chased leaders, not fluent 4th, reminders after next, struggling 4 out, never on terms
tracked leaders, hampered and jumped slowly when left in lead 3 out, soon headed, ridden after next, one pace when mistake last
mid-division, lost place 4th, hung and behind when pulled up after 5th
chased leaders, reminders 6th, soon lost place, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
with leader, led 2nd, blundered and headed 5th, chased leaders until weakened 3 out, behind when pulled up before next
chased leaders, lost place 4 out, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
led to 2nd, with leader, led again 5th, headed 7th, weakened 3 out, behind when pulled up before next
mid-division, chased leaders 3 out,, kept on same pace from next, no impression
held up towards rear, some headway 3 out, not fluent next, went 3rd between last 2, kept on, no chance with 1st 2
held up in rear, driven and headway to lead after 3 out, ridden approaching last
tracked leaders, headway to lead approaching 7th, tried to run out and unseated rider 3 out
Ajay,Chapel House and Isan look the three to concentrate on in this novice hurdle and the narrow vote is given to Ajay. The selection was a fair second behind Onefourfun last time out, that form looks rock solid in the context of this race and he need only run up to that mark to win this with a little in hand. Chapel House is a beneficial gelding out of a moderate racemare but he is bred to be suited by further and is taken on with this in mind. Isan shaped with promise in two runs last season and it will be interesting where he shapes in the market compared to his stable companion. Gnillish is another that has shaped with promise in the past but is related to three mile chase winners and that is where his future may lie. Battle Stations may just need the run after a 451 day absence. This is a trappy affair and the market will be very informative but for the winner we return to Ajay.
Ajay (IRE) 15-2 (11-8) Held up, headway 6th, 2nd 4 out, ridden to lead before next, headed 2 out, soon no impression, 2nd of 12, 13l behind Onefourfun (11-6) at Wetherby 2m 3f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Dec.
Battle Stations 33-1 (10-9) With leaders, led after 4f, ridden 4f out, headed over 2f out, kept on same pace, 5th of 16, 6l behind Johnny Bissett (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m nhf (6) gs in Nov '06.
Chapel House Beneficial gelding out of a moderate racemare.
Cloisters Hill 66-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, weakened over 5f out, tailed off, 10th of 15, well behind Le Platino (10-11) at Catterick 2m nhf (5) gf in Dec.
Gnillish 40-1 (10-2) Tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, 5th of 12, 15l behind Hue (11-7) at Sedgefield 2m 5f nov hdl (4) gd in Dec.
Grey Eagle 150-1 (10-2) Mid-division, outpaced 4 out, weakened next, 12th of 14, well behind Auroras Encore (10-7) at Sedgefield 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Isan (IRE) 6-1 (11-2) Led, headed 4th, weakened 4 out, 9th of 11, well behind Top Dressing (11-2) at Newcastle 2m nov hdl (4) hvy.
Kalibs Dream 200-1 (11-5) Always behind, lost place 7th, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Master Builder (11-12) at Kelso 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan, 15 ran.
Peterpan de Solzen (FR) 80-1 (10-2) Held up, behind when unseated rider at the 6th in race won by Charlie Crab (10-12) at Catterick 3m 1f nov hdl (4) gs in Jan, 13 ran.
Quality Control (IRE) 80-1 (10-12) Mid-division, outpaced 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 3rd of 7, well behind Tazbar (10-12) at Newcastle 2m 6f nov hdl (2) gs in Dec.
Ragador 33-1 (10-5) Mid-division, weakened after 3 out, 6th of 13, 37l behind Charlie Crab (10-12) at Catterick 3m 1f nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Moving Story 200-1 (10-7) Raced keenly, behind, reminders 4th, never dangerous, 12th of 18, 36l behind Blue Bajan (11-5) at Doncaster 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
