made all, pushed clear approaching 2 out, hit last, lost action and eased flat
chased leaders, hit 6th and next, ridden after 3 out, weakened approaching last
chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, hit next, kept on same pace
held up in touch, headway 7th, ridden after 3 out, stayed on to go 2nd approaching last, no chance with winner
in touch, brief effort after 6th, weakened 3 out, tailed off
hit 1st, held up in touch, weakened after 3 out
with winner, ridden after 3 out, lost 2nd approaching last, kept on same pace
Armariver, Flotta and Random Quest form the shortlist in this novices' handicap hurdle and the vote is given to Flotta. The selection goes on the ground and he was clearly in need of the run when finishing second behind No Way Back at Exeter last time. With that pipe opener under his belt he should take all the beating today. Armariver will give him the most to think about as he was a fair fourth behind Noble Request at Wincanton last time in a better race than this. He was not given the best of rides that day and if more patient tactics are employed tonight then he should be capable of getting competitive. Random Quest would have claims on a going day, but he is quirky type and he is better on more testing ground. Hill Forts Timmy is game and consistent and should prove best of the remainder, but for the winner we will return to Flotta.
Flotta Evensfav (11-10) Led until 2 out, kept on same pace, left 2nd at the last, 2nd of 6, 5l behind No Way Back (10-6) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) frm.
Armariver (FR) 5-2fav (11-2) Chased leader, ridden approaching 2 out, kept on same pace, 4th of 6, 10l behind Noble Request (11-7) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Feb.
Hill Forts Timmy 12-1 (11-0) Held up, headway 3 out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 7, 17l behind Gungadu (11-5) at Wincanton 2m 6f nh nov hdl (2) gd in Feb.
Red Moor (IRE) 15-2 (11-7) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 3rd, weakened approaching 2 out, last of 13, 30l behind Dorneys Well (10-10) at Exeter 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs.
It's The Limit (USA) 12-1 (11-0) Prominent, led after 3 out, ridden and every chance 2 out, hit last, not quicken flat, 3rd of 11, 7l behind L'oudon (11-12) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd.
Random Quest 4-1 (11-6) Raced wide, held up, good headway to chase winner from 6th, challenged under pressure from 2 out, not quicken flat, 2nd of 14, nk behind Brochrua (10-4) at N Abbot 2m 3f sll hdl (5) gf.
Barathea Blue 16-1 (10-12) Held up, headway approaching 8th, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 9th of 12, 29l behind She's Our Native (12-2) at Ludlow 2m 5f amt hcp hdl (4) gd in Jan.
