held up, badly hampered and unseated rider 7th
tracked leaders, weakened approaching 3 out
held up, mid-division, weakened from 7th, pulled up 3 out
led, fell 7th
in touch, weakened approaching 3 out
chased winner from 3 out, no impression
held up towards rear, tailed off from 8th
tracked leader, left in lead 7th, clear from 2 out (no time taken)
towards rear, weakened from 7th, pulled up before 2 out
tracked leaders, pushed along approaching 7th, soon weakened, pulled up before last
tracked leader, brought down 7th
held up, effort from 8th, never dangerous
held up, chased leaders 4 out, weakened approaching last
Predictive is proving tricky to get a win out of and we will take a chance on BESCOT SPRINGS to score on his hurdles debut, while Samurai Way can also improve. The Philip Hobbs-trained selection was runner-up in a Haydock soft ground bumper last month and the handler has now decided to pitch him straight into this sphere. He will be well prepared and should again relish the cut underfoot here, so we will chance him to come good this time. Samurai Way has been very useful on the flat, being rated in the 90s, and Venetia Williams' charge showed the first signs of ability over hurdles when runner-up on heavy ground at Lingfield last time. Kept to a similar trip today he should be capable of having a big say. Donald McCain remains in good form and he saddles Predictive in this. Soft ground suits this six-year-old who has finished runner-up on four occasions at this track, but is vulnerable to anything with a bit of toe at the finish. Promising Anshan will need to improve on his only public outing under rules to date, and the soft ground should suit Charlie Mann's charge, so he is respected, while both Lord Tomnoddy and Conington will need a check in the market and have claims on the best they have shown so far. Bescot Springs is proferred as the selection.
Bescot Springs (IRE) 10-1 (10-11) Held up in touch, ridden approaching 3 out, chased winner over 1f out, one pace, 2nd of 9, 3l behind Peddlers Cross (11-0) at Haydock 2m NH flat (4) sft in Nov.
Good To Be Grey 100-1 (11-0) Always in rear, behind from 10th, blundered 3 out, soon pulled up, in a race won by Cullahill (11-0) at Hereford 3m 2f mdn hdl (4) gd in May '08, 16 ran.
Harellie (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Always in rear, tailed off, 13th of 16, well behind Black Apache (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Nov.
Heroic Lad 100-1 (10-5) Led in start, mistake 1st, always well behind, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Moment Present (11-1) at Huntingdon 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in May, 11 ran.
Ironical (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) In touch until dropped to rear tamely approaching 6th, pulled up 4 out, in a race won by Sergeant Harper (11-3) at Chepstow 3m NH mdn hdl (4) gs in Mar, 15 ran.
Lord Tomnoddy 3-1 (11-0) Took keen hold towards rear, went moderate 4th under pressure after 2 out, weakened well before last, 6th of 15, 46l behind Rear Gunner (10-10) at Folkestone 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gs in Feb.
Ocheekobee (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, ridden after 6th, soon struggling, tailed off, 7th of 11, well behind Silver Kate (10-5) at Chepstow 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Nov.
Predictive (FR) 7-4 (10-12) Always prominent led approaching 3f out, headed and not fluent last, stayed on same pace flat, 2nd of 10, 4l behind Chamirey (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Nov.
Promising Anshan (IRE) 7-2fav (10-12) Held up in mid-division, steady headway from 3 out, went 2nd before 2 out, never any chance with winner, 2nd of 10, 6l behind Persian Gates (10-12) at Southwell 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gf in Nov.
Safeguard (IRE) 100-1 (11-0) Mid-division, reminders after 5th, awkward on bend before 6th, soon behind, tailed off, 9th of 14, well behind Baren De Doc (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gd in Jun.
Samurai Way 5-1 (10-12) Tracked leading trio, went 2nd approaching 6th, challenged 2 out, well there and not fluent last, stayed on to chase winner flat, always held, 2nd of 8, 2l behind Stoney's Treasure (10-12) at Lingfield 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Nov.
What's Occurrin 100-1 (10-12) Held up and keen, weakened from 4 out, 9th of 14, well behind Bobby Ewing (10-12) at Doncaster 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gd.
Whiteabbey (IRE) 5-2 (10-12) Led, not fluent and headed 3 out, soon weakened, 4th of 5, 21l behind Alvarado (11-5) at Carlisle 2m 4f NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) hvy in Nov.
Conington 20-1 (10-10) Held up towards rear, headway when not fluent 7th, every chance 3 out, weakened 2 out, 4th of 16, 14l behind Love of Tara (11-2) at Towcester 2m 5f mrs nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Money Finder 16-1 (10-7) Chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened, 5th of 6, 11l behind Basford Bob (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m NH flat (6) hvy in Nov.
