took keen hold, tracked leaders, not fluent 4th, chasing leader when hampered and switched left on landing 2 out, left challenging soon after last, driven ahead last stride
held up in 5th, not fluent and ridden in rear 5th, weakened 3 out
tracked leaders, not fluent 4th, hit next, led before 6th, blundered 3 out, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, soon beaten
held up in rear, took keen hold, closed from 5th, ridden approaching 2 out, left in lead soon after last, headed last stride
tracked leaders, not fluent 4th, went 2nd after 6th, led approaching 2 out where mistake and went right, 2 lenghts ahead and looking in command when bad mistake last, soon headed, unable to recover
led until approaching 6th, weakened 3 out, tailed off
held up in rear, headway approaching 3 out, close up 2 out, soon ridden, slightly hampered flat, unable to quicken
Nonrunner
Exulto is chasing a hat-trick here but the assessor may be getting to him now so instead we prefer STUMPED, in this handicap hurdle, after his bold display under a penalty last time out while Aohna looks weighted for a big run. After a battling win when 5lbs better off in the handicap the pick found just the one too good under a penalty on his latest start. He's actually better weighed in this race so the chances are he can go one better with his main rivals needing to prove some weight carrying ability. Exulto has proved progressive since switching into handicap company and completed a two-timer with a solid victory at Southwell in a race where the form has some strength to it. He could improve again but the handicapper may have him now. Aohna has been in the frame in his last six starts including when on top in a Huntingdon maiden last season. He made a very pleasing re-appearance and handicap debut and now that bit fitter he has a clear claim. This looks another open contest but Stumped has a great chance racing from bottom weight.
Dishdasha (IRE) 4-1 (11-1) Held up towards rear, headway to chase leaders approaching 5th, ridden approaching 2 out, no impression, 4th of 9, 9l behind Tiger O'toole (10-13) at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gf in May.
Nordwind (IRE) 6-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, hampered 2nd, went 2nd before next, weakened approaching 2 out, jumped left last, 4th of 8, 27l behind Call Me Sam (11-4) at Fontwell 2m 2f beg chs (4) gf in Sep.
Agente Romano (USA) 8-1 (11-2) Led, not fluent 3rd, soon went clear, headed approaching 6th, outpaced 3 out, stayed on from 2 out, 4th of 11, 19l behind Nortonthorpe Lad (11-4) at Newton Abbot 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in May.
Exulto (IRE) 6-4fav (11-4) In rear, headway after 3 out, led after 2 out, kept on from last, held on well, won at Southwell 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Apr beating Dalaram (11-5) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
Aohna (FR) 10-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway on inside 6th, hampered 3 out, ridden and switched right after 2 out, chased winner flat, ran on, 2nd of 11, 1/2l behind Alazan (11-5) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in May.
Olympian Boy (IRE) 9-4 (11-0) Led, headed 5th, regained lead soon after, headed approaching 6th, weakened after 7th, tailed off, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by I'm A Legend (11-0) at Taunton 2m nov chs 0-115 (4) gs in Nov, 4 ran.
Stumped 3-1fav (10-13) Held up in rear, headway approaching 2 out, chased winner approaching last, kept on and no impression, 2nd of 8, 3l behind Battle Group (11-4) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd.
Smack That (IRE) 4-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, fell 3rd, in a race won by Earth And Sky (11-5) at Down Royal 2m beg chase gd in Mar, 9 ran.
Krackatara 9-2 (11-12) Towards rear, headway after 6th, led approaching 3 out, ridden 2 out, 5 lengths clear and in command when fell last, in a race won by Or Bleu (11-8) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Mar '08, 9 ran.
