led until after 4th, weakening when mistake 3 out
held up towards rear, headway approaching 6th, jumped right 3 out, weakened and eased before 2 out
chased leaders, outpaced after 3 out, rallied 2 out, stayed on flat, went 3rd near finish
chased leaders, weakened after 6th
not jumped well, always in rear, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
chased leaders, went 2nd when mistake 2 out, led when not fluent last, stayed on well under pressure
held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, still going well before 2 out, chased winner after last, ran on
held up, headway 6th, never reached leaders, hanging left 2 out, soon weakened
in rear, ridden 5th, effort next, soon weakened
chased leader until led after 4th, hit 3 out, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, hanging left when weakened before last
mid-division, ridden 3 out, soon beaten
held up towards rear, headway 5th, challenging when hit 3 out, led approaching 2 out, headed before last, no extra flat
Probably the toughest race of the day finishes off the card and we'll make a very tentative suggestion that CROW SPINNEY's form over this trip gives him the edge over Weststern and Addicted in this Novice Handicap Hurdle After winning a bumper over course and distance on debut the selections form tailed off a bit before he took advantage of good terms in an Intermediate Hurdle last time out. That should give him some confidence and should mean his mark is about right. Weststern was also a winner on his last visit to a racecourse but has been put up eight pounds for his troubles to a career high mark and he hasn't shown much off similar slightly lower marks in the past. It's a little hard to assess the form of Nicky Henderson's Addicted with the gelding having been pitched in with some really good types at Novice level. He's not been seen for over a year but the stable have kept faith and any market support for him would be interesting. These three seem to have the best claims so we won't muddy the waters further and we give a very marginal pick in the shape of Crow Spinney.
Crow Spinney 7-1 (10-7) Made all, hard pressed between last 2, ridden and held on well flat, won at Perth 2m hdl (4) gd beating Opatja (11-5) by 1 1/2l, 6 ran.
Addicted (IRE) 7-1 (10-6) In touch until weakened 3 out, last of 15, 46l behind Altilhar (11-10) at Ascot 2m 4yo nov hcp hdl (2) gd in Mar '07.
Arch 100-1 (10-7) Towards rear, chased leaders approaching last, soon ridden and weakened flat, 5th of 14, 15l behind First Stream (11-0) at Kelso 2m 2f mdn hdl (5) gd in Mar.
Nautical Approach (IRE) 11-2 (11-2) Mid-division, headway 6th, ridden to chase leaders 4 out, held from 2 out, 6th of 18, 32l behind Farmers Cross (11-2) at Chepstow 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Apr.
Parkview Love (USA) 16-1 (11-4) In touch, chased leader 4 out, led 3 out, headed soon after, weakened approaching last, 5th of 13, 26l behind Circus Rose (11-2) at Fakenham 2m nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Nov.
Blossom King (FR) 100-1 (10-8) Mistakes 3rd, soon tailed off, 5th of 13, well behind Golan Way (11-0) at Stratford 2m nov hdl (3) gd in May '08.
All Three Fables 33-1 (10-5) Held up mid-division, weakened before 3 out, 10th of 17, 35l behind Quwetwo (10-12) at Doncaster 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Raise Again (IRE) 11-1 (11-5) Mid-division, headway from 3 out, ridden and challenged 2 out, every chance last, no extra flat, 5th of 16, 6l behind Boogie Dancer (10-13) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd.
Weststern (GER) 7-2fav (10-9) Held up towards rear, headway 3 out, challenged after 2 out, led soon after last, driven out, won at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Apr beating Rhinestone Ruby (11-2) by 1/2l, 14 ran.
Robbmaa (FR) 80-1 (10-10) Always in rear, 13th of 14, 41l behind Segal (11-3) at Hereford 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Apr.
It's My Day (IRE) 100-1 (10-7) Went left 3rd, always towards rear, 17th of 18, well behind You're The Top (11-5) at Kempton 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Apr.
Bid Art (IRE) 40-1 (10-4) Never better than mid-division, 14th of 18, 44l behind Lepido (11-2) at Wincanton 2m nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf in Apr.
Tutor (IRE) 16-1 (10-3) Held up, jumped left throughout, ridden 3 out, headway on inside approaching 2 out, soon ridden, weakened last, 8th of 16, 10l behind Boogie Dancer (10-13) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd.
Ophistrolie (IRE) 50-1 (10-5) Towards rear, ridden after 6th, went 4th 3 out, one pace, 4th of 11, 11l behind Cape Greko (11-5) at Fontwell 2m 2f nh nov hdl (4) gf in Sep '07.