always towards rear
close up, ridden approaching 5th, tailed off from 7th
tracked leaders, ridden after 6th, soon behind, tailed off
led, ridden approaching 2 out, headed flat, no extra
in touch, ridden after 3 out, weakened next
always towards rear
mid-division, headway approaching 7th, close 4th and ridden approaching 2 out, kept on same pace from last
tracked leader until mistake 3rd, regained 2nd after 6th, ridden after 3 out, weakened flat
mid-division, hit 3rd, ridden after 6th, weakening when mistake 3 out
behind from 6th, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
held up towards rear, steady progress from 6th, went 3rd after 3 out, soon ridden, led flat, kept on well
always behind, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
chased leader until after 6th, soon ridden, weakened approaching 3 out
never better than mid-division
chased leaders, mistake 5th, weakened approaching 3 out
This handicap hurdle looks ultra-competitive and we will shortlist Sabre Hongrois, Pearly Star and CHARLES STREET with the verdict given to Charles Street. The selection hails from the Evan Williams yard and he was only beaten a short-head by Bally Conn at Wincanton last month. That run probably came a little too quickly for him after his previous winning effort, and although he is rising in the handicap he may still be up to taking this. Sabre Hongrois has the ability to get competitive but he was very disappointing last time and that run will have to be forgiven if he is to win this. Pearly Star is a course and distance winner and he arrives here in good form. He won at Chepstow last time and he is clearly suited by today's ground conditions so he should make another bold bid. Brize Norton disappointed last time but the soft ground may have been an excuse and he should fare better today. A tough race for punters to fathom and the vote is given to Charles Street. (Tim Thornton)
Idarah (USA) 8-1 (11-6) Held up in rear, pushed along after 4 out, weakened approaching next, 6th of 7, 28l behind Coolnaharan (11-0) at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) frm in Oct.
Brize Norton (IRE) 11-4jt-fav (11-1) In touch and pulled hard, headway 11th, chased winner 4 out until last, weakened flat, 4th of 9, 19l behind Dream Garden (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 5f nov chs (3) sft in Oct.
Sabre Hongrois (FR) 7-2 (11-5) Led, driven and headed 6th, outpaced 3 out, weakened next, 5th of 11, 38l behind Ruby Dante (11-0) at Market Rasen 2m 6f nov hdl (4) gd in Aug '07.
Kerriemuir Lass (IRE) 22-1 (11-7) In touch, hit 6th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by First Point (11-6) at Ludlow 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Oct, 15 ran.
Sovereign Spirit (IRE) 10-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, ridden and every chance after 2 out, kept on, held from last, 2nd of 13, 1 1/2l behind Take A Mile (11-4) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Oct.
Maximix 12-1 (11-7) Held up in rear, pushed along approaching 5th, headway approaching 3 out, weakened under pressure before 2 out, 7th of 12, 22l behind Double The Trouble (10-8) at Towcester 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Apr.
The Premier Cat (IRE) 25-1 (10-10) Chased leaders in 3rd, lost place 6 out, weakened 4 out, pulled up before 3 out pulled up at the last in race won by Dun Doire (9-10) at Gowran Park 3m hcp chs (1) gs in Jan '06, 18 ran.
Vintage Fabric (USA) 12-1 (10-9) Towards rear, struggling 6th, stayed on from 2 out, went 3rd flat, never troubled leaders, 3rd of 11, 21l behind Dream Catcher (11-1) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Oct.
House Of Bourbon (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, 3rd 4 out, ridden in 2nd before 2 out, soon no extra, 4th of 24, 17l behind Grand Corniche (11-12) at Cork 3m mdn hdl gs in Jul.
Equilibria (USA) 11-2 (11-1) Towards rear, reminders 4th, soon lost touch and pulled up 4 out in race won by Kosmos Bleu (11-2) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Oct, 11 ran.
Pearly Star 20-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders, led after 4 out, left clear 2 out, comfortably, won at Chepstow 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Apr beating Nemetan (10-6) by 9l, 17 ran.
Charles Street Evensfav (10-9) Mid-division, headway 3 out, ridden and challenged last, just failed, 2nd of 21, shd behind Bally Conn (10-13) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in Oct.
Kinetic Power (IRE) 28-1 (10-0) Chased leaders, driven after 10th, weakened soon after next, tailed off, 6th of 8, well behind Phone In (11-2) at Plumpton 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gf in Oct.
Spider Boy 16-1 (10-7) Led, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 9th of 13, 35l behind Take A Mile (11-4) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Oct.
Bollywood (IRE) 33-1 (11-2) Prominent, ridden 6th, soon weakened, 8th of 14, 26l behind King's Majesty (11-1) at Plumpton 2m nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf in Oct.
Twice Charmed 33-1 (10-10) Mid-division until weakened after 7th, tailed off, 15th of 17, well behind Pearly Star (10-11) at Chepstow 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Apr.
Dream Catcher (SWE) 12-1 (10-11) In touch, raced keenly, weakened after 3 out, 13th of 17, 44l behind The Polomoche (11-12) at Stratford 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gf in Oct.
