held up in rear, mistakes 1st, 4th and 5th, headway after 3 out, driven before 2 out, stayed on into 3rd approaching last, no chance with front pair
led, ridden and headed before 2 out, soon weakened
not fluent or travelling, held up towards rear, mistake and ridden 3rd, hit next, driven and no impression before 2 out, went modest 4th last
mid-division, pushed along after 3 out, soon weakened
chased leader, hit 3 out, pushed along well before 2 out when mistake and weakened
chased leaders, led before and blundered 2 out, ridden and headed when mistake last, weakened flat
took keen hold, held up towards rear, smooth headway after 3 out, went 2nd 2 out, led before last, drew clear run-in
took keen hold, held up and always in rear, pushed along and struggling after 3 out, tailed off
mid-division until driven and weakened after 3 out, tailed off
chased leaders, pushed along after 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off
The market could be useful with few of the runners boasting much recent form to boast of and a number being unexposed. NOBLE FUTURE receives our tentative nomination ahead of Owlsley whilst Bruff Academy is another to note. Venetia Williams has always been worth following at this time of year and Noble Future is better than he has been able to show in his two starts this year. He does have plenty to prove having failed to fire on his two recent starts but he has ability and is worth another chance in a weak race. Shali San has been disappointing in the main but she has run a couple of decent races and the decision to fit her with a tongue tie and blinkers may reap due reward. Bruff Academy hasn't shown a great deal thus far under Rules but he looks the part on paper, hasn't had many chances and he merits close consideration on his move into the handicap ranks. Owlsley is another that hasn't shown a great deal but his yard is going well and it would be no surprise to see an improved performance. Isintshelovely and Waarid have shown more than most so have to rate highly whilst Rowan River hasn't had many starts and is from a yard that could be on the verge of a return to form. It's hard to be confident given the profile of most in this field but Noble Future is the suggestion.
Shali San (FR) 8-1 (10-5) Held up in rear, 7th approaching 3 out, 8th before last, 7th of 16, 40l behind Alfie Spinner (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) hvy.
Bruff Academy (IRE) 28-1 (10-12) Jumped right throughout, led, ridden and pressed after 3 out, headed approaching 2 out, weakened soon after, 5th of 10, 16l behind Black Jacari (10-8) at Fontwell 2m 2f nh nov hdl (4) gf in Jun.
Waarid 33-1 (10-13) Behind, headway approaching 2 out, hard ridden and stayed on strongly approaching last, ran on, no chance with winner, 2nd of 13, 9l behind Calzaghe (11-8) at Kempton 2m Conditional Novice Handicap Hurdle (0-100) (3yo+) (4) gs in Nov.
Noble Future 8-1 (10-7) With leader, pushed along approaching 2 out, soon faded, last of 8, 47l behind L'homme De Nuit (11-1) at Sandown 2m nov hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft.
Isintshelovely (IRE) 10-1 (10-13) Held up in touch, under pressure 4 out, soon weakened, behind when mistake 2nd last, 7th of 13, 21l behind Calzaghe (11-8) at Kempton 2m Conditional Novice Handicap Hurdle (0-100) (3yo+) (4) gs in Nov.
Rowan River 40-1 (10-2) Held up in rear, lost touch approaching 7th, mistake 2 out, blundered last, tailed off, 4th of 6, well behind Lady Hillingdon (11-5) at Fontwell 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gf in Sep.
Mix N Match 11-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, good headway on inside when ran out through wing 6th, in a race won by Zabeel Palace (11-10) at Fontwell 2m 2f sell hcp hdl 0-85 (5) gf in Sep, 17 ran.
Thoroughly Red (IRE) 14-1 (10-8) Held up, shaken up approaching 3 out, not fluent and soon held, 7th of 8, 46l behind Thumbs Up (11-1) at Aintree 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in May.
Owlsley 40-1 (10-12) Always in rear, ridden 7th, behind when mistake 3 out, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Wardington Lad (11-7) at Towcester 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Mar, 17 ran.
Sally Army 250-1 (10-4) Behind when fell 2nd, in a race won by Pocket Aces (11-6) at Taunton 2m 3f nov chs (3) sft, 8 ran.
Sparkbridge (IRE) 100-1 (10-8) Soon behind, struggling after 7th, tailed off and pulled up before 10th, in a race won by Mount Oscar (11-1) at Fontwell 2m 2f beg chs (4) hvy in Nov, 5 ran.
Light Entertainer 100-1 (10-12) Held up in touch, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened, 8th of 13, 37l behind Bangkok Pete (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) sft.
Cherryficial (IRE) 66-1 (9-7) Held up, ridden and weakened 4 out, 13th of 15, well behind Jocheski (11-0) at Taunton 2m 3f 4yo Am hcp hdl (4) gd in Nov.
