held up in rear, headway approaching 3 out, ridden next, stayed on under pressure to go 2nd after last, no chance with winner
in touch when pulled up after 6th, dismounted
in touch, led after 3 out, ridden clear next, stayed on well
mid-division, lost place 5th, soon tailed off
held up, hit 6th, outpaced 3 out, never on terms
with leader, lost place when hit 3 out, soon weakened
mid-division, outpaced 4 out, weakened next
chased leaders, lost place 7th, soon behind
behind, ridden and kept on from 3 out, never near leaders
led, headed after 3 out, soon ridden, one pace and no impression approaching last
chased leaders, lost place after 4 out, soon weakened
mid-division, headway on outside 3 out, soon ridden, weakened after next
Auroras Encore, Carys's Lad and Professor Higgins are three against the field in this competitive handicap hurdle and the vote is given to Auroras Encore. The selection was a fair second behind Star Beat last time out, looks sure to improve for the step up in trip and he looks a value bet in an open affair. Carys's Lad rates the main danger on his best form but he is more exposed than most and looks vulnerable under his penalty. Professor Higgins is another worthy of respect on his bumper form but he disappointed on his debut over hurdles but he could improve for the longer trip and should be watched in the market. Always Ask hails from a shrewd yard and has shown promise in the past but he may need the run after a 618 day break. Of the remainder Herbie looks the stables second string on jockey bookings and with this in mind for the winner we return to Auroras Encore.
Carys's Lad 66-1 (11-5) Held up in rear, not fluent 4th, mistake 5th, behind 7th, mistake 2 out, 6th of 10, 25l behind Razor Royale (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov hdl (2) sft in Nov.
Always Ask (IRE) (12-0) Headway when left in lead 2 out, stayed on, won at Ballynoe 3m ire ptp sft in Apr '06 beating An Fear Doiteain (12-0) by 1l, 15 ran.
Auroras Encore (IRE) 7-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, led after 3 out, soon ridden, not fluent when headed last, stayed on towards finish, 2nd of 9, nk behind Star Beat (10-11) at Wetherby 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gf in Nov.
Billslegacy (IRE) 200-1 (10-9) Always behind, tailed off when pulled up 5 out in race won by Oh Pickles (10-12) at Carlisle 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Nov, 14 ran.
Fair Hills Baba (FR) 12-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, weakened 7th, tailed off, last of 10, well behind Viking Rebel (10-12) at Ayr 2m 4f nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Great Grimsby (IRE) 14-1 (10-12) Chased winner, ridden after 3 out, weakened approaching next, 3rd of 10, 23l behind Border Fox (10-9) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) sft.
Grey Eagle 100-1 (10-2) Held up, ridden after 4 out, soon weakened, 11th of 14, 38l behind Lease Lend (10-12) at Wetherby 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Herbie (IRE) 5-2 (10-12) Tracked leaders, one pace from 2 out, 6th of 9, 18l behind Atticus Boy (11-9) at Wetherby 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gf in Oct.
Jack Tar (IRE) 100-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, ridden over 4f out, soon weakened, 15th of 16, well behind Harrowman (10-9) at Haydock 2m nhf (6) gd in Nov '06.
Lord Samposin 200-1 (10-9) Soon behind, never dangerous, 10th of 16, well behind Akarem (10-12) at Kelso 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Macamoto (IRE) 7-1 (11-7) Novicey in rr; outpcd 9; stayed on game to chall 3 out; rdn ahd bet last 2, won at Welbeck 2m 5f ptp gd in Mar beating Mad Victor (12-0) by 3l, 12 ran.
Peterpan de Solzen (FR) 100-1 (10-9) In rear, weakened 7th, 13th of 16, well behind Marleybow (10-12) at Carlisle 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Professor Higgins (IRE) 7-2 (10-12) Led from 6th, headed 3 out, mistake when weakening 2 out, 10th of 15, 48l behind Hills Of Aran (11-5) at Carlisle 3m 1f nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Quillan Hill 7-1 (10-11) Chased leaders in moderate 3rd, 2nd 5 out, closed approaching 2 out, soon lost place and no impression, 6th of 16, 30l behind Handfull Of Euros (11-4) at Kilbeggan 2m 3f mdn hdl gs in May '06.
