led to 3 out, weakened approaching last
held up towards rear, ridden and struggling 5th
always behind
keen early, held up in rear, headway approaching 3 out, led and awkward last, headed flat, no extra when lost 2nd near finish
keen early, always behind, tailed off
held up in rear, raced keenly, always behind
in touch, pushed along 5th, weakened approaching 3 out
mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, soon weakened, jumped left and mistake 2 out
chased leader, led 3 out, headed last, weakened flat
held up towards rear, headway from 3 out, hanging left after 2 out, not clear run and stumbled flat, switched left, stayed on to take 2nd near finish
always prominent, ridden to lead flat, ran on
in touch, not fluent 4th, weakened approaching next
mid-division, headway on inside approaching 3 out, weakened flat
held up towards rear, blundered 5th, headway approaching 3 out, weakened flat
Equity Release must be given plenty of respect dropping down in grade but it's been a long time since that one looks like winning so we instead take our chance with RAGDOLLIANNA while Arctic Cape looking the most interesting newcomer in this maiden hurdle. Rhinestone Ruby has been the only animal in front of the selection on her last two starts and with this field lacking a horse of that quality it's reasonable to suggest that the mare, who was quite useful on the level, should go one better this time. Equity Release is the highest rated of those to possess a mark but although he is stepping down in class questions must remain about his jumping after a fall last time. Arctic Cape is closely matched with the pick based on his flat form and from a top yard is bound to be ready for the obstacles. Lucky Dancer looks to have plenty to find based on his efforts on the level so in a tricky race to finish Ragdollianna is the choice.
Alfie Noakes 12-1 (10-11) Led, headed approaching 7th, in 3rd when weakening, blundered 2 out, 8th of 13, 46l behind High Gales (11-0) at Stratford 2m 3f mdn hdl (4) gd in Jul.
Babe Maccool (IRE) 20-1 (10-9) Held up in rear, not fluent 4th, well behind next, 12th of 13, well behind Mission Control (10-12) at Worcester 2m mdn hdl (5) gs in Jul.
Campfire Tales (IRE) 100-1 (11-0) Always behind, 11th of 13, well behind Mission Control (10-12) at Worcester 2m mdn hdl (5) gs in Jul.
Equity Release (IRE) 9-1 (11-12) In rear when fell 4th, in a race won by Six Day War (11-6) at Hereford 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Dec, 15 ran.
High Bray (GER) 100-1 (10-12) Towards rear, weakened after 5th, tailed off from 3 out, last of 13, well behind Eradicate (11-5) at Taunton 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Shannon Weir (IRE) 20-1 (11-7) Always towards rear, tailed off, 15th of 16, well behind Jack The Miller (11-11) at Roscommon 2m 4f N H flat gd in Jun '08.
Stinker (IRE) 11-1 (10-7) Chased leaders, outpaced 4f out, ran green but stayed on steadily final 2f, 4th of 15, 9l behind Sirnando (11-0) at Stratford 2m NH flat (4) gf in Sep '06.
Watchmaker 13-2 (11-0) Held up in rear, shaken up approaching 3 out, soon well beaten, 10th of 13, 33l behind Mission Control (10-12) at Worcester 2m mdn hdl (5) gs in Jul.
Alesandro Mantegna (IRE) 6-1 (10-10) Held up, headway 5th, weakened approaching 2 out, 4th of 8, 35l behind Any Given Day (11-10) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Jul.
Arctic Cape 7-1 (9-2) In touch, ridden to challenge and every chance over 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 9, 1 3/4l behind Bold Cross (9-3) at Doncaster 1m hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Jun (flat).
Lucky Dancer 8-1 (9-0) Led, headed 2f out, soon ridden and weakened, 7th of 14, 9l behind Coda Agency (9-7) at Kempton 2m hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Jun (flat).
Frosty's Gift 50-1 (10-9) Held up, ridden and hit 5th, struggling and weakened from next, 9th of 11, 42l behind Gracechurch (10-12) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f clm hdl (5) gs.
Mountain Beat 20-1 (10-10) Led, ridden and headed 2f out, weakened 1f out, 5th of 15, 12l behind Call Me Mulligan (11-3) at Hereford 2m 1f mdn NH flat (5) gf in Jun.
Ragdollianna 9-4 (10-10) Held up, headway after 5th, not fluent next, soon chasing winner, beaten after 3 out, weakening when blundered last, 2nd of 7, 26l behind Rhinestone Ruby (11-3) at Uttoxeter 2m mrs nov hdl (4) gs in Jul.