tracked leaders, chased winner from 2 out, one pace
held up in rear, some headway when hit 5th, soon weakened
held up mid-division, weakened from 5th
disputed lead until after 2nd, chased winner until 2 out, mistake last when weakening
disputed lead until after 2nd, not fluent next, ridden 4th, soon weakened
mid-division, weakened 4th
held up, outpaced after 3rd
held up, headway 5th, took 2nd after last, no impression
chased leaders, led after 2nd, mistake last, soon clear
Nonrunner
Sendani, Shore Thing and Night Cru look the three to concentrate on here and the vote is given to SENDANI. The selection was far from disgraced in a handicap hurdle at Market Rasen last time in a better race than this. He has trip and ground to suit here and with Harry Skelton taking a valuable 5lbs off his back he should go close. Shore Thing is a course and distance winner but he was flattered by his winning margin last time as his chief rival fell when challenging at the last. The handicapper has clobbered him for that success and he could be vulnerable today. Night Cru was a fair sort on the flat and his hurdling let him down on his debut in this sphere at Sandown last time. He is sure to come on for the experience and he is respected. Free World has shown promise in bumpers and he is sure to have been well-schooled for this his hurdling bow. Sendani looks the one to be with here and he is our pick.
Sendani (FR) 11-2jt-fav (10-7) In touch, effort before 2 out, ridden and kept on same pace approaching last, no impression, 4th of 16, 6l behind Katies Tuitor (11-12) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-145 (2) gd in Sept.
Ballabrook (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Always behind, weakened from 4th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Striking Article (10-12) at Wetherby 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Dec, 17 ran.
Beware The Digger 11-1 (10-5) Raced keenly, led to over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, tailed off, 10th of 11, 49l behind Jayne's Crusader (11-3) at Towcester 2m mdn nhf (5) gd in Apr.
Free World (IRE) 11-2 (11-0) Prominent, led 5f out, headed 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 4th of 11, 10l behind Seven Is My Number (11-4) at Ascot 2m nhf (3) gd in Nov.
Jack London 200-1 (10-12) Took keen hold, led to 2nd, led 3rd to 5th, not fluent 6th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by William Butler (10-7) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gs in Sept, 13 ran.
Killfinnan Castle (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Always behind, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Albinus (10-5) at Doncaster 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Jan, 18 ran.
Mac Halen (IRE) 25-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, led after 4f, headed 7f out, weakened over 3f out, 9th of 14, 32l behind Front Of House (11-8) at Ludlow 2m nhf (5) gd in Apr.
Night Cru 12-1 (11-2) Not fluent 1st, always mid-division, 8th of 14, 22l behind Punchestowns (11-2) at Sandown 2m nov hdl (3) gd in Feb.
Zed Candy (FR) 3-1fav (10-11) Raced keenly, tracked leaders, chased winner after 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, not quicken flat, 3rd of 13, 2l behind Sky Calling (10-7) at Southwell 2m mdn hdl (5) gf in Aug.
Shore Thing (IRE) 10-11fav (11-5) In touch, headway approaching 2 out, led last, challenged when soon left clear, won at Market Rasen 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gd in Aug beating Parkview Love (10-5) by 10l, 8 ran.
A Perfect Gent (IRE) 5-1 (10-7) Took keen hold, held up in rear, ridden approaching 6th, soon no chance, tailed off, 8th of 10, well behind Darfen (10-12) at Stratford 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Jul.
