chased leader, led 9th, mistake 2 out, soon ridden and headed, hit last, no extra
held up, hampered and mistake 3rd, never travelling after, went badly right 5th, pulled up before next
held up, headway and hampered 7th, ridden to chase leading pair after 4 out, kept on same pace
in touch until 8th, soon behind, pulled up after 3 out
led, headed and mistake 9th, soon ridden, hit next, soon beaten
jumped right, hit 1st, mistake 3rd, not fluent next, pulled up before 5th
chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, led after 2 out, kept on well, ridden out
Sturbury is taken to account for Olival and Post It. Sturbury was not great shakes over hurdles but won well enough over the bigger obstacles and while improvement is necessary to follow up, it's worth noting that she is off basement figures to do it. Olival is entitled to have needed a reappearance run and can be expected to build upon this recent effort. The likely modus operandi will be to kick on and try and make it. Post It won after a year off the course although the bounce factor could be a possibility following such an impressive effort. Albarino is technically well in versus his hurdling mark but has been out of form. Be Positive may be better for today's surface and is watched in the market. Sturbury could be ahead of the handicapper and is accordingly nominated.
Be Positive 11-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders, led 4 out, headed and weakened soon after, 9th of 18, well behind Kelv (10-11) at Hereford 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf in Apr.
Sturbury 4-1 (11-8) Held up last, hampered 3rd, headway to chase leader 8th, challenged 4 out, led and pecked last, driven out flat, won at Wincanton 2m nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gf beating Lorrelini (10-6) by 1 1/2l, 5 ran.
Albarino (IRE) 9-1 (10-7) Took keen hold, headway to lead before 4th, headed 3 out, soon weakened, 4th of 7, 13l behind Incorporation (10-5) at Worcester 2m hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft.
Necker (FR) 17-2 (10-3) Held up when mistake and unseated rider at the 2nd in race won by Smoke Trail (11-1) at Wincanton 2m hcp chs 0-120 (3) frm in Apr, 7 ran.
Olival (FR) 8-1 (11-0) Led, headed approaching 6th, led again 8th, headed after 9th, ridden and every chance 3 out, weakened approaching next, 4th of 5, 20l behind Alfie's Sun (11-12) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf.
Post It 9-2 (10-8) Held up, closer order 8th, mistake 4 out, led approaching 2 out, ridden when mistake last, kept on, won at Hereford 2m beg chs (4) gf in Apr beating Moonfleet (10-5) by 1 1/2l, 5 ran.
Blandings Castle 11-4 (10-5) Prominent, every chance approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 8, well behind Norton Sapphire (9-9) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Nov.
