chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, hit last, kept on flat
led to 3rd, chased leaders, weakened approaching 3 out
prominent, weakened approaching 3 out
towards rear, pushed along halfway, weakened 4 out
held up, headway approachinhg 3 out, ridden and weakened next
held up in touch, led 3 out, kept on well
tracked leaders, weakened approaching 7th
chased leaders, mistake 3 out, weakened next
held up, weakened after 4 out
held up, chased leaders 4 out, weakened approaching next
chased leader, led 3rd, headed 3 out, weakened next
tracked leaders, blundered badly 4 out, soon weakened
behind, weakened and pulled up before 6th
held up, headway 4 out, ridden and hit last, kept on
DZESMIN gets the vote to win this novice hurdle following a highly satisfactory return to hurdling at Aintree last time out. A smart handicapper throughout the summer culminating with two decent efforts in staying contests. His hurdling was very fluent at Aintree and while the form was left down slightly by the winner at Cheltenham yesterday, this race does not appear to posses anything of that quality. Given the fact he was such a stout stayer on the flat, it seems that staying trips over hurdles would suit him best and that is what he is provided with today. Drever Route, a half-brother to Megans Joy is one of three penalised runners in the race. He beat the high class flat recruit Alfie Flits on debut who did not leave the form down subsequently with a solid fourth placing in a Cheltenham maiden hurdle, the form of which is working out very well. The step up to this 2m 4f trip should suit. Terenzium looks vulnerable to lesser exposed sorts but has place claims while Border Reiver won what appeared a weak maiden hurdle over the course last time out. Dzesmin is selected to win this as he takes on this longer trip.
Border Reiver 3-1 (10-12) In touch, chased leader after 4 out, soon ridden, led after last, stayed on well, won at Wetherby 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gf in Oct beating Sergheyev (10-12) by 5l, 11 ran.
Drever Route (IRE) 10-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, led after last, stayed on well flat, won at Hexham 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Oct beating Alfie Flits (10-12) by 3l, 13 ran.
Humourous (IRE) 14-1 (10-11) Led to 3rd remained prominent, effort after 2 out, kept on same pace flat, 2nd of 17, 2 1/2l behind Box Wallah (11-2) at Kelso 2m 6f cnd hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in Oct.
Beau Sam 5-1 (11-7) A.p; led 2 out; stayed on wl, won at Dingley 3m ptp gd in May beating Smart Mistress (11-7) by 3l, 8 ran.
Dark Destiny (IRE) Beneficial gelding out of Platin Run.
Dzesmin (POL) 9-2 (11-0) Led, headed 2 out, no extra and lost 2nd flat, 3rd of 18, 6l behind American Trilogy (11-0) at Aintree 2m mdn hdl (3) sft in Oct.
Harlaxton (IRE) 40-1 (10-7) Tracked leader, hit 7th, ridden 3 out, weakened next, 5th of 7, 27l behind Postmaster (11-0) at Fakenham 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gf in Oct.
Jayne's Crusader 12-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, lost place after 5th, 7th of 13, 35l behind What A Buzz (10-12) at Bangor 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Jimandgary (IRE) 9-4 (12-0) Led 2 out, kept on well, won at Ballydurn 3m ire ptp gd in Apr beating Fresh Idea (12-0) by 5l, 14 ran.
Lunar Rock (IRE) 100-1 (10-9) Mid-division, mistake and lost place 6th, weakened after 7th, 5th of 11, well behind Barnhill Brownie (10-12) at Wincanton 2m 6f nov hdl (4) gs in Oct.
Rookery Rebel (IRE) 10-1 (11-5) Always towards rear, completely tailed off, 10th of 16, well behind Rebel Chief (11-12) at Fairyhouse 3m beg chs sft in Oct.
Sam McCoombe (IRE) 150-1 (10-5) Always behind, 9th of 12, 39l behind Shore Thing (11-8) at Towcester 2m mdn hdl (3) gd in Oct.
Solar Rock (IRE) 150-1 (10-5) Chased leaders, pushed along and stumbled 6th, soon weakened, 6th of 11, 37l behind Border Reiver (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gf in Oct.
Terenzium (IRE) 18-1 (10-8) In touch, outpaced 3 out, stayed on from 2 out, not reached winner, 2nd of 15, nk behind Warsaw Pact (11-12) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gf.
