tracked leaders, slow and lost place 2nd, not fluent next, soon behind
held up towards rear, ridden and headway after 4 out, soon chasing leaders, weakened next, stopped to walk through flatten hurdle, continued
held up in touch, hit 3rd, lost place and under pressure 4 out
tracked leader, led 2nd, headed after 6th, remained prominent, weakened 3 out
tracked leaders, led after 6th, headed approaching last, weakened flat
held up towards rear, weakened 7th, tailed off when pulled up 2 out
led until 2nd, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up after 6th
keen hold in mid-division, tracked leaders halfway, ridden to challenge after 2 out, every chance after last, no extra
held up towards rear, headway 4 out, chased leader 2 out, soon outpaced, headway to lead when hit last, kept on under pressure
held up mid-division, slow 5th and 6th, under pressure 7th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up 2 out
in touch, lost place 7th, soon behind
Nonrunner
Superior Wisdom made a pleasing racecourse debut at Ascot and can improve to take this novices' hurdle from Armenian Boy and Laredo Sound. The selection had done well in points before Andrew Hales gave him an opportunity at Ascot and he ran well for a long way when a 33/1 chance. Provided he handles this ground then there is surely improvement to be found in him and on that hurdles run there should be little between he and Armenian Boy. However, David Pipe's runner has to give him 7lb here and that can prove decisive. Armenian Boy handles cut and stays well, so he is very much respected. Laredo Sound is another who handles soft ground and we will have a clue as to his chances after the running of Lodge Lane at Warwick on Tuesday. On the face of it though he does have claims as one who stays and he should also come on for his recent Fontwell spin. Desert Inferno is perhaps best of the rest, but Superior Wisdom is the one for us.
Armenian Boy (FR) 16-1 (11-9) Led, ridden after 4 out, mistake and headed 3 out, weakened soon after, 9th of 21, 17l behind Newton Bridge (10-8) at Cheltenham 2m 5f cnd hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Nov.
Ballyvaden (IRE) 33-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders, ridden after 3 out, weakened next, 7th of 16, 35l behind Lodge Lane (10-7) at Fontwell 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gd in Dec.
By George (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) In touch, outpaced 9th, hampered 3 out, stayed on well from last, nearest finish, 5th of 14, 12l behind Cryptic (10-12) at Wincanton 2m 6f nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Desert Inferno (FR) 9-4 (10-12) Mid-division, headway 3 out, no impression, 4th of 14, 15l behind Balamory Dan (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Laredo Sound (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, ridden after 3 out, kept on same pace from next, 4th of 16, 7l behind Lodge Lane (10-7) at Fontwell 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gd in Dec.
Selfcertified 3-1 (12-0) 7th of 9, 45l behind Cosmic Sky (12-0) at Horseheath 3m ptp gd in Apr '06.
Sintos 66-1 (11-2) Reluctant to race and soon behind, effort 12th, no impression after next, 4th of 7, 33l behind Trigger The Light (11-2) at Kempton 3m beg chs (4) gs in Nov.
Superior Wisdom (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Held up behind leaders, dropped rear 7th, slightly hampered 10th, headway after 3 out, weakened after next, 3rd of 6, 12l behind Gone To Lunch (11-5) at Ascot 3m nov hdl (3) gd in Nov.
Turbulance (IRE) 66-1 (11-0) In touch until weakened after 4 out, 5th of 9, 22l behind The Package (11-0) at Newbury 2m mdn hdl (3) gs in Nov.
Molly Hussey (IRE) 25-1 (11-2) Tracked leader in 2nd, challenged entering straight, soon no extra and weakened, 11th of 16, 12l behind Our Julia (10-12) at Fairyhouse 2m mrs nhf gf in Oct.
Portrait Royale (IRE) 10-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, driven 4f out, weakened over 3f out, tailed off, 5th of 12, 34l behind Dancingwithbubbles (10-12) at Folkestone 2m 1f mrs nhf (6) gs in Dec.
Apatura Dik 10-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out, 6th of 17, 26l behind Sharajan (10-12) at Lingfield 2m 3f nov hdl (4) hvy in Dec.
