led, headed 2 out, soon ridden, outpaced when hampered before last, weakened flat
held up, driven and headway after 3 out, ridden to lead before last, stayed on well
chased leaders, ridden and outpaced after 5th, soon weakened, behind when pulled up before 3 out
held up behind, outpaced approaching 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off
held up, headway 3 out, ridden and efforf when not fluent next, weakened last
held up, ridden and outpaced 3 out, kept on same pace from next, never dangerous
tracked leaders, went 2nd 5th, challenged 3 out, ridden to lead narrowly next, edged left and headed before last, no extra flat
held up, effort approaching 3 out, soon outpaced, no impression from next
tracked leader, lost place 5th, soon ridden and behind, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
River Ardeche looks interesting on his return to this sphere and Red Dynamite looked better on his last run but this time we side with the recent good form of FOR A DANCE. Sue Smith's gelding certainly seemed to improve for joining the handicap ranks last time out winning well off a mark of 85. He's up nine pounds for that success but won doing handsprings so still looks fairly treated. River Ardeche put in a solid performance the last time he took on hurdles but since then he's been going well at a good level on the level and a continuation of that form would have him close. Red Dynamite put in a much improved effort at this track in a similar contest in identical conditions last time out. The handicapper hasn't made it easier for him putting his rating up four pounds but his form when sixth of 16 off this mark has been franked nicely. White Lightning was a course and distance winner last time out but has more to do now back in handicap company leading us to the conclusion that For A Dance is the likely winner.
River Ardeche 7-4fav (10-12) Led, ridden and headed between last 2, no impression approaching last, 2nd of 11, 10l behind Elk Trail (10-12) at Catterick 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Calculaite 12-1 (10-6) Tracked leader, every chance 4th, ridden approaching 4 out, soon beaten, 9th of 10, 45l behind Amazing King (10-12) at Musselburgh 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gf in Nov.
Sonic Anthem (USA) 4-1fav (10-11) Chased leaders, not fluent 6th, stumbled well before 3 out, soon weakened, behind and pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Ameeq (11-5) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in May, 13 ran.
Goldan Jess (IRE) 14-1 (10-11) Held up mid-division, struggling 6th, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out, fell last, in a race won by Victorias Groom (11-10) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Dec, 14 ran.
White Lightening (IRE) 11-2fav (11-9) Hampered 1st, mid-division, headway 3 out, went 2nd next, ridden to lead between last 2, 4 lengths clear when hit last, stayed on, won at Sedgefield 2m 1f sell hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in May beating Dennick (11-5) by 6l, 14 ran.
Royal Flynn 10-1 (11-7) Held up behind, headway approaching 2 out, ridden and kept on approaching last, not reached leaders, 5th of 13, 9l behind Moyne Pleasure (9-9) at Sedgefield 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in May.
For A Dancer (IRE) 15-2 (10-10) Close up, led approaching 3 out, stayed on well from last, won at Uttoxeter 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in May beating Nothingbutthetruth (11-12) by 7l, 16 ran.
Red Dynamite 10-1 (10-7) Mid-division, smooth headway 5th, led 3f out until headed approaching last, kept on flat, 2nd of 14, 3 1/2l behind Painted Sky (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in Apr.
Hugs Destiny (IRE) 20-1 (10-3) Tracked leader, mistake 5th, soon lost place, weakened after next, 10th of 13, well behind Prosecco (11-7) at Ayr 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Nov.
