tracked leaders, not fluent 1st, ridden after 7th, 2 lengths 2nd when blundered 2 out, no chance with winner after, one pace
led, jumped right and mistake 1st, headed 7th, one pace after 2 out
held up in rear, stumbled 1st, not fluent 3rd or 5th, behind 7th, some headway from 2 out, no impression
in touch, ridden and lost place before 7th, tailed off
held up in rear, not fluent 6th, headway 7th, not clear run soon after, close 4th when hampered and fell 2 out
held up, headway on inside when blundered 6th, lost place and beaten after 7th, weakened 7th, pulled up before 2 out
tracked leader, led 7th, clear after 2 out, easily
tracked leaders, not clear run apprroaching 2 out, one pace
held up, ridden 5th, weakened 6th, tailed off
A tricky-looking handicap as a couple of these could be open to further improvement. The consistent novice Hawkhill and Hi Note, just caught by Red Not Blue over further at Uttoxeter last time and in good form on the Flat, have fitness on their side. Adelar should reverse Newton Abbot running with Hawkhill on 13lb better terms while Nafaath and Great Value are also interesting at the weights. AGENT ARCHIE was pitched in at the deep end at Cheltenham and Aintree last season after winning his first two starts over hurdles at Ludlow and Newcastle. He'll be suited by this sharp track and could outclass these though Trip The Light should be worth following again this winter on the minor tracks.
Hawkhill (IRE) 15-8 (11-9) Raced keenly, made all, clear 5th until pushed along before 2 out, hung left before last, ridden and kept on well flat, won at Newton Abbot 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd beating Ugo (11-5) by 2l, 5 ran.
Agent Archie (USA) 12-1 (11-4) Tracked leader, led from 2nd, headed before 5th, weakened before 3 out, 10th of 12, well behind Darlan (11-4) at Aintree 2m nov hdl G2 (1) gd in Apr.
Siberian Tiger (IRE) 5-4 (11-5) Tracked leader until 4th, not fluent 10th, went 2nd again after 13th, led approaching 3 out, wandered after next, driven out, won at Ffos Las 2m 5f nov chs (4) gd in Jun '11 beating Strong Soul (10-12) by 3l, 4 ran.
Nafaath (IRE) 9-4 (10-9) Led, hit rail and headed briefly after 6th, clear with winner 9th, headed 12th, soon outpaced, lost 2nd at bypassed 2 out, no extra, lost moderate 3rd near finish, 4th of 8, 25l behind Majestic Mayhem (11-0) at Sedgefield 2m 4f beg chase (4) gd in May '11.
Great Value (IRE) 33-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, headway after 3 out, went 3rd before 2 out, chased winner run-in, no impression, 2nd of 11, 5l behind Greyfriars Drummer (11-4) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Aug.
West Brit (IRE) 66-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, lost place before 2 out, soon weakened, pulled up before last, in a race won by Countrywide Flame (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 1f 4yo hdl Grade 1 (1) gd in Mar, 20 ran.
Hi Note 9-2 (10-1) Tracked leader, led 5th, headed before next, led again approaching 7th, driven and joined last, soon headed, held towards finish, 2nd of 11, 1 1/4l behind Red Not Blue (11-9) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-140 (3) gd.
Adelar (GER) 6-4fav (11-5) Tracked leading pair, went 2nd approaching 5th, driven after 2 out, slightly hampered before last, dropped to 3rd and one pace from last, 3rd of 5, 2 1/2l behind Hawkhill (11-9) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd.
Trip The Light 12-1 (11-7) Held up mid-division, blundered 2 out, soon weakened, 11th of 12, 36l behind Bathwick Man (11-2) at Towcester 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf in May.
