tracked winner until dropped rear 7th, soon took closer order until jumped very slowly 8th, detached and pulled up before next
made all, blundered 11th, driven clear approaching last
chased leaders, chased winner from 4th, ridden approaching 3 out, beaten after 2 out
held up in rear, hit 7th, poor 3rd when fell 4 out
BOW SCHOOL is confidently selected here ahead of Hi Dancer. If we ignore the selections last run at Kelso on ground that was too soft, then he must have an outstanding chance. He won at Musselburgh in November off a mark of 102 so having been raised 9lb for that win, it is no surprise to see him out of handicap company and back in Novice company with no penalty. His main danger looks to be Hi Dancer. Pat Haslam's gelding is stepped up in trip today. His run behind Et Maintenant looks fair form but he has some work to do with the selection on their run behind Tell Henry back in November at the track. Etoile Dor has masses to find at these weights and a defeat looks inevitable assuming one of his rivals finishes the course, whilst Barneys Lyric was pulled up on his recent chasing debut and although he has a fair run over hurdles behind Ballyfitz at Chepstow in December 2007 to his name he is very much opposable. A good opportunity for Bow School to get back to winning ways.
Barneys Lyric 50-1 (10-11) Chased leading pair, lost place 8th, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up at the 11th in race won by According To Pete (11-10) at Newcastle 3m nov chs (3) sft in Dec, 6 ran.
Bow School (IRE) 9-2 (11-11) In touch and mistakes, close up 3 out, weakened after 2 out and pulled up at the last in race won by Cornerback (11-4) at Kelso 2m 6f nov hcp chs (3) sft, 7 ran.
Hi Dancer 8-1 (11-5) Held up, chased leaders 4 out, hard ridden next, stayed on from last, 3rd of 7, 7l behind Et Maintenant (11-9) at Ayr 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft.
Etoile d'Or (IRE) 50-1 (9-4) Held up, raced keenly, headway 11th, ridden after 2 out, weakened approaching last, hung right flat, 4th of 7, 13l behind Kikos (11-4) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf.