with leaders, ridden and outpaced after 4 out, kept on from last
pushed along towards rear, weakened approaching 7th, tailed off when pulled up 4 out
held up, headway to lead approaching 4th, headed 3 out, kept on same pace
held up, outpaced 7th, headway to chase leaders 4 out, led approaching last, kept on well
soon held up, weakened from 4 out
in touch, went 2nd from the 6th, led 3 out, headed approaching last, one pace
led until headed approaching 4th, weakened after 4 out
tracked leaders, weakened 4 out
held up in touch, pushed along approaching 8th, weakened after next
with leaders, behind approaching 7th
TEN CARAT failed to take to fences but Martin Todhunter's gelding has shown some fair form over hurdles and looks to be feasibly well treated for his debut in a handicap so gets the vote to open his account over timber, with the main threats rated as Odd Socks and Moon Melody. The last mentioned ran better in a selling hurdle at Stratford earlier this month and he has to be respected on that evidence in a similarly weak contest today. Dianne Sayer's Kinfayre Boy disappointed at Sedgefield last time but has solid claims on earlier form, while Odd Socks represents strong connections being trained by Howard Johnson but needs to improve on all known form to trouble the judge. George Moore's Apsara showed little aptitude for the game when last seen over timber and, in a poor contest Ten Carat has solid claims and gets the vote. (Nick Millard)
Ten Carat 6-1 (10-12) Held up mid-division, in touch from 6th, one pace from 3 out, 4th of 13, 6l behind Mhilu (11-5) at Wetherby 2m 4f nov hdl (4) frm.
Bobs Hope (IRE) 10-1 (9-3) Prominent, led before 5 out, headed before 3 out, soon no extra, 6th of 13, 21l behind Harbour View (9-11) at Listowel 3m hcp hdl 0-123 sft in Sept.
Hapthor 10-1 (11-7) Held up in rear, pushed along 8th, never near leaders, 4th of 11, 24l behind Roznic (11-8) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd.
Kings Maiden (IRE) 3-1 (10-10) Mid-division, chased leaders 5th, weakened 4 out, 6th of 8, well behind Golden Run (10-5) at Cartmel 2m 1f mrs nov hdl (5) gd in May.
Present 8-1 (9-10) In rear, tracked leaders approaching 5th, ridden approaching 2 out, soon weakened, mistake last, 5th of 8, well behind Sarde (11-7) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft.
Corso Palladio (IRE) 9-2 (11-7) Mid-division, headway 6th, blundered next, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, 7th of 11, 35l behind Border Tale (11-3) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf in Sept '07.
Kinfayre Boy 20-1 (11-0) Held up in touch, mistake 7th, soon ridden and weakened, 11th of 14, 47l behind Loom (11-0) at Sedgefield 2m 5f cnd hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf in Sept.
Moon Melody (GER) 16-1 (11-0) Held up in touch, ridden after 10th, edged left approaching last, soon switched right, went 2nd flat, no impression on winner, 2nd of 15, 5l behind Rival Bidder (10-13) at Southwell 3m sll hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd.
Odd Socks (IRE) 25-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 9th of 12, well behind Manadam (10-10) at Wetherby 2m 3f nov hdl gd in Apr.
Apsara 17-2 (10-3) Led to 4th, chased leaders until weakened 3 out, 9th of 13, 40l behind Thehonourablelady (11-2) at Sedgefield 2m 4f mrs hcp hdl (4) gd in Nov.