mid-division, headway 3 out, ridden next, kept on same pace approaching last
held up and behind, headway when hampered approaching 3 out, ridden next, stayed on to chase winner approaching last, no impression
in touch, chased winner after 4 out, ridden and lost place next, soon weakened, pulled up before last
always behind
mid-division, headway 4 out, effort next, ridden and weakened 2 out
in touch, lost place approaching 3 out, soon beaten
led, mistake 4 out, soon headed, weakened next
towards reard, headway 5th, ridden and no impression 3 out
tracked leader, led after 4 out, clear 2 out, driven out flat
behind, pushed along 4 out, kept on from next, never nearer
in touch, chased winner 3 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace from next
chased leaders to halfway, soon behind
A wide open handicap hurdle here and many can be given a chance on their best form but the principals look to be Ticket To Ride ,Kentucky Blue and Beamish Prince and the narrow vote is given to Ticket To Ride. The selection won well after a long absence last time and although he has a penalty for that win he won with plenty in hand and under conditions that suit he is taken to defy the handicapper. Kentucky Blue rates the main danger on his latest second behind Ursis but he continues to rise in the weights without winning and for that reason he is opposed. Beamish Prince is another that could go well as he looks to be on a handy mark but he took a crashing fall last time out and it is hard to know if his confidence will be effected and at likely odds he looks worth opposing. Torkingking is another that has place claims on his best form but he may just need the run after a 223 day absence. Fair Spin won his last two traces at the end of last season and looks sure to improve but this is a very competitive race and lack of fitness may just find him out. Of the remainder Red Man is from a yard in form and could go well at a price while Jake Black is another that looks to be on a lenient mark but he disappointed for no apparent reason last time and in a tricky affair for the winner we return to Ticket To Ride.
Fenix (GER) 16-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, 6th before halfway, no extra after 3 out and pulled up 2 out in race won by Stutter (10-2) at Punchestown 2m hcp hdl sft in Apr, 25 ran.
Adopted Hero (IRE) 11-2 (11-7) Held up, headway approaching 3 out, no impression after, 7th of 11, 19l behind Sharp Rigging (10-11) at Windsor 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (C) sft in Dec.
Kentucky Blue (IRE) 11-2 (11-12) Tracked winner, ridden approaching 3 out, mistake last, one pace, 2nd of 6, 5l behind Ursis (11-6) at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (C) sft in Oct.
Ticket To Ride (FR) (10-6) won at Compiegne 2m 4f chs gd in May beating Val Devie (10-6) by a hd, 9 ran.
Beamish Prince 12-1 (11-1) Held up in touch when fell at the 5th in race won by Albuhera (11-6) at Wetherby 2m beg chs (E) sft in Oct, 8 ran.
Fair Spin 5-2fav (11-7) Tracked leaders, led 2 out, soon ridden, kept on well run-in, won at Carlisle 2m 1f nov hdl (E) gs in Mar beating Summer Special (10-9) by 2l, 16 ran.
Torkinking (IRE) 7-2fav (11-0) Led, headed halfway, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Westmeath Flyer (11-7) at Kelso 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-130 (C) sft in Apr, 14 ran.
Argento 6-1 (11-4) (last 4 fences omitted) held up behind, headway approching 3 out, ridden and lost place over 5f out, last of 7, 46l behind Polar Scout (10-9) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp chs 0-125 (D) gd in Mar.
Transit 14-1 (10-7) Held up, moderate headway under pressure from 3 out, never a danger, 6th of 11, 15l behind Cantgeton (10-7) at Cheltenham 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-135 (E) gd in Oct.
Jake Black (IRE) 16-1 (10-9) With winner to 5th, soon lost place, behind when pulled up at the last in race won by Buena Vista (11-7) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-145 (B) gd in Jul, 18 ran.
Welcome To Unos 11-4 (11-0) Tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, close 4th but held when hampered and brought down at the last in race won by Haafel (11-0) at Huntingdon 2m nov chs (D) sft in Mar, 4 ran.
Red Man (IRE) 7-2 (10-9) Tracked leader, led last, all out, won at Kelso 2m 2f cnd hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gs beating Shares (11-6) by 2 1/2l, 8 ran.
Merryvale Man 20-1 (11-3) Mid-division, outpaced 3 out, soon behind, 12th of 18, 42l behind Francies Fancy (11-7) at Hexham 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gf in Jun.
