led to 2nd, weakened from 4 out, pulled up before 2 out
chased leaders, chased winner approaching last, no impression
stumbled badly and unseated rider 3rd
towards rear, weakened from 3 out, tailed off
tracked leader until approaching and blundered last, soon weakened
held up, weakened approaching 2 out
chased leaders, led approaching 2 out, soon clear
always behind, tailed off from 3 out
tracked leader, led 2nd, headed approaching 2 out, soon weakened
held up when fell 2nd
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
If ACKNOWLEDGEMENT is able to reproduce his Bangor running from Wednesday then he looks the one to be on in this hands and heels contest, while Etoile D'Or looks the main danger. The selection had failed to complete in successive outings before bolting up a couple of days ago, when he went off as short as 7/2. This minimum trip and soft ground is clearly where he is most at home, so if he can produce the same effort after such a short break then he should be capable of defying a penalty. In opposition, Etoile D'Or comes here in good form for Tim Vaughan, who has declared a trio of runners. This five-year-old mare is raised 8lbs for a hard-fought Hexham success last time and has trip and conditions to suit, so should go close again. Blinded Bythelight is on the same mark as when a beaten joint favourite at Market Rasen, but he loves to get his toe in and should again be competitive, while both Heroes and Gavroche Gaugain should be monitored in the market for any stable confidence. Acknowledgement is the one for us.
Suragot (FR) 100-1 (10-7) Chased leaders, mistake 5th, jumped slowly next, weakened well before 3 out, 4th of 6, 43l behind Shore Thing (11-12) at Ludlow 2m Claiming Hurdle (4-7) (4) sft in Nov.
Richard The Third 11-1 (10-9) Led to 2nd, remained prominent, weakened after 3 out, disputing poor 5th when fell last, in a race won by Applaude (10-12) at Leicester 2m sll hdl (5) gf in Nov, 8 ran.
Gavroche Gaugain (FR) 13-2 (10-6) Tracked leaders, weakened approaching 2 out, 6th of 12, 26l behind Olifan d'Oudairies (11-2) at Ayr 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft.
Jolly Cooper 100-1 (10-8) Held up, pushed along after 4th, tailed off when pulled up before next, in a race won by Bathwick Quest (11-1) at Towcester 2m mrs nov hdl (3yo+) (4) hvy in Nov, 10 ran.
Etoile d'Or (IRE) 7-4fav (10-2) Mistake 1st, made all and clear to before 2 out, ridden and held on flat, won at Hexham 2m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs in Nov beating Cumbrian Knight (10-9) by 3/4l, 15 ran.
Gobejolly 3-1 (10-3) Held up towards rear, headway 4 out, chased leaders next, hit 2 out, weakened after last, 4th of 11, 31l behind Command Marshal (10-2) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Oct.
Romney Marsh 20-1 (10-6) Led until 3rd, remained prominent until weakened approaching 3 out, 11th of 13, 44l behind Calzaghe (11-8) at Kempton 2m Conditional Novice Handicap Hurdle (0-100) (3yo+) (4) gs in Nov.
Colinette 16-1 (10-9) Prominent, weakened after 3 out, 7th of 13, 16l behind All Roads Lead (11-9) at Southwell 3m nov hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Apr.
Devils Delight (IRE) 9-2fav (11-0) Tracked leader, led approaching 5th, headed 3 out, weakened after next, 6th of 14, 19l behind Rosie's Glory (11-0) at Cartmel 2m 1f sell hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gd in May '08.
Freila Shawley (IRE) 25-1 (9-7) In touch, lost place 2 out, soon weakened, 10th of 14, 43l behind Manjam (10-10) at Hereford 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in Nov.
Heroes 9-4fav (11-3) Mid-division, raced keenly, ridden after 3 out, weakened after 2 out, 6th of 11, 24l behind Peaceful Means (11-5) at Cartmel 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-90 (4) gd in Jul.
Acknowledgement 7-2 (10-0) Held up mid-division, led approaching 2 out, clear approaching last, easily, won at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl (4) sft beating Heredias (10-10) by 17l, 13 ran.
Blinded Bythelight (IRE) 7-2fav (10-13) Behind, headway to join leaders 3 out, ridden and outpaced next, no extra approaching last, 4th of 8, 4l behind Wednesdays Boy (11-4) at Market Rasen 2m 1f cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft.
Nightboat To Cairo (IRE) 66-1 (10-8) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened from 2 out, 8th of 9, 21l behind Sacrilege (11-12) at Leicester 2m sll hdl (5) gd in Nov.