held up in rear, smooth headway approaching 3 out, ridden to lead last, ran on
held up, smooth headway approaching 3 out, ridden and every chance last, not quicken run-in
tracked leaders, led 4 out, ridden and headed last, soon weakened
with leaders, ridden after 4 out, weakened next
held up, weakened and tailed off before 4 out, pulled up before next
with leader, ridden and weakened after 4 out, pulled up before 2 out
held up in touch, soon with leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
tracked leaders early, mid-division when mistake 5th, soon lost place, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
in touch, weakened and tailed off from 4 out, pulled up before next
led until 4 out, ridden and weakened next, pulled up before 3 out
Aston Lad gets the confident vote in this novices' handicap hurdle with Euro American and Iron Warrior the pair likely to give him the most to think about. The selection won well when showing a good attitude to get the better of Flaming Heck at Ayr last time. He will have ground conditions to suit here and he is taken to lead them home. Euro American did run with some promise on his return from a break at Kelso last time when finishing a good fourth behind Rising Generation. He is sure to come on for that run and he looks capable of making the frame. Iron Warrior has not been out since a run on the level back in July but he has run well previously over this course and distance when finishing second behind Notaproblem and providing he is fit enough today then he has to be considered. True Temper is game and consistent and is another with place prospects, but for the winner we are happy to stick with Aston Lad.
Euro American (GER) 10-1 (11-2) Towards rear, outpaced 4 out, kept on one pace from 2 out, 4th of 13, 22l behind Rising Generation (11-9) at Kelso 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (D) gs in Oct.
Aston Lad 8-1 (11-12) Held up, headway 4 out, effort next, hampered and checked 2 out, hard ridden and kept on to lead towards finish, won at Ayr 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (E) sft in Nov beating Flaming Heck (10-11) by a shd, 9 ran.
Greek Star 12-1 (10-3) Held up, ridden 7th, soon struggling and pulled up 2 out in race won by Fishki's Lad (10-13) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gd in Feb, 11 ran.
Iron Warrior (IRE) 9-2 (11-2) Chased leaders, mistake 8th, soon ridden and weakened, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by Arctic Lagoon (10-13) at Hexham 3m mdn hdl (F) gd in May, 14 ran.
Colwyn Jake (IRE) 66-1 (11-6) Held up in rear, stayed on past beaten horses from 2 out, never dangerous, 4th of 13, well behind Napolitain (10-13) at Fontwell 2m 2f nov hdl (E) gs in Jan.
Batto 25-1 (10-6) Held up, headway 3 out, soon ridden, no impression, 5th of 10, 21l behind Joes Edge (11-6) at Carlisle 2m 4f nov hdl (E) gd in Feb '04.
Macchiato 25-1 (10-6) Chased leaders, ridden 5th, weakening when hampered 4 out, soon behind, 11th of 12, well behind Celtic Legend (10-3) at Wetherby 2m nov hcp hdl 0-105 (E) sft in Nov.
True Temper (IRE) 20-1 (10-0) In touch, headway 4 out, effort approaching 2 out, one pace approaching last, 3rd of 14, 9l behind Tobesure (11-4) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-100 (F) gs in Oct.
Bobsourown (IRE) 12-1 (9-13) In touch, challenged 4 out, every chance next, ridden and one pace 2 out, 5th of 12, 12l behind Celtic Legend (10-3) at Wetherby 2m nov hcp hdl 0-105 (E) sft in Nov.
Countrywide Sun 20-1 (10-7) In touch, outpaced 2 out, no impression on winner, 3rd of 13, 44l behind Gardasee (11-0) at Hexham 2m 3yo mdn hdl (F) gs in Nov.
The Yellow Earl (IRE) 5-1 (10-8) Held up, weakened halfway, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Fantastico (11-3) at Perth 3m cnd hcp hdl 0-90 (F) gf in Aug, 11 ran.
