chased leaders on outer, ridden before 3 out, one pace
close up, led 5th, ridden before last, kept on well, driven out
always towards rear, never dangerous
always towards rear
held up mid-division, weakened after 4 out
led, pushed along 4th, headed 5th, ridden and weakened after 4 out
in touch, weakening when blundered 2 out
in touch, hit 5th, switched to inside before 5th, chased leaders next, one pace and lost 3rd after last
close up, with leader 4th, outpaced before 2 out, kept on to take 3rd after last, one pace
mid-division, ridden and weakened after 4 out
held up towards rear on inside, never dangerous
held up towards rear on inner, headway after 4 out, hit 2 out, ridden before last, soon weakened
tracked leaders and keen, chased winner after 4 out, ridden before last, one pace
prominent on outer, outpaced before 3 out, no impression
held up towards rear and keen, some headway approaching 2 out, no impression
A Bridge Too far was second in a Ludlow bumper on his racecourse debut and could be interesting, though will probably improve for the experience. Danehillsundance won seven times on the Flat but the fact that he began his hurdling career in a seller tempers enthusiasm over his chances here and more interesting is OMOKOROA. A decent stayer on the level, Donald McCain's charge would almost certainly have been placed on his debut under NH Rules at Catterick had he not crashed out at the final flight. He can gain compensation in this if his confidence hasn't been dented. Ubi Ace won twice in a relatively light career on the Flat and may be worth noting for future reference, along with French import Sweet Sugar.
Chief Bucaneer (IRE) 10-1 (11-2) Tracked leading pair, blundered 3 out, lost place when mistake next, weakened and pulled up before last, in a race won by Solway Sam (11-5) at Hexham 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gs in May, 10 ran.
A Bridge Too Far (IRE) 9-4fav (11-2) Mid-division, headway 9f out, chased winner over 3f out, stayed on, unable to make an impression, 2nd of 9, 3l behind Kawa (11-2) at Ludlow 2m mdn NH flat (5) gs in Nov.
Aitch Factor 200-1 (10-12) Towards rear when unseated rider 1st, in a race won by Backspin (10-12) at Bangor 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gd in Dec, 16 ran.
Beano Boy 200-1 (10-12) Held up mid-division, lost place from 4th, tailed off from 6th, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Lethal Glaze (10-12) at Catterick 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Dec, 16 ran.
Danehillsundance (IRE) 14-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, struggling in modest 6th before 3 out, plugged on, tailed off, 4th of 9, 36l behind Pokfulham (11-5) at Musselburgh 2m sell hdl (5) gs.
Harris Hawk 6-1 (11-2) Mid-division, pushed along 7f out, some late headway, never dangerous, 6th of 15, 27l behind Master Murphy (10-9) at Newcastle 2m mdn NH flat (6) gs in Nov.
Lava Steps (USA) 150-1 (11-4) Held up mid-division and keen, ridden and weakened after 3 out, 8th of 14, 34l behind Bear's Affair (11-4) at Southwell 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs.
Northern Cross (IRE) 13-2 (11-3) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened 3f out, 7th of 10, 41l behind Roses (10-7) at Sedgefield 2m 1f NH flat (6) gd in Apr '09.
Omokoroa (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, not fluent 1st, every chance and a close 3rd when fell last, in a race won by Lethal Glaze (10-12) at Catterick 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Dec, 16 ran.
Rumble Of Thunder (IRE) 5-1 (11-5) Pulled hard in rear, tailed off when pulled up and dismounted approaching last, in a race won by Nosecond Chance (11-2) at Fakenham 2m mdn hdl (5) gs, 11 ran.
Salto Des Mottes (FR) Useful gelding out of Julie Des Mottes.
Sweet Sugar (FR) (10-7) 3rd of 14, 8l behind Saccageur (10-3) at Auteuil(FR) 2m 1f 4yo nov chs sft in Jun.
Tinseltown 150-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, ridden 3 out, never dangerous, 6th of 16, 36l behind Lethal Glaze (10-12) at Catterick 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Dec.
Ubi Ace 6-1 (9-4) Tracked leaders, challenged 3f out, every chance 1f out, not much room and switched left inside final furlong, unable to quicken, 2nd of 8, 2 1/4l behind Music Of The Moor (9-0) at Haydock 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Sep (flat).
Whiskey Ridge (IRE) 25-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders, steadied into mid-division 12f out, struggling over 4f out, tailed off, 9th of 11, 41l behind Priceless Art (11-9) at Market Rasen 2m 1f NH flat (6) gd in Jun.
Matilda's Folly (IRE) 250-1 (10-2) Held up behind, blundered and unseated rider 1st, in a race won by Danceintothelight (11-0) at Catterick 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs, 15 ran.
Mytara 10-3 (10-6) Tracked leaders on outside, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened, 5th of 9, 33l behind Problema Tic (10-2) at Towcester 2m NH flat (6) sft in Mar.
Red Valerian Two (IRE) 33-1 (8-13) Chased leaders, reminders and lost place over 6f out, soon weakened, beaten when eased 2f out, tailed off, last of 6, well behind Luck Of The Draw (8-8) at Southwell 1m 3f app mdn stks (6) fbs (flat).