mid-division, headway approaching 6th, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
jumped right 1st, in touch to 6th, soon behind
towards rear, headway 6th, ridden 3 out, soon weakened
held up, headway approaching 7th, chased winner 3 out, ridden when not fluent 2 out, kept on one pace
mid-division, headway approaching 6th, weakened next, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
behind, mistake and unseated rider 6th
held up and keen, headway when tried to run out 6th, led approaching 3 out, clear 2 out, easily
chased leaders, not fluent 7th, soon ridden, weakened approaching 2 out
with leader, led 7th, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, weakened quickly, tailed off when pulled up before last
led to 7th, led again briefly approaching 3 out, weakened quickly, tailed off when pulled up before last
chased leaders, weakening when slightly hampered 6th
The Mick Weston stands out here, with Tytheknot, Dictator and Mayyas possibly proving best of the rest. Connections could hardly have wished for an easier assignment for useful bumper winner The Mick Weston's hurdling debut, and he can provide trainer Richard Phillips with a welcome winner. Newcastle 10-furlong maiden winner, Tytheknot, has a reasonable profile for hurdling and should improve for his debut in this sphere, so is respected, while Dictator has yet to build on his Flat promise of 2004 in three hurdling starts, although this is not a strong event and it would be no surprise to see him go well. Mayyas is entitled to improve on his Leicester eighth last time, his first run in a year, while My Good Lord's best run so far came here in a bumper, although his other four efforts have not really been inspiring. Finally, Woolstone Boy ran up a quick treble in October at Southwell over 12 and 16 furlongs, so holds some interest on his hurdling debut, and Pinkerton Mill has already won a bumper but will need to put a couple of disappointing efforts since then behind her to feature. Overall, though, we are more than happy to side with The Mick Weston.
Chigorin 100-1 (10-12) Prominent, ridden and every chance approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 8th of 17, 36l behind High Day (11-2) at Uttoxeter 2m nov hdl (E) hvy.
Courageous Dove 66-1 (11-2) Held up in touch, ridden after 5th, weakened approaching 3 out, 8th of 14, 24l behind Allumee (11-2) at Worcester 2m mdn hdl (E) gf in Oct.
Dictator (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, jumped left 2nd, ridden 4 out, weakened 2 out, 8th of 17, 26l behind Gallant Approach (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m nov hdl (E) gs.
Mayyas 200-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway after 5th, ridden 3 out, weakened before next, 8th of 21, 27l behind Nous Voila (10-12) at Leicester 2m nov hdl (D) gs.
My Good Lord (IRE) 66-1 (11-0) Towards rear, ridden 3 out, never dangerous, 13th of 20, 35l behind Mr Mischief (11-2) at Wetherby 2m cnd nov hdl (E) gd in May.
The Mick Weston 12-1 (11-5) Took keen hold, held up, still in rear but going well when short of room crashed through rails and unseated rider over 5f out unseated rider in race won by Missed That (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m nhf Grd 1 (A) gd in Mar, 24 ran.
Tytheknot 5-1 (10-12) In touch, weakening when hit 2 out, 5th of 10, 20l behind Random Quest (10-12) at Chepstow 2m nov hdl (E) hvy.
Noviciate (IRE) 150-1 (11-0) Pulled early and always behind, tailed off from 5th, 5th of 6, well behind Refinement (11-3) at Wincanton 2m nh nov hdl (C) gd.
