held up mid-division, took keen hold, headway before 2 out, kept on same pace
held up mid-division, weakened before 2 out
held up towards rear, headway before 3 out, led last, ran on strongly, eased towards finish
held up towards rear and keen, soon in touch in 5th, led before 2 out, headed last, one pace and no chance with winner
tracked leaders in 3rd, led 4 out, headed before 2 out, kept on same pace
in touch in 4th,headway to track leaders 4 out, weakened from 2 out
in rear, saddle slipped and pulled up after 3rd
with leader, jumped slow and lost place from 4th, soon reminders
led, headed 4 out, weakened after 3 out
Quite Sparky hasn't won over timber in 14 starts but will enjoy soft ground better than most of these rivals and should go well. Lauberhorn needs quick ground as he showed at Exeter last time when just touched off by Chilbury Hill. He's an obvious threat if the going dries out while Arkaim has enough form in the book to get competitive providing he's ready after a break. BRUNTON BLUE looked very progressive when last seen at the backend of 2011 and though she's another who would be suited by drying conditions she's handed the vote as Lucy Wadham can get one ready after a long break.
Numen (IRE) 66-1 (10-7) Held up towards rear, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened, 8th of 11, 9l behind Representingceltic (10-4) at Lingfield 2m n h flat (4) std in Jan.
Royal Etiquette (IRE) 66-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened, 10th of 16, 13l behind Dr Livingstone (11-4) at Kempton 2m n h flat (3) std in Jan.
Lauberhorn 4-1 (10-10) Held up towards rear, headway after 5th, every chance last, stayed on, held by winner towards finish, 2nd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Chilbury Hill (9-9) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd.
Arkaim 9-2 (10-12) Pulled hard in rear, headway to 4th at 3rd, ridden when hit 3 out, weakened next, 4th of 7, 46l behind Amok (11-12) at Fakenham 2m nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Nov.
Paddleyourowncanoe (IRE) 33-1 (10-13) In touch in 5th, weakened before 3 out, towards rear when fell 2 out, in a race won by Gizzit (11-4) at Warwick 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (5) sft in Feb, 19 ran.
Brunton Blue 5-1 (10-8) Took keen hold, tracked leaders, went 2nd after 3rd, lost place and not much room on bend after 2 out, rallied approaching last, stayed on under pressure to lead post, won at Folkestone 2m 1f Mares Handicap Hurdle (0-100) (4yo+) (5) gd in Nov '11 beating Osmosia (11-5) by shd, 8 ran.
Turn The Tide 150-1 (10-12) Steadied start, took keen hold in last, behind 7th, tailed off, 11th of 13, well behind Miss Ballantyne (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m 5f mrs nov hdl (4) sft in Feb.
Quite Sparky 9-1 (9-9) Prominent, driven to challenge after 3 out, every chance after last, no extra close home, 3rd of 15, 2 3/4l behind Cara Court (9-10) at Catterick 2m 3f ldys hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gs in Feb.
Samizdat (FR) 33-1 (10-0) In touch, headway before 5 out, ridden before 2 out, weakened before last, 10th of 15, 21l behind Mutanaker (10-8) at Southwell 2m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd.
