held up in rear, hampered 4th, no danger after
towards rear, never dangerous
in touch, headway approaching 3 out, led approaching 2 out, stayed on strongly
mid-division, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
tracked leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, soon outpaced
led, headed 7th, remained prominent, ridden 3 out, one pace from next
close up, led 5th, headed approaching 2 out, kept on same pace
held up in mid-division, fell 4th
towards rear, ridden approaching 3 out, no impression
chased leaders, weakened approaching 3 out
This doesn't appear to be too strong a handicap and Killing Me Softly has obvious form claims and gets the vote ahead of Top Style and Named At Dinner. The selection can make it back to back victories after beating Misbehaviour at Leicester. That was only a seller but this is no better and as he is only lightly raced over hurdles there could be improvement to come. Top Style hails from the unstoppable Howard Johnson yard and he was successful in a weak race on the flat at Ayr last October. He hasn't raced over hurdles for three years but will no doubt have been well prepared by his handler. Named At Dinner has taken on much better opposition than this and gets in here on a very fair mark, he should be capable of making the frame. It is not the strongest of races and Killing Me Softly, although only modest, can take first prize.
We'll Meet Again 20-1 Always behind, lost touch 4 out, tailed off, 13th of 16, well behind Mr Midaz at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gs in Dec.
Noble Pursuit 200-1 Behind until kept on from 2 out, never nearer, 6th of 16, 23l behind Beanney at Catterick 2m nov hdl (E) gs in Jan.
Top Style (IRE) 20-1 Never better than mid-division, 18th of 28, 38l behind Aquila Oculus at Cork 2m 4yo mdn hdl gs in Mar '02.
Royal Exposure (IRE) 100-1 Behind, ridden approaching 2 out, weakening when hit next, 12th of 18, well behind Cherub at Market Rasen 2m 1f amt nov hdl (E) gs in Nov.
Named At Dinner 7-4fav Tracked leader, lost place and ridden approaching 3 out, soon beaten, 4th of 5, 14l behind Hold The Line at Musselburgh 2m 3yo nov hcp hdl (E) gf in Nov.
Tetragon (IRE) 100-1 In touch until dropped rear 4th, weakened quickly and pulled up 5 out in race won by Rayshan at Musselburgh 2m 4yo nov hdl (D) gd, 10 ran.
Killing Me Softly 12-1 Led, ridden and headed 2 out, soon hung right, led again after last, stayed on, won at Leicester 2m sll hcp hdl 0-90 (G) sft in Jan beating Misbehaviour by 2 1/2l, 11 ran.
Racing Night (USA) 100-1 Always towards rear, 7th of 9, 38l behind Aleron at Musselburgh 2m nov hdl (C) gd in Jan.
Katie Kai 50-1 Chased leaders, outpaced after 3 out, soon ridden, kept on under pressure from next, no impression, 4th of 10, 11l behind Armentieres at Catterick 2m 4yo nov sll hdl (G) gs in Jan.
Spectrum Star 66-1 Held up towards rear, ridden and outpaced 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 5th of 7, well behind Hot Weld at Sedgefield 3m 3f nov hdl (E) gs in Nov.
