in rear, pushed along and weakened from 6th, pulled up before next
tracked leaders, pushed along approaching 9th, soon outpaced, no impression after
held up mid-division, reminders and lost place from 6th, tailed off when pulled up before 7th
led, headed approaching 3rd, weakened 3 out, soon pulled up
held up behind, chased leaders approaching 8th, led flat, stayed on, headed towards finish
held up, chased leaders approaching 2 out, led approaching last, headed flat, no extra
chased leaders, behind from 5th, headway approaching 7th, no impression
tracked leader, led approaching 3rd, headed approaching last, rallied run-in, led towards finish
held up and keen, soon tracking leaders, weakened approaching 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
A moderate staying novices' hurdle to get the action underway and one that can go to WHATS UP WOODY from Doc Wells and Qbuster. Howard Johnson's former point-to-point winner showed distinct promise on his debut under rules when narrowly held in a similar race and with conditions set to be no problem at all and improvement likely from that first run in almost seven months he rates a solid selection. Doc Wells is likely to prove the main danger as one who holds an official rating of 111. This trip should be ideal for the six-year-old and he's been found a pretty weak race but in our selection he might find just the one too good and will surely be a better proposition when jumping a fence. Qbuster is actually rated a pound better than Doc Wells and therefore merits respect, particularly on the back of a smashing effort behind a subsequent scorer last time out. That form probably just about sets the standard here but we feel others have more scope for improvement and this one might have to settle for minor honours. Scottish Munro surprised connections when second last time but would have a big chance here if building on that, although the feeling is that race may have fallen apart somewhat and the form is questionable. The only other runner that catches the eye is Only The Best who ran well back from a break last time and with the stable going well that one is worth watching but Whats Up Woody remains our selection.
Billslegacy (IRE) 250-1 (11-5) Always in rear, pulled up before 8th, in a race won by Craiglands (11-5) at Sedgefield 2m 4f nov hts chs (6) gf in Apr, 11 ran.
Doc Wells (IRE) 9-2 (11-11) Tracked leader, weakened approaching last, 4th of 8, 25l behind King of Confusion (11-12) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) hvy in Nov.
Joe Leforze (IRE) 125-1 (10-5) Held up in rear, detached before 5th, soon tailed off, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Going Wrong (10-12) at Carlisle 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Nov, 14 ran.
Moderano (CZE) 3-1 (11-0) Prog 10; ev ch last; nt qckn, 2nd of 12, 1/2l behind Pingaro De La Vire (12-0) at Charing 2m 4f ptp in Feb.
Only The Best 5-1 (11-0) Held up, pushed along approaching 7th, headway between last 2, kept on, 2nd of 11, 2l behind Alora Money (10-7) at Carlisle 3m 1f mdn hdl (5) gd in Oct.
Qbuster (IRE) 7-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway and in touch 7th, went 2nd between last 2, effort and every chance last, ridden and kept on same pace flat, 2nd of 10, 2 3/4l behind King Fontaine (10-12) at Hexham 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Scottish Munros 40-1 (10-9) With leader, outpaced approaching 3 out, stayed on from 2 out, took 2nd towards finish, 2nd of 5, 7l behind Alvarado (11-5) at Carlisle 2m 4f NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) hvy in Nov.
Whats Up Woody (IRE) 13-2 (10-12) Tracked leaders, went 2nd approaching 2 out, stayed on towards finish, always held, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Royal Mackintosh (10-12) at Carlisle 3m 1f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Henbeck Lady (IRE) 25-1 (10-2) Held up in touch, weakened after 4 out, 9th of 12, well behind Dukeofchesterwood (11-5) at Newcastle 3m hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gs in Nov.
City of Doral 28-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 7th, went 3rd 3f out, weakened next, 3rd of 10, 15l behind Chamirey (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Nov.
