chased leaders, ridden to lead 3 out, headed approaching 2 out, ran on flat
held up towards rear, headway approaching 6th, every chance after 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out
held up and behind, struggling after 4th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
held up in touch, went 2nd 3 out, led going well approaching 2 out, driven out
tracked leader, led after 4th, jumped right 4th and 6th, headed 3 out, soon weakened
mid-division, weakened 6th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
led until after 4th, weakened approaching 3 out
held up, behind from 6th, tailed off
held up, headway 6th, hit 3 out, weakened 2 out
Croix de Guerre, Wait For The Will and Blue Hawk look the three to concentrate on in this competitive handicap hurdle and the narrow vote is given to Wait For The Will. The selection was slightly disappointing on his first run of the season but he is best off a strong pace which he seems sure to get here with Croix de Guerre in the field. He remains on a fair mark and under conditions that suit he is taken to bounce back to form. Croix de Guerre rates the main danger on his latest third behind Burundi but he is far from straight forward and is one to have reservations about taking a short price about and on that basis he looks opposable. Blue Hawk won well last time out when beating Stocks 'n'Shares but he has a penalty for that win and this looks more competitive and he will need to improve again to win off this mark. Green Prospect was a lucky winner of a seller last time out and although this sharp track will suit he will need to improve on that to win this. Of the remainder Black de Bessy has the ability to go close but may just need the run after a 499 day absence and for the winner we return to Wait For The Will.
Croix de Guerre (IRE) 3-1 (11-12) Chased leader, ridden to lead when jumped left 2 out, soon hung left, headed close home, 3rd of 5, 3/4l behind Burundi (10-8) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-135 (C) gf in Aug.
Wait For The Will (USA) 5-1 (11-6) Always towards rear, no impression, 7th of 9, 40l behind Monticelli (11-12) at N Abbot 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-125 (D) gd in Aug.
Per Amore (IRE) 16-1 (11-11) Chase leader, led after 6th, headed 10th, weakened after next, no chance when fell 4 out in race won by El Bandito (10-13) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (D) gd in May '04, 10 ran.
Black de Bessy (FR) 5-2 (12-0) Held up, not fluent 3rd, chasing leaders when mistake 3 out, kept on same pace run-in, 3rd of 7, 3 1/2l behind McSnappy (11-2) at Fontwell 2m 6f nov chs (E) gd in Apr '04.
Green Prospect (FR) 8-11fav (11-6) Made all, soon clear, kept on under pressure run-in, won at Market Rasen 2m 1f sll hdl (G) gf in Aug beating Protocol (11-10) by a nk, 8 ran.
Private Benjamin 15-2 (9-13) In touch, close up when stumbled and unseated rider 3 out in race won by Dolzago (10-0) at Plumpton 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (D) gf, 13 ran.
Blue Hawk (IRE) 25-1 (10-3) Always prominent, led 7th, clear approaching 3 out, held on well, won at Worcester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gd in Jun beating Stocks 'N Shares (10-4) by 1 1/2l, 15 ran.
My Sharp Grey 12-1 (11-11) Held up, some headway 3 out, no impression after, 9th of 18, 22l behind Monksford (10-12) at N Abbot 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-100 (F) gd in May '04.
