) Mid-division, prominent 6th, soon ridden, weakened from next, 7th of 11, 42l behind English City (10-6) at Perth 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd.
Beechwood 10-1 (11-2) Mid-division, headway 5th, ridden and chased leader approaching 2 out, switched right approaching last, soon led, hard ridden flat, kept on, won at N Abbot 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft beating Masjoor (11-8) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
Nayodabayo (IRE) 9-2 (10-5) Tracked leader, led approaching 2nd until ran out 3 out in race won by Nanga Parbat (10-13) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd, 11 ran.
Bathwick Breeze 5-1 (11-0) Led, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, soon beaten, 5th of 14, 22l behind Mous Of Men (11-12) at Wincanton 2m nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Jan.
Bobsleigh 20-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, struggling 10th, hit 12th and 13th, one pace from 4 out, 5th of 10, 6l behind Norton Sapphire (10-4) at Exeter 2m 7f nov chs (4) gf in May '07.
Master Wells (IRE) 15-8 (10-7) Prominent, chased leader 3 out, shaken up 2 out, led last, headed final strides, 2nd of 11, shd behind Advancement (11-0) at N Abbot 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) sft.
