held up towards rear, raced keenly, ridden and weakened 3 out
held up in touch, took keen hold, weakened approaching 2 out
with leader, ridden approaching 2 out, weakened before last
held up in rear, headway approaching 2 out, stayed on same pace approaching last
held up in touch, weakened after 4th, soon behind
held up towards rear, blundered 3rd, headway approaching 2 out, stayed on same pace last
took keen hold, always prominent, every chance 2 out, stayed on same pace flat
mid-division, headway 3rd, ridden approaching 2 out, one pace last
took keen hold towards rear, hit 4th, headway 3 out, mistake 2 out, staying on same pace when not fluent last
mid-division, weakened 3 out
held up towards rear, raced keenly, mistake 4th, headway approaching next, no extra last
prominent, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out
in rear, struggling 3 out, never dangerous
held up towards rear, raced keenly, mistake 1st, headway approaching 2 out, led last, ridden flat, ran on well
mid-division, headway 3rd, mistake 3 out, one pace approaching last
led, hit 5th, headed last, no extra when edged left flat, just held on for 2nd
A number of these are unexposed and the market may prove useful in assessing the race. EDGBRIAR is put forwards with Hollies Favourite and I'm A Legend others that take the eye. Ballabrook and Phar Again may well be able to step up on their previous form now handicapping and support for either would make them runners to fear whilst it would be no surprise to see Rawdon attract support with McCoy taking the ride but Michael Bell's runner has proved disappointing in this sphere. Headgear has had a positive effect for Aypeeyes on the level and may improve his hurdling and Kayf Keel has also shown enough to think he could be involved if ready. Hollies Favourite is a respected Irish raider who may find this less competitive than the races he's been contesting at home whilst I'm A Legend has proved to be one of the more consistent performers in this line-up and, as such, deserves a place on the short-list. Paul Webber has his string in reasonable form and the case for Edgbriar rests on the form that he showed in bumpers in 2006/7 where he showed decent form in defeat to Lodge Lane and Den Of Iniquity. There's less to commend his recent performances but he's handicapped accordingly and Edgbriar may be able to make the most of his initial mark.
Ballabrook (IRE) 14-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, some headway when hit 5th, soon weakened, 4th of 9, 20l behind Zed Candy (10-9) at Uttoxeter 2m nov hdl (3) sft in Oct.
Phar Again (IRE) 11-4 (10-9) Left in lead 2nd, took keen hold, ridden approaching 3 out, headed 2 out, faded from last, 3rd of 12, 12l behind Weather Front (11-2) at Exeter 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gs in Oct.
Pheidias (IRE) 15-8fav (10-12) Led, ridden and headed last, no extra, 2nd of 8, 8l behind Maraafeq (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 1f 4yo nov hdl (4) sft in Feb.
Kirkhammerton (IRE) 16-1 (10-4) Tracked leaders, chased leader approaching 5th, led and mistake 4 out, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, hit last, soon weakened, 6th of 10, 9l behind Red Admiral (11-3) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Oct.
Thebelloftheball 2-1fav (10-10) Prominent, ridden after 3 out, weakening when blundered 2 out, 5th of 9, well behind Cheating Chance (10-13) at Wincanton 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Apr.
Edgbriar (FR) 66-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, hampered 3 out, never on terms, 8th of 13, 21l behind Dee Ee Williams (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m mdn hdl (3) gd in Oct.
Aypeeyes (IRE) 5-2fav (10-12) Mid-division, jumped badly left 3rd, ridden 3 out, weakened next, 4th of 7, 22l behind Master Mahogany (11-9) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Mar.
John Charles (IRE) 28-1 (10-9) Chased leader when fell at the 2nd in race won by Oldrik (10-6) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Oct, 13 ran.
Hollies Favourite (IRE) 16-1 (10-2) Towards rear, headway from before 2 out, 11th entering straight, 9th last and kept on same pace, 8th of 25, 15l behind Havetoavit (10-11) at Punchestown 2m hcp hdle gs in Oct.
Rawdon (IRE) 11-4fav (11-7) Held up in rear, ridden approaching 3 out, no response, jumped right 2 out, 6th of 8, 24l behind Back To The Wind (11-2) at Ludlow 2m nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in May.
I'm A Legend 9-4fav (11-5) Mid-division, headway 3 out, kept on from 2 out, 4th of 16, 3 1/2l behind Picot de Say (10-10) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Oct.
Devils River (IRE) 12-1 (11-1) Mid-division, headway 5th, ridden to chase winner 3 out, weakened next, 11th of 17, 34l behind Kerriemuir Lass (11-4) at Towcester 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Apr.
Tamreen (IRE) 9-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, led briefly approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out, 7th of 16, well behind Anglicisme (10-5) at Towcester 2m 3f sll hdl (5) gd in Oct.
Kayf Keel 6-1 (10-10) In touch, chased leaders approaching 3 out, every chance 2 out, one pace, 3rd of 16, 5l behind Cortesia (10-3) at Bangor 2m 1f mrs mdn hdl (5) sft in Dec.
Passato (GER) 100-1 (10-9) Mid-division, weakened 4 out, 10th of 15, 39l behind Tchico Polos (10-12) at Chepstow 2m nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Golden Square 33-1 (10-4) Prominent, ridden after 6th, weakened approaching 3 out, 5th of 15, 27l behind First Point (11-6) at Ludlow 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Oct.
