led, headed approaching 2 out, no extra and lost 2nd near finish
held up in touch, ridden approaching last, kept on to take 2nd towards finish, no chance with winner
tracked leader, led approaching 2 out, stayed on well
in rear and pulled hard, weakened 3 out
tracked leaders, hit 3rd, ridden and lost place approaching 2 out
held up and keen, tracked leaders after 4th, behind from 4 out
Nonrunner
GENARI looks to have the leading claim to this seller, with Novikov and Calzaghe likely to get very competitive. The last-named went up 31lbs for completing a hat-trick in soft ground handicap hurdles, but was thrashed from this mark when that run came to an abrupt end at Cheltenham. This is clearly going to feel easier now dropped into a seller, and despite being wrong at the weights he is respected. Novikov will relish the soft ground and went well in a Ludlow claiming hurdle last time. He is open to improvement over hurdles and a win for David Evans' gelding would be no surprise. Bewery Man is returned to the smaller obstacles after showing little over fences at Sedgefield and there is no question that he should be capable of getting involved, although the trip may be a bit short for him and he won't have great memories of his previous trip here. Uncle Bertie is worth a market check and is not beyond improvement given connections, but preference is for Genari. The six-year-old put up a decent effort when third in a claimer at Ludlow last time and acts with cut. This trip looks ideal, and he is a consistent performer, so he should be able to give his running and we hope that it will be good enough.
Bewery Man (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Held up, driven and outpaced 3 out, never on terms, 6th of 9, 14l behind Sheriff Hutton (11-0) at Sedgefield 2m 4f beg chase (4) gd in May.
Genari 6-4fav (10-10) Held up towards rear, headway to chase leaders 4 out, chased winner going well after 3 out, ridden and around 2 lengths down when blundered last, lost 2nd flat, 3rd of 13, 5l behind Empty Sky (11-1) at Ludlow 2m nov clm hdl (4) sft.
Novikov 13-2 (10-11) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, chased leading pair before next, kept on into 2nd flat, no chance with winner, 2nd of 13, 2 1/2l behind Empty Sky (11-1) at Ludlow 2m nov clm hdl (4) sft.
Pearl Dealer (IRE) 8-1 (9-1) Slowly into stride and behind, took keen hold to go prominent after 2f, effort over 2f out, no extra final furlong, 5th of 8, 7l behind Mudhish (9-4) at Southwell 1m hcap (6) fbs in Feb (flat).
Uncle Bertie 18-1 (10-7) Held up in mid-division and keen, mistake 1st, headway after 3 out, no impression, 4th of 12, 28l behind Thumbs Up (11-7) at Bangor 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Tara's Attraction 25-1 (10-12) Held up, weakened over 4f out, 9th of 12, well behind Banjaxed Girl (10-12) at Wetherby 2m N H flat (5) sft in Nov.
Calzaghe (IRE) 6-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, mistake 3 out, headway approaching 2 out, ridden and beaten soon after, 7th of 11, 22l behind Spirit River (11-12) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft.
Nous Voila (FR) 50-1 (10-12) Prominent, slow 3rd, led after next, headed 5th, slow next, weakened before 2 out, 5th of 8, 47l behind Isle de Maurice (10-5) at Fontwell 2m 4f sell hdl (3) sft.
Fleetwood Flame 66-1 (8-3) Keen, tracked leaders, lost place from over 4f out, last of 12, 21l behind Patavium (8-6) at Catterick 1m 4f app hcp (6) sft in Jul (flat).
