held up mid-division, headway after 7th, chased leader 8th, ridden to lead 2 out, driven out
mid-divisiion, ridden and headway after 9th, weakened 2 out
held up, ridden 3 out, no impression
always towards rear, no impression
mid-division, weakened 9th, soon behind
held up, headway 9th, stayed on one pace from 2 out
mid-division, ridden and headway 9th, one pace after
mid-division, ridden after 3 out, stayed on one pace from 2 out
led, ridden and headed 3 out, soon weakened
towards rear, ridden 3 out, stayed on one pace from 2 out
chased leader, led 3 out, ridden and headed 2 out, every chance when wandered after last, not reached winner
prominent, ridden 9th, weakened 3 out
in touch, ridden 3 out, stayed on to go 3rd approaching last
never better than mid-division
chased leader, ridden 9th, kept on from 2 out
It is interesting that connections chose to return to hurdles here with Not Left Yet and he can defy top weight to take this handicap contest from City Breeze and Master Wells. David Pipe-trained Not Left Yet has managed to pick up one hurdle and one chase so far, but he was an improver over fences last year until tipping up when still going well in the Kim Muir when last seen out. If he can run to his chase mark now back over hurdles then he is arguably well handicapped despite top weight and a chance is taken on him. Master Wells is very interesting. He should be much better for a run six weeks or so ago and has some decent enough flat form over staying trips to make him competitive here. City Breeze stays well and handles most ground with good in the description, though the handicapper looks to have control at the moment, while Boyastara is one of two from the champion trainer's yard, though he has looking nothing special so far and perhaps will fare better over fences. However, Not Left Yet is the class horse here and can score.
Not Left Yet (IRE) 16-1 (11-11) Held up in rear, mistake 9th, blundered 18th, some headway when blundered and fell 3 out in race won by Butler's Cabin (12-0) at Cheltenham 4m 1f nov amt chs (2) gs in Mar, 19 ran.
Drumbeater (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Prominent, every chance 3 out, soon ridden and weakened, 6th of 13, 6l behind Jackie Boy (10-3) at Huntingdon 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Oct.
Orion Express 11-1 (11-5) Held up last, not fluent 6th and 7th, headway next, led on bit approaching 3 out, ridden after 2 out, went left last, soon headed, no extra, 2nd of 7, 1 1/2l behind The Crazy Parson (9-11) at Exeter 3m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in Nov.
Devito (FR) 25-1 (11-1) Led 1st, remained prominent, effort 3 out, weakened next, 6th of 11, 15l behind Esprit de Corps (11-10) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Nov.
Boyastara (FR) 14-1 (10-11) Mistakes in rear, headway from 2 out, staying on at one pace when hit last, 4th of 14, 9l behind Lothian Falcon (11-2) at Cheltenham 3m nov hcp hdl (3) gd in Apr.
Earth Man (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Always behind, tailed off, 9th of 13, well behind Mickmacmagoole (10-9) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gf in Nov.
Give Me A Dime (IRE) 20-1 (10-9) Led after 1st, headed 3rd, remained prominent, hit next, weakened 2 out, 7th of 11, 17l behind Esprit de Corps (11-10) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Nov.
Master Wells (IRE) 4-1 (10-12) Prominent, ridden 3 out, 3rd and held when mistake 2 out, lost 3rd close home, 4th of 9, 13l behind Warsaw Pact (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gf in Oct.
City Breeze (IRE) 17-2 (11-1) Towards rear, headway 7th, chased winner from 2 out, no impression, 2nd of 13, well behind Iwillrememberyou (10-5) at Towcester 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs.
Marronnier (IRE) 28-1 (10-6) Mid-division, headway 6th, in touch when mistakes 9th, soon ridden, weakened approaching 3 out, 10th of 18, 43l behind Risk Runner (11-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Nov.
Chico Time (IRE) 4-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, hampered after 3 out, chased leader before 2 out, driven flat and led close home, won at Folkestone 3m 1f mrs beg chs (4) gs beating Colline de Fleurs (11-0) by a hd, 5 ran.
Magical Wonderland 4-1 (11-6) Prominent until fell at the 4th in race won by Double Magnum (10-4) at Folkestone 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) hvy, 6 ran.
Rockys Girl 10-1 (9-11) Mid-division, headway 7th, never on terms, 5th of 16, 16l behind Blue Splash (11-3) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Nov.
Meet The Legend (IRE) 12-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders, hit 5th, led 7th, ridden approaching 2 out, headed last, not pace of winner, 3rd of 13, 4 1/2l behind Mickmacmagoole (10-9) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gf in Nov.
Clifden Boy (IRE) 9-1 (10-13) Mid-division, ridden approaching 7th, weakened 3 out, 5th of 10, 32l behind See More Jock (10-11) at Wincanton 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft.
Ice Crystal 50-1 (10-8) Held up in rear, tailed off 7th and pulled up 2 out in race won by Blue Splash (11-3) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Nov, 16 ran.
