hampered 1st, raced wide, chased leaders to 5th, soon lost place, tailed off
raced wide in mid-division, headway to challenge 3 out, ridden to lead last, stayed on well flat
left in lead 1st, headed after 5th, lost place 7th, tailed off when mistake last
prominent on inside when fell 5th
in touch, led after 5th, headed 7th, led again after 3 out, ridden and headed when hit last, no extra flat
hampered 1st, mid-division, lost place 6th, soon tailed off, pulled up before 3 out
held up towards rear, hampered 5th, headway approaching 3 out, ridden to chase leaders next, kept on same pace
behind, headway to chase leaders 3 out, weakened after next
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
in touch, led 7th, headed 3 out, weakened quickly approaching next
mid-division, headway 3 out, effort next, stayed on under pressure to go 2nd towards finish
behind, some headway when blundered 3 out, no danger after
chased leaders to 6th, soon behind
mid-division, hampered 1st, pushed along and headway 7th, led approaching 3 out, soon headed, ridden and weakened next
Our shortlist here consists of Fairy Skin Maker, Bodfari Signet, World Vision and Deja Vu, with the vote going to Deja Vu. The selection catches the eye because he is the selected ride of Graham Lee from the two Howard Johnson runners. Given that he is lightly raced he might well be able to build on his Musselburgh novices' handicap hurdle win last season, even though he races now from an eight-pound higher mark. World Vision's win last time came in a novice chase but, given that he appeared to show improved form there and his stable is in good heart, he could also yet have better to come over hurdles. Despite probably preferring better going, Bodfari Signet has claims because he is five pounds above a winning mark but his rider claims five, although he has never won on going with give in it. Fairy Skin Maker comes here in good heart and even though he is seven pounds higher now than for his course and distance win in September, he can still be competitive. The likes of Ambry, Plutocrat, Edmo Yewkay, who is unproven at today's trip, Teme Valley, who is also unproven at the trip, and the lightly raced Red Man, are others that can be considered but, for today, the vote in a pretty competitive race, goes to Deja Vu.