tracked leaders, ridden after 3 out, one pace from next
took keen hold, mid-division, headway 4th, led after 3 out, ridden after last, no extra when headed final 75 yards
mid-division, mistake 5th, soon struggling
mid-division, headway 6th, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened
held up, some headway 5th, weakened after next
held up, ridden 3 out, no impression when hit 2 out
mid-division until weakened 5th, tailed off when pulled after 3 out
in touch, ridden after 3 out, soon one pace
always prominent, led 5th until after 3 out, switched left approaching last, rallied flat, led final 75 yards
tracked leaders, mistake 2nd, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened
behind when pulled up before 6th
mid-division, headway 5th, soon ridden, kept on same pace from 2 out
soon led, headed 5th, close up, ridden approaching 2 out, soon one pace
This is another tricky contest and a narrow vote is given to Forthright, with Hawk Arrow, Nawaadi and South O'The Border three newcomers worth checking out in the market. The selection hasn't raced over hurdles for eighteeen months but did show plenty of promise. However he has been improving on the level and earned a rating of eighty. If transfering that form to this game he will be hard to beat. Hawk Arrow was quite lightly raced on the flat but did show plenty of ability and is the type Gary Moore does well with. The Phillip Hobbs trained Nawaadi ran well in some decent maidens on the flat and will know doubt know what is required first time out over hurdles. South O'The Border was just beaten in a Salisbury claimer last time out on the flat and is from a yard going well. Machhapchhare is yet another debutante to be wary of, but Forthright could be back to his best and is worth a chance in difficult race.
Early Wings (GER) (10-1) 2nd of 9, 5l behind Zent (10-10) at Baden-Baden 2m lst hdl sft Aug.
Forthright 2-1 (10-10) Tracked leaders, mistake 1st, not much room and switched left after 3 out, ridden to lead last, hard ridden flat, headed towards finish, 2nd of 8, 1l behind Itsmyboy (11-6) at Aintree 2m nov hdl (D) gd in May '05.
Go Johnny (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, pushed along over 5f out, weakened over 4f out, 8th of 17, 25l behind Chaim (10-11) at Uttoxeter 2m nhf (6) hvy in Mar.
Hawk Arrow (IRE) 33-1 (9-2) Tracked leaders, ridden over 4f out, soon lost place, 10th of 14, 42l behind At The Money (8-10) at Warwick 1m 7f hcp 0-75 (5) sft in Oct (Flat).
Major Faux Pas (IRE) 18-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 5th, jumped left and weakened 3 out, 4th of 10, 26l behind Hawridge Star (11-0) at Chepstow 2m mdn hdl (5) gs in Nov.
Petit Lord (FR) 7-2 (10-12) Chased leaders, led approaching 5th, headed and mistake 3 out, faded, 7th of 17, 27l behind Only For Sue (10-9) at Exeter 2m 1f nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Remembering 8-1 (12-0) pulled up at the 8th in race won by Shiela's Legacy (11-7) at Garnons 2m 4f ptp gd in Mar, 10 ran.
Seize 25-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, ridden and every chance approaching 2 out, weakened flat, 4th of 17, 5l behind Noble Raider (10-12) at Warwick 2m nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
South O'The Border 13-8fav (9-10) Tracked leaders, challenged from 2f out, chased winner and stayed on strongly final furlong, just failed, 2nd of 13, shd behind Looker (8-0) at Salisbury 1m 2f clm (5) gs in Sept (Flat).
Sawpit Sunset 8-1 (10-4) Mid-division, headway over 6f out, every chance 3f out, weakened 2f out, 4th of 10, 19l behind Seismic Shift (11-2) at Ludlow 2m mdn nhf (5) gd in Nov.
Kalantera (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Held up in touch, stayed on same pace from 3 out, 4th of 9, 20l behind Freeze The Flame (11-6) at Cheltenham 2m 3yo nov hdl (3) gd in Oct.
Machhapuchhare 11-2 (8-11) Slowly into stride, towards rear, ridden and headway over 2f out, chased winner inside final furlong, stayed on, 2nd of 14, 1l behind Silver Mont (8-11) at Southwell 1m banded stk (7) fbs in Oct (Flat).
Nawaadi 9-2 (9-3) In touch, driven over 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 12, 4 1/2l behind Emirates Line (9-3) at Nottingham 1m 2f 3yo mdn (5) sft in Oct (Flat).
Shropshirelass 25-1 (8-5) Behind, ridden over 2f out, never in contention, 9th of 11, 7l behind Picador (8-9) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcap (6) pol (Flat).