tracked leader, driven and lost place before 2 out, soon weakened
held up mid-division, headway 4 out, led before 2 out, clear last, comfortably
chased leaders, reminders and lost place 5th, behind from 4 out, tailed off
keen early, led to before 2 out, one pace approaching last
chased leaders, outpaced 3 out, no impression from next
mid-division, chased leaders 5th, outpaced 3 out, soon weakened
held up behind, headway 3 out, soon ridden, went 2nd next, edged left under pressure between last 2, kept on, no chance with winner
held up, outpaced 4 out, never dangerous
held up, ridden and outpaced 3 out, never on terms
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
With Silmi likely to take up an engagement the previous day and Raslan facing a ratings upgrade despite being beaten last time this could be a good opportunity for BENETWOOD to complete a four-timer by taking this Hanidcap Hurdle. Seven lengths was the margin of victory the selection recorded last time out to complete a hat-trick, a performance that has seen his mark increase to the tune of eight pounds. That might not stop him winning again with a good strike rate over this trip and his record of one win from one run at this venue. Raslan was only beaten a neck into second place on his last run in National Hunt company but given that he lost the five pound mark rise allotted to him seems harsh despite the form working out. Treaty Flyer ran well enough off this mark last time but looks in need of a reprieve while Horseford Hill could go well off this mark on his hurdles handicap bow but it's not a certainty. This is a good competitive race where Benetwood looks the percentage call.
Bureaucrat 16-1 (11-4) Always behind, 14th of 16, 33l behind Katies Tuitor (11-12) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-145 (2) gd in Sep.
Benetwood (IRE) 3-1 (11-12) Held up, headway 3 out, led narrowly when left 3l clear next, driven and stayed on well between last two, 8 lengths clear when eased towards finish, won at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gf in Jun beating Black Jacari (11-9) by 7l, 5 ran.
Raslan 8-1 (10-7) Led, headed 2nd, stayed prominent, ridden to lead again 3 out, headed flat, no extra, 2nd of 12, nk behind Last Flight (9-9) at Worcester 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gf in Jun.
Wake Board (FR) 4-9fav (11-5) Led, awkward 2nd and 3rd, headed 2 out and weakened, 4th of 12, 11l behind R De Rien Sivola (10-5) at Chepstow 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Horseford Hill 5-4fav (11-2) Held up in rear, headway when not fluent 8th, hung right after 3 out, led last, driven out, won at Ludlow 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gd in May beating Dawn At Sea (10-2) by 1 1/2l, 6 ran.
Indian Blood (IRE) 4-1 (10-8) Keen, held up, headway after 3 out, ridden and chance 2 out, not pace of winner, 2nd of 8, 6l behind First Point (11-9) at Newton Abbot 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Jun.
Stumped 15-2 (10-12) Held up behind, smooth progress 6th, led after 2 out, not fluent last, shaken up and ran on well, won at Newton Abbot 2m 3f sell hdl (5) gd in Jun beating Rapide Plaisir (10-12) by 1l, 16 ran.
Master Wells (IRE) 8-1 (10-0) Prominent, led 3rd, hit 3 out, soon ridden and headed, weakened quickly, last of 8, well behind First Point (11-9) at Newton Abbot 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Jun.
Top Trees 9-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, headway 6th, chased leaders approaching 3 out, chased leaders before 2 out, every chance last, not quicken flat, 3rd of 14, 1l behind Super Ross (11-9) at Newton Abbot 2m 3f sell hdl (5) gd.
Silmi 11-4 (11-5) Held up behind leaders, led 7th to 8th, led 9th to 11th, led 4 out, jumped right and strongly pressed when bumped 2 out, stayed on well flat, won at Worcester 2m 4f nov stks (4) gf in Jun beating Helm (10-12) by 2 3/4l, 7 ran.
Treaty Flyer (IRE) 9-4fav (11-2) Prominent, led 4th, soon headed, led next, not fluent 3 out, soon headed, lost 2nd 2 out, one pace, 3rd of 8, 6l behind Is It Me (11-12) at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd.
