held up in mid-division, headway 7th, weakened approaching 2 out
mid-division, headway after 6th, went 2nd next until before 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out
tracked leaders, not fluent 6th, weakened 3 out, tailed off
took keen hold, led when not fluent 2nd, hit 3rd, not fluent 4th or 5th, headed next, weakened 7th, tailed off
held up in rear, mistake 5th, headway after 7th, went 2nd 3 out until before next, soon weakened
prominent, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened next
held up in rear, slightly hampered 2nd, headway from 7th, led going well approaching 2 out, soon clear, easily
mid-division, jumped right 5th, headway approaching next, jumped slowly and lost place 7th, tailed off
prominent, lost place 4th, hit 6th, no chance approaching 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
held up, fell 2nd
led until before 2nd where not fluent, prominent, mistake 5th, led next, headed approaching 2 out, weakened before next
held up towards rear, mistake 5th, headway approaching 7th, weakened before 2 out
held up, mistake 3rd, ridden and weakening when mistake 6th, tailed off
Drussell races off the same mark as when runner-up at Huntingdon eight days ago. He looks likely to be thereabouts again here while it's difficult to fault the consistency of Black Mac, who has been placed in four of his last six starts but gets little respite from the handicapper as a result. The ground may be too soft for Set In Her Ways but Torran Sound was third over C&D on good to soft ground last time and could figure. The booking of Paddy Brennan for BENDANT catches the eye and Debra Hamer's gelding, well backed when third on soft going at Fontwell last month, can recoup losses here.
Torran Sound 20-1 (10-10) Mid-division, outpaced after 4 out, chased leaders under pressure next, soon ridden, stayed on flat, 3rd of 17, 2l behind Cocacobana (10-6) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Nov.
Drussell (IRE) 9-1 (11-0) Mid-division in touch, went 2nd 3 out, ridden next, effort and every chance between last 2, kept on same pace approaching last, no impression with winner flat, 2nd of 11, 6l behind Thehillofuisneach (11-3) at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs.
Pearl (IRE) 28-1 (11-1) Held up in touch in rear on outside, headway after 5th, ridden after 8th, soon weakened, 6th of 7, 38l behind Copsehill Girl (11-4) at Ffos Las 2m 6f mrs hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Feb.
Aperitif 25-1 (11-7) Led, clear after 4th, misake 4 out, reduced lead next, headed approaching 2 out, hit 2 out, weakened flat, 4th of 17, 9l behind Mac Beattie (11-3) at Warwick 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gd in Nov.
Decent Lord (IRE) 9-4fav (11-4) Mid-division on inside, headway under pressure 3 out, ridden approaching next, never on terms, 6th of 13, 44l behind Shoudhavenownbettr (10-2) at Hereford 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Apr.
Set In Her Ways (IRE) 2-1fav (11-7) Tracked leader until after 3rd, not fluent and pushed along from 6th, driven after 2 out, weakened last, 7th of 8, 15l behind Brunton Blue (10-8) at Folkestone 2m 1f Mares Handicap Hurdle (0-100) (4yo+) (5) gd in Nov.
Black Mac (IRE) 6-4fav (10-11) Took keen hold, led, ridden and headed approaching last, one pace, 2nd of 6, 6l behind Promised Wings (11-6) at Folkestone 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft.
Sea Cliff (IRE) 66-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, weakened before 3 out, 8th of 13, well behind General Eliott (11-4) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Jul.
Auberge (IRE) 14-1 (10-8) Mid-division, ridden and headway 8th, disputing 2nd 2 out, no extra flat, 3rd of 17, 9l behind Only Witness (11-2) at Worcester 3m hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Sep.
Spirit Calling (IRE) 6-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders, blundered 3rd, in touch on outside when fell 8th, in a race won by French Ties (11-4) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp 0-100 (5) gs in Nov, 11 ran.
Bendant 5-4fav (11-6) Tracked leaders in 3rd, mistake 9th, went 2nd from 11th, in 3rd when blundered 3 out, regained 2nd and hit last, kept on and no chance with winner, 3rd of 8, 15l behind High Oscar (11-5) at Fontwell 2m 6f cnd hcp chs (0-95) (5) sft in Nov.
Desert Nova (IRE) 14-1 (10-10) Held up behind, headway and in touch on outside after 4th until stumbled and fell before 4 out, in a race won by Second Brook (11-1) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl (5) gs in Nov, 8 ran.
Liscahill Karella (IRE) 16-1 (11-2) Never better than mid-division, 9th of 17, 42l behind St Killian's Run (11-10) at Thurles 2m hcp hdl 80-95 in Nov.
