held up towards rear, hampered 6th, not much room when hampered approaching 3 out, driven 2 out, weakened inside final furlong
chased leaders until ridden and weakened approaching 3 out
led until after 7th, weakened approaching 2 out
in touch, led 3 out, mistake and headed last, rallied to lead flat, ran on
held up towards rear, headway approaching 6th, led after next, headed when mistake 3 out, soon hung right and weakened, tailed off
prominent, jumped right and not fluent 3rd, mistake and unseated rider 6th
prominent, raced keenly, ridden 5th, weakened after 7th, tailed off
held up in rear, not fluent 1st, hampered 6th, headway after next, weakened 2 out
always in rear, tailed off
mid-division, headway 4th, led last, headed flat, not quicken
mid-division, headway 4th, weakened next, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
always in rear, well behind 6th, tailed off
chased leader until after 4th, weakened after 7th, tailed off
held up in rear on outside, headway when not fluent 6th, no further progress, well beaten after 7th, tailed off
If HOPE ROAD turns up in the same form today as he did a month ago then he is a confident choice to defy a penalty and win again, while Billie Magern can chase him home. Tony McCoy has a decent book of rides this evening and none better than Hope Road, who hacked up in a maiden hurdle on good to soft, but has also handled fast ground well. Giving weight away to all but one opponent should not be too taxing for the selection, who is much better off with most than if this were a handicap, and we should take the hint. Billie Magern has finished runner-up in three similar contests, adding weight to his credentials, but he has yet to win in 10 career starts, including when appearing reasonably well handicapped. Even so, he looks to have the ability to make the frame. Psychological won a Newton Abbot maiden hurdle last time and the step up in trip might help bring more improvement. He acts on the ground and despite having a bit to find he is not ruled out. Ring For Time has been raised 15lbs for an easy Stratford win, but despite having conditions to suit, would be a surprise winner at these weights. Little else appeals and Hope Road is a confident selection.
Hope Road 9-4fav (11-0) Held up, raced keenly, headway 6th, led 2 out, easily, won at Worcester 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gs in Jun beating Nishnash (11-0) by 11l, 12 ran.
Psychological 20-1 (10-7) Chased leaders, led after 3 out, ridden and headed next, regained lead last, ran on, ridden out, won at Newton Abbot 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gd in Jun beating Qanta De Thaix (11-0) by 2 3/4l, 12 ran.
Billesey (IRE) 20-1 (9-9) Took keen hold, in touch, hit 5th, not fluent next, soon pushed along, no chance from 7th, tailed off when blunder 3 out, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Tidal Fury (10-2) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp chs (2) hvy in Feb, 5 ran.
Billie Magern 9-2fav (11-6) Raced keenly in mid-division, ridden after 10th, hit 3 out, headway approaching 2 out, switched right and weakened approaching last, 5th of 15, 17l behind Simple Glory (10-3) at Aintree 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Jun.
Easyfix (IRE) 7-2fav (10-12) Mid-division, 8th halfway, ridden and no impression 4 out, 13th of 16, well behind Cylindar Rattler (10-11) at Wexford 2m hcp hdl 0-95.
Nanosecond (USA) 100-1 (10-11) Pulled hard, prominent, weakened after 9th, tailed off when went badly right 2 out and last, 11th of 12, well behind Silver Bay (11-0) at Worcester 3m mdn hdl (5) gf in Jun.
Quatuor Collonges (FR) 33-1 (10-9) Mid-division, weakened 5th, 12th of 14, 45l behind Bai Zhu (10-9) at Towcester 2m NH flat (5) sft in Nov.
Ring For Time 6-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, hampered 8th, headway approaching next, led 3 out, clear approaching 2 out, easily, won at Stratford 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Jun beating Dont Even Ask (10-10) by 16l, 13 ran.
Vivarini 10-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, weakened over 4f out, 9th of 12, well behind Paint The Clouds (11-3) at Market Rasen 2m 1f NH flat (6) gd in Jun.
Cailin Na Ri (IRE) 6-1 (10-7) In touch on outer, chased leaders approaching 7th, weakened approaching 2 out, 4th of 14, 34l behind Devon Native (10-11) at Southwell 2m 5f mdn hdl (5) gd in Jun.
I'mtheluckyone 16-1 (11-7) To & pu 11, in a race won by Royal Crystal (11-7) at Kingston Blount 2m 5f ptp in Jun, 10 ran.
Tallow Bride (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Towards rear, headway to go prominent 5th, weakened 3 out, 6th of 14, 43l behind Devon Native (10-11) at Southwell 2m 5f mdn hdl (5) gd in Jun.
Tara Gale 80-1 (10-2) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened 7th, 9th of 11, well behind Plunkett (10-9) at Ffos Las 2m 4f nov hdl (3) gd in Jun.
Houri (IRE) 33-1 (9-9) In touch, ridden and weakened 3 out, 8th of 13, 47l behind Factotum (11-5) at Worcester 2m nh nov hdl (4) gf in Jun.
