pressed leader to 3rd, bumped next, not fluent 6th, lost place 8th, struggling when mistake next, no impression after
prominent, took keen hold, went 2nd 3rd, jumped right next 2, led after 6th, not fluent 7th, headed after 3 out, 3rd and beaten when pulled up between last 2
towards rear, ridden 7th, effort when mistake 9th, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out
led until after 6th, not fluent 8th, weakened 2 out
mid-division, headway 3rd, weakened approaching 2 out, mistake last
took keen hold in rear, not fluent 2nd, lost touch after 6th, pulled up before next
always in rear, tailed off
chased leaders, not fluent 6th, struggling 8th, blundered next, pulled up before 3 out
held up in rear, raced keenly, headway 9th, led after 2 out, ridden clear from last, eased near finish
chased leaders, not fluent 1st, weakened 3 out, mistake last
mid-division, headway 8th, challenged 3 out, soon led, headed after 2 out, no extra flat
A number of professional losers in this race and LOOM is picked with Silver Sister and Golden Feather offered as alternatives. The selection is tried today in blinkers for the first time. Admittedly the handicap hurdle that he won here last year was moderate but the handicapper's reaction of a 20lb rise seemed harsh in the extreme. Silver Sister is a regular in plating events. She seems at her best if granted the luxury of a soft lead. Golden Feather is dropped into plating company having made plenty of progress when trained by Evan Williams. Give A Lot would have claims on some of her runs in bumpers but she has only beaten one horse home since switched over to hurdles. English Jim has it to do on figures and may find this trip to be on the short side. Aston Lad isn't the easiest of horses to keep sound but the former Mickey Hammond inmate is not devoid of ability and it is certainly interesting that new connections have reached for the headgear. Devito is exposed but should run his usual race. A bad race where Loom is put forward to the most minimum of stakes levels.
Anglican (FR) 25-1 (10-4) Prominent, ridden and weakened approaching 6th, 10th of 15, well behind Magnifico (11-2) at Exeter 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) hvy.
Aston Lad 4-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, pushed along and reminders after 5th, ridden and headway approaching 2 out, disputing 2nd when jumped badly left, baulked rival horse last one pace flat, 3rd of 6, 4l behind Earlsfield Raider (10-7) at Fontwell 2m 2f sell hdl (5) gs.
Clarby Express (IRE) 25-1 (10-7) Held up towards rear, early reminders, behind when pulled up after 4 out, in a race won by Champtho (11-0) at Plumpton 2m mdn hdl (4) gd, 11 ran.
Devito (FR) 25-1 (10-12) Held up, never dangerous, behind when pulled up 4 out, in a race won by Deadline (11-7) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Sep, 16 ran.
English Jim (IRE) 14-1 (9-11) In touch, lost place before 9th, soon struggling in rear, eased and no chance after 3 out, last of 10, well behind Will If I Want (11-12) at Fontwell 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Apr.
Fear Anti (IRE) 10-1 (11-5) last of 8, well behind Haka Dancer (11-9) at Listowel 2m mdn hdl fm in Jun '08.
Golden Feather 40-1 (11-3) Raced in last pair, pushed along after 11th, well beaten next, 7th of 9, 49l behind Tempsford (10-12) at Bangor 3m hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Oct.
Joe Twist (IRE) 25-1 (12-5) Outpcd frm 12, 4th of 7, 43l behind Parzando (12-5) at Siddington 3m ptp in Mar.
Loom (GER) 20-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders and keen, led after 4th, mistake next, headed approaching 4 out, soon weakened, 7th of 11, 42l behind Command Marshal (10-2) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Oct.
Give A Lot 100-1 (10-10) Chased leaders, ridden along 5th, weakened rapidly, soon tailed off, 13th of 14, well behind Quivvy Bridge (11-3) at Stratford 2m 3f mrs nov hdl (4) gf in Aug.
Silver Sister 5-1 (10-0) Led from 1st, headed 4 out, ridden and weakened approaching last, 6th of 11, 14l behind Bundle Up (10-0) at Chepstow 2m clm hdl (5) sft.
Nazabel Du Lion (FR) 100-1 (10-5) Led to 1st, tracked leader, lost place 3 out, 9th of 11, 24l behind Bundle Up (10-0) at Chepstow 2m clm hdl (5) sft.
