mistakes, with leader until after 3rd, stayed 2nd until 6th, weakened 9th, tailed off
held up, slightly hampered 1st, not fluent next, headway after 6th, ridden 9th, weakened 3 out, jumped right 2 out, tailed off
held up, headway 8th, not fluent next, went 2nd 3 out, led 2 out, clear approaching last, easily
held up in rear, not fluent 8th, pushed along after next, headway when not fluent 3 out, went 2nd approaching last, no chance with winner
held up, headway to go 2nd 6th, ridden approaching 3 out, weakening when not fluent 2 out
chased leaders, blundered and unseated rider 1st
led to 2 out, weakened last
If at the end of this Novices' hurdle COOKSGROVE LADY hasn't won and won easily then something will have gone very wrong for Gordon Elliot's runner with Checked Shirt and Elusive Shadow looking to have plenty to find. Since joining his current yard from Ireland the selection has comfortably landed both of his starts in impressive fashion to justify his favourites tag. He won't be much of a price here but having landed those previous victories by a total of 30 lengths he should prove far to good for this lot. Checked Shirt progressed very nicely from his hurdles debut to run well despite being well held last time and this being just the six-year-old's fourth start he should improve again. Elusive Shadow unseated her pilot last time but before that was running well in chases and she should run into some prize money while Grenoli rarely completes but if he can get round he has a chance of a place. Only one horse is really considered good enough to win here and that's Cooksgrove Lady.
Band Of Brothers 80-1 (10-12) In rear, lost touch after 4th, tailed off, 6th of 7, well behind Cootehill (11-5) at Stratford 2m nov hdl (4) gd.
Checked Shirt 66-1 (10-11) Chased leaders, hampered 6th, weakened approaching 3 out, 6th of 12, well behind Secret Dancer (10-11) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gd.
Cooksgrove Lady (IRE) Evensfav (10-12) Held up towards rear, smooth headway after 6th, hit 3 out, went 2nd on bit soon after, led going well before 2 out, shaken up and clear between last 2, eased near finish, won at Newton Abbot 2m 6f mrs nov hdl (4) gd beating Eastern Surprise (10-12) by 12l, 10 ran.
Grenoli (FR) 25-1 (10-11) Ran out, held up in rear, headway after 9th, disputing close 4th when ran out through wing 3 out, in a race won by Converti (10-7) at Worcester 3m mdn hdl (5) gf in Jun, 10 ran.
King Rocky 33-1 (10-3) Behind, moderate headway from 3 out, never in race, 5th of 18, 35l behind Classic Quart (12-0) at Fontwell 2m 6f cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gf in Jun.
Bandeau Charmer 25-1 (10-2) In rear, pushed along after 4f, struggling halfway, never dangerous, 4th of 7, 31l behind Frontier Dancer (10-13) at Uttoxeter 2m NH flat (6) gd in Jun '08.
Elusive Swallow 50-1 (10-5) Prominent, hampered and unseated rider 3rd, in a race won by Crazy Eyes (10-9) at Cartmel 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gd, 11 ran.
Lambrini Classic 150-1 (10-9) Held up mid-division, ridden and lost place after 4th, 13th of 15, well behind Son Of Flicka (10-12) at Bangor 2m 1f nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
