held up and behind, headway 6th, ridden after 3 out, hit last, stayed on flat, no chance with winner
held up and behind, raced keenly, jumped left on several occasions, mistake 2nd, stayed on from after 3 out, never nearer
led, hit 2nd, headed next, weakened after 4th
chased leaders to 5th
with leader, led 3rd to 5th, ridden to lead approaching 2 out, clear last, ran on well, eased near finish
mid-division, mistake 4th, no headway from 5th
raced keenly, mid-division, headway 3rd, weakened 6th
in rear, jumped right 3rd, headway when not fluent 4th, weakening when not fluent 5th, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
in touch, lost place 4th, weakened approaching 5th, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
in touch, disputing close 3rd when mistake 5th, weakened approaching 3 out
always behind, ridden 4th, tailed off and pulled up before 6th
held up towards rear, headway approaching 5th, stayed on same pace from 2 out
raced keenly, always prominent, led 5th, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, mistake last, weakened flat
chased leaders, close 3rd when mistake 3 out, soon outpaced, weakening when not fluent 2 out
in touch, ridden 5th, weakened 3 out
This really is a very poor novices' handicap hurdle and shortlisted are Brilliant, a winner last time out, Honour's Dream and Sub Artic and the vote goes to Brilliant. Although only a selling handicap hurdle, Di Hamer's gelding still has a decent chance here even with a 9lb rise for that success because this is as weak as it gets in this sphere. Honour's Dream is back over a more suitable trip after being well beaten at Exeter last time and with that pipe opener plus cut in the ground in his favour he could go well. Sub Artic has shown glimpses of promise but not nearly enough to support him financially yet, while if he handles the ground then Sylvan Shack could be worth considering if the market speaks in his favour after a long break. Castlemainevillage is another who couldn't be ruled out in a race where you'd be hard pressed to lay on the cash, but Brilliant is a tentative choice.
Petroupetrov (FR) 22-1 (11-2) In touch, weakened 3 out, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Menelaus (11-0) at Towcester 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Nov, 17 ran.
Cemgraft 16-1 (10-7) Held up, headway 5th, struggling after 3 out, jumped left and not fluent 2 out, 11th of 17, 32l behind Zirkel (11-12) at Warwick 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs.
Sargentos (GER) 40-1 (11-7) Led, headed after 6th, weakened 3 out, 6th of 16, 27l behind Naxox (11-4) at Uttoxeter 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gs.
Sylvan Shack (IRE) 66-1 (11-0) Chased leader until approaching 7th, ridden and every chance approaching 2 out, kept on same pace flat, 2nd of 9, 3l behind Azzemour (11-0) at Warwick 2m 5f nh nov hdl (E) gf in May '05.
Honour's Dream (FR) 20-1 (11-0) In touch, ridden 7th, weakened 8th, 10th of 13, well behind Bernard (9-7) at Exeter 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Nov.
Ushnu (USA) 12-1 (10-12) In touch, ridden 8th, soon weakened, behind when pulled up 3 out in race won by Win A Rose (11-1) at N Abbot 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf in Sept, 14 ran.
Castle Frome (IRE) 33-1 (9-13) Led until unseated rider at the 4th in race won by Never So Blue (11-8) at Ludlow 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd, 16 ran.
Castlemainevillage (IRE) 25-1 (11-2) Mid-division, lost place 3rd, soon struggling, stayed on again from 2 out, 4th of 16, 11l behind Tytheknot (11-5) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Mar.
Sub Artic (IRE) 100-1 (11-1) Always in rear, 8th of 12, 33l behind Busy Isit (11-6) at Ludlow 2m 5f mdn hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Lenny The Blade 15-2 (10-5) Held up, ridden and headway approaching 3 out, weakened after 2 out, 7th of 18, 32l behind Kelv (10-11) at Hereford 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf in Apr.
Les Baux Belle (IRE) 66-1 (10-7) Mid-division until weakened 3 out, 10th of 18, 31l behind Pasco (11-0) at Newbury 2m mdn hdl (4) gs.
Brilliant (GER) 10-1 (10-4) Tracked leader, led 6th, ridden clear 2 out, driven, stayed on flat, won at Leicester 2m 4f cnd sll hcp hdl (5) gf beating Just Superb (11-11) by 3l, 16 ran.
Monash Lad (IRE) 25-1 (11-5) Always in rear, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Brilliant (10-4) at Leicester 2m 4f cnd sll hcp hdl (5) gf, 16 ran.
Sarahs Gift (IRE) 40-1 (10-12) Keen, tracked leader, led soon after 4 out, joined 3 out, weakened and headed before 2 out, 5th of 8, 16l behind Earlsfield Raider (11-3) at Leicester 2m sll hdl (5) gd.
Madam Harriet 50-1 (10-7) Prominent, led approaching 5th, headed approaching 2 out, weakened, 5th of 14, 12l behind Katess (10-10) at Towcester 2m mrs nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Mandalay Lady 50-1 (10-10) Held up, struggling 6th, hit next, tailed off from 3 out, 7th of 8, well behind Takotna (10-10) at Taunton 2m 3f mrs nov hdl (3) gf in Nov.
