in touch, chased winner after 3 out, soon ridden, edged left approaching last, no impression flat
prominent until weakened after 3rd
prominent, ridden 3 out, soon weakened
with leader to approaching 5th, weakened next
always behind
behind, headway when not clear run after 3 out, stayed on, never near leaders
mid-division, hit 2nd, ridden 4th, weakened next
mid-division, headway 4th, ridden and one pace from 3 out
held up and keen, headway approaching 4th, led 3 out, quickened clear approaching 2 out, ran on
led to 3 out, soon weakened
mid-division, not much room 2nd, headway 4th, ridden next, weakening when bumped after 3 out
Elegant Clutter won a similar event at this course nine days ago and there is no reason to suspect that he is not capable of following up here. West Hill, Nick's Choice and Upright Ima are rated as the main dangers. Elegant Clutter ploughed through the Warwick mud to win with something to spare last time out. He had previously run a good race at Uttoxeter when third following a two-and-a-half year absence; he also has previous form on a sounder surface and he should be too good for these. Nick's Choice has to carry topweight and will possibly struggle under the burden; he was a surprise winner last time out when racing from 10lb out of the handicap. West Hill represents the Ginger McCain stable but was the winner of a weak Sedgefield handicap hurdle on his latest outing. Upright Ima has been running well in these lady-rider handicaps and should run into a place but, for us, it is Elegant Clutter who gets the vote.
Nick's Choice 14-1 (9-9) Tracked leaders, went 2nd approaching 3 out, led before next, soon ridden, stayed on well, won at Newcastle 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) hvy beating Pay Attention (10-13) by 6l, 9 ran.
Loup Bleu (USA) 100-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, stumbled and unseated rider at the 2nd in race won by Picot de Say (10-2) at Huntingdon 2m ldy hcp hdl (4) gd, 9 ran.
McQueen (IRE) 11-2 (10-13) Mid-division, ridden and lost place 5th, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Lord Lington (11-12) at Warwick 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gd in Oct, 14 ran.
Iberus (GER) 9-1 (10-10) Chased leading pair, 4th and lost place, no impression from 3 out, 4th of 6, 33l behind Danse Macabre (11-2) at Sandown 2m amt hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft.
Hunting Lodge (IRE) 9-1 (10-12) Held up, headway 5th, weakened approaching 2 out, 4th of 8, 28l behind Andy Gin (10-8) at Towcester 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) hvy.
Autumn Rain (USA) 66-1 (10-10) Not fluent, in touch, weakened after 12th, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by Tribal Venture (11-9) at Kempton 3m nov chs (C) gd in Jan '05, 6 ran.
Grand Prairie (SWE) 16-1 (10-8) Tracked leaders, mistake 5th, ridden 3 out, weakened 2 out, 3rd of 9, 16l behind Picot de Say (10-2) at Huntingdon 2m ldy hcp hdl (4) gd.
West Hill (IRE) 5-1 (10-4) Mid-division, headway 3 out, challenged next, soon ridden, stayed on to lead flat, all out, won at Sedgefield 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-90 (5) sft in Feb beating That's Racing (10-9) by 1 1/2l, 13 ran.
Upright Ima 9-2 (9-13) Held up towards rear, headway 4th, led 3 out, ridden next, headed last and no extra, 2nd of 9, 2l behind Picot de Say (10-2) at Huntingdon 2m ldy hcp hdl (4) gd.
Fair View (GER) 66-1 (10-10) In rear, headway 3rd, led 6th to 8th, weakened quickly, tailed off when pulled up 5 out in race won by Kildonnan (11-9) at Warwick 3m 1f nov hdl (4) hvy, 9 ran.
Hayley's Pearl 150-1 (10-3) Always behind, 10th of 14, well behind Taking My Cut (11-3) at Chepstow 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) sft in Feb.
Elegant Clutter (IRE) 5-1fav (11-1) Held up, headway 4th, led after 3 out, clear 2 out, eased flat, won at Warwick 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-100 (4) hvy beating Rockys Girl (9-12) by 6l, 14 ran.
