mid-division, lost place 4th, pushed along from next, never dangerous
held up towards rear, not fluent 2nd, pushed along approaching 7th, headway 8th, weakened 3 out
held up, pecked 1st, not fluent 7th, headway approaching next, pushed along after 3 out, challenged 2 out, led flat, driven out
prominent, mistake 3 out, every chance approaching 2 out, weakened between last 2
chased leaders, lost place before 5th, ridden and weakened after 7th, tailed off when pulled up after 3 out
mid-division, headway 4th, ridden approaching 8th, one pace after 3 out
raced wide, always towards rear, no chance from 9th, tailed off
jumped right, chased leader, led 3rd to 5th, led again approaching 8th, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, soon weakened
led until approaching 3rd, led 5th until before 8th, hit 9th, ridden to lead again approaching 2 out, headed flat, no extra
held up, headway 8th, weakened 3 out
in touch, ridden after 9th, weakened after 3 out
in rear, headway under pressure after 7th, weakened next
in touch, reminder after 2nd, soon lost place, tailed off before 8th
Not a particularly strong stayers hurdle to open proceedings and we think that Toulouse-Lautrec is worth chancing, with Nite Fox and Mag Num others to consider. The selection has not been seen out since New Year's Day 2006 but despite his age connections have clearly felt him worth keeping in training. He loves a test of stamina and cut in the ground and races from a mark some 27lb below that which he would if this were a chase, so on the assumption that he will be fit enough to do himself justice he is taken to score. Nite Fox had a longer break between runs, 25 months to be precise, before returning to run quite well in November. He acts with cut, though he does ideally prefer a more sound surface. However, if fit after that comeback run then he could show up well. Mag Num was in the process of running well when tipping up over fences at Exeter last time and this half brother to Impek is interesting now returned to hurdles. Minster Abbi is not out of it on her best form but has a bit to prove after a disappointing Plumpton run and Toulouse-Lautrec is the one for us.
Jiver (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Led to 5th, chased leader until weakened after 7th, no danger after, 4th of 6, 41l behind Knighton Lad (11-12) at Kempton 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Nov.
Mag Num (FR) 18-1 (11-12) Tracking leaders when fell at the 9th in race won by River Indus (10-6) at Exeter 2m 7f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft, 13 ran.
Glen Omen (IRE) 22-1 (11-6) Always behind, 9th of 17, well behind Menelaus (11-0) at Towcester 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Nov.
Toulouse-Lautrec (IRE) 6-1 (11-5) Mostly chased winner from 2nd, mistake 3rd, lost 2nd 11th, went 2nd again 3 out, no impression before next, 2nd of 12, 10l behind Dunbrody Millar (9-13) at Plumpton 3m 5f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Jan '06.
It's Blue Chip 20-1 (11-8) Behind from 9th, soon struggling and pulled up 3 out in race won by Saunders Road (11-12) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd, 13 ran.
Ayurveda 40-1 (10-9) Behind, ridden 7th, soon beaten, tailed off 3 out and pulled up 2 out in race won by Ballyboley (11-5) at Towcester 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft, 14 ran.
Nite Fox (IRE) 33-1 (11-6) Always behind, 8th of 11, 26l behind Blaze Ahead (11-4) at Huntingdon 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Nov.
Minster Abbi 4-1 (11-7) Held up and behind, pushed along when fell 5 out in race won by Fine By Me (11-5) at Plumpton 3m 2f nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs in Nov, 7 ran.
Mr Maxim 9-2 (10-11) Tracked leader, ridden and weakened 3 out, 6th of 13, 27l behind Prince De Bersy (10-10) at N Abbot 2m 3f cnd mdn hdl (5) gf in Sept.
Spiritwind (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, jumped slowly 6th, soon struggling, 5th of 9, 32l behind Calusa Caldera (11-5) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gf in Nov.
Paradise Expected 5-1 (11-12) Held up, headway approaching 6th, soon pushed along, one pace from 2 out, 4th of 16, 19l behind Naxox (11-4) at Uttoxeter 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gs.
Avoine (IRE) 16-1 (10-10) Mid-division until weakened 3 out, 7th of 16, 20l behind Daraz Rose (10-5) at Ludlow 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gd.
Woodlands Gem (IRE) 100-1 (10-4) With winner, reminders approaching 6th, weakened before 2 out, 8th of 16, well behind Ballyboley (11-2) at Worcester 3m mdn hdl (4) sft in Jun.
