tracked leaders, pushed along when not fluent 6th, lost place after 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, soon eased, tailed off
always prominent, led after 3 out, ridden clear after next, stayed on well
held up in mid-division, ridden after 7th, 6th 2 out, stayed on approaching last to take never dangerous 3rd flat
in rear, mistake 6th, stayed on approaching last, went 4th flat, never nearer
prominent, every chance after 3 out, no impression on winner approaching last
led until ridden after 3 out, soon beaten, hit last
in rear, mistakes, well behind 3 out, tailed off
in touch, mistake 1st, blundered 5th, not fluent 6th, mistake 3 out, soon went 3rd, no impression approaching 2 out, mistake last, demoted to 5th flat
in rear, not fluent, lost touch when mistake 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, hit 3 out, effort 3 out, soon weakened
This looks a competitive novices' hurdle for the time of year, so Sahrati may struggle to give weight away all-round. Michael Blake's charge arrives searching for a hat-trick and could hardly have been more impressive at Worcester even accounting for his main rival coming to grief. This strong traveller is the one to beat, but at the likely prices we fancy CAILIN NA RI to make all. Our pick is a likeable mare who is very hard to pass and her second last time looks strong form; at the weights she's very close to Sahrati and may just be able to run him into the ground. Knar Mardy needs to improve while Grand Zouki is probably better over further, so hurdling debutant Mr Jay Dee should be able to feature prominently. He's shown steadily progressive form in bumpers, winning well at Southwell, and this step up in trip looks just the ticket. Quo Vista makes no obvious appeal but is trained by John Wade and therefore needs a market check along with flat recruit Amical Risks.
Sahrati 1-2fav (11-5) Bumped 1st, tracked leaders, challenging when mistake 7th, led approaching 3 out, taken right after 2 out, easily, won at Worcester 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gf in Jul beating Sir Ronan (10-5) by 7l, 8 ran.
Grand Zouki (FR) 15-8 (11-6) With leader, led 2nd, headed soon after, tracked leaders, challenged and led again briefly before 2 out, ridden and outpaced between last 2, no chance with leading pair approaching last, 3rd of 10, 25l behind Thyne For Deploy (10-13) at Hexham 3m nh nov hdl (4) gd in May.
Knar Mardy 10-1 (11-2) Towards rear, ridden and headway after 7th, not fluent 9th, soon weakened, tailed off, 9th of 12, well behind Chesapeake (10-12) at Worcester 3m nh nov hdl (4) gf in Jun.
Amical Risks (FR) 5-1 (8-1) Missed break, headway towards centre over 2f out, chased leading pair over 1f out, stayed on to chase winner briefly and every chance inside final furlong, held towards finish, 3rd of 8, 1l behind Amir Pasha (8-11) at Haydock 1m 4f app hcp (5) sft (flat).
Cailin Na Ri (IRE) 1-3fav (10-12) Led, headed last, soon ridden and every chance, no extra towards finish, 2nd of 9, 2 1/4l behind Dowd's Destiny (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gd.
Call Me Mulligan (IRE) 11-4 (11-0) Prominent, led after 5th, headed next, led 7th until 10th, led after 14th, headed 3 out, stayed on under strong pressure to lead towards finish, won at Worcester 2m 7f beg chase (4) gd in Jul beating Massini Man (10-7) by 3/4l, 8 ran.
Gutter Lane 28-1 (10-10) Mid-division, outpaced 5f out, weakened over 3f out, 11th of 14, 48l behind Vertige Dore (11-1) at Worcester 2m NH flat (6) gd.
Mr Jay Dee (IRE) Evensfav (11-2) Made all, drew clear inside final 3f, ran on well, edged right close home, won at Southwell 2m NH flat (6) gd in Jul beating Helena Of Troy (10-7) by 8l, 9 ran.
Quo Vista (IRE) Anshan gelding out of Miss Cooline.
Zahara Joy 40-1 (10-2) Prominent, took keen hold, bumped 1st, not fluent 6th, weakened after 3 out, 4th of 8, 23l behind Admiral Dundas (10-9) at Southwell 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Jul.
