held up, ridden full out, soon weakened, pulled up before next
held up in rear, headway approaching 3 out, soon ridden, 3rd and no impression when hit last
soon towards rear, lost touch 5th, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
tracked leaders, went 2nd 4th, ridden 2 out, kept on same pace, no impression
held up, driven and outpaced 3 out, never on terms
chased winner to 4th, outpaced 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off when blundered last
jumped well, made all, ridden clear after 2 out, stayed on strongly
mid-division, pushed along 4 out, soon weakened, behind when pulled up before last
A weak contest can go to Seafire Lad, with Arctic Cove appearing to be the main danger. The selection won two of his four selling company starts and there is no doubt that this is his level. His run last time out back in handicap company was below par, however if the money comes for him today then he can be expected to go close. Arctic Cove fell last time out when still in with every chance and must hold major claims today, however his record of one win in 23 starts isn't the most encouraging. Turftanzer hasn't shown a lot in five hurdles runs to date, however he should be watched in the market for signs of support after a 234-day absence. Sheer Guts has a notable jockey booking so could go well at a decent price and is at least one who has won over the distance before, however we will tentatively return to Bob Johnson's Seafire Lad to lead them home.
Turftanzer (GER) 20-1 (10-9) Mid-division when blundered and unseated rider at the 2nd in race won by Wiggy Smith (11-0) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gf in Jun, 11 ran.
Migration 20-1 (10-13) Held up, ridden and weakened 3 out, 9th of 11, 37l behind Overstrand (11-12) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs.
Sheer Guts (IRE) 100-1 (11-2) Chased leaders until weakened 3rd, 12th of 14, well behind Storymaker (10-0) at Newcastle 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft in Jan.
Seafire Lad (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) Held up, headway to chase leaders 4 out, soon weakened, 11th of 14, 49l behind Storymaker (10-0) at Newcastle 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft in Jan.
Arctic Cove 9-1 (11-8) Held up, headway 3 out, staying on in 4th when fell 3 out in race won by Karyon (9-12) at Catterick 2m sll hcp hdl 0-90 (5) sft in Jan, 12 ran.
Lorna Dune 50-1 (10-6) Slowly away, always behind, lost touch from 6th, tailed off, 11th of 12, well behind Norton Sapphire (11-10) at Huntingdon 2m 5f cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft in Jan.
Diamond Vein 100-1 (10-6) Chased leaders after 3 out, soon weakened, 11th of 14, 39l behind Clock House (10-5) at Wetherby 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-110 (4) hvy in Jan.
Explode 8-1 (10-1) In touch, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, soon weakened, 10th of 12, well behind Karyon (9-12) at Catterick 2m sll hcp hdl 0-90 (5) sft in Jan.
