blundered 1st, behind and not always fluent, blundered 10th and again 12th, struggling next, lost touch when blundered and almost fell 4 out, soon pulled up
pressed leader, effort 3 out, every chance when not fluent next, ridden and outpaced between last 2, no impression from last
held up in touch, ridden to challenge on outside before 3 out, led narrowly before next, kept on under pressure flat, all out near finish, just held on
tracked leaders, led before 7th, ridden and headed before next, kept on and every chance last, no extra towards finish
tracked leaders, driven and outpaced before 3 out, soon ridden, no impression from next
held up behind, outpaced 4 out, ridden after next, never able to challenge
led, headed when blundered 7th, tracked leaders, ridden before 3 out, one pace next, switched outside and rallied before last, ran on, just failed
Fr Humphrey was the outsider of three when edging a novices’ hurdle at Fontwell but the second ran well in a handicap at Wetherby earlier this week, though he has a bit to find here on his chase form. Vendredi Trois has dropped to a fair mark and Land League has been edging closer to a first victory over fences while Guerrilla Tactics is another with claims. But Ballycrystal Court disappointed off this mark at Kelso after a win at Market Rasen and Net De Treve has yet to convince over the larger obstacles. Pulled up in his last two, there are risks attached to LEITH HILL LAD but he is back on a winning mark and has been successful here in the past. With an eye-shield replacing the usual cheekpieces, he is worth a market check.
Leith Hill Lad 16-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, lost place 8th, bad mistake 10th, pulled up before next, at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in Sep.
Net De Treve (FR) 10-1 (11-8) In rear, reminder after 8th, well behind 10th, pulled up before 3 out, at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Jul.
Vendredi Trois (FR) 12-1 (11-0) Held up in mid-division, headway 6th, no impression 2 out, 6th of 12, 13 1/4l behind Topofthecotswolds (11-5) at Stratford 2m 7f hcp (3) gd in Aug.
Guerrilla Tactics (IRE) 6-1 (11-10) Prominent until 2nd, chased leaders, not fluent 8th, left with every chance 2 out, beaten last, went 2nd close home, 2nd of 7, 1 3/4l behind Gardiners Hill (11-12) at Newton Abbot 3m 2f hcp (4) gd in Sep.
Ballycrystal Court (IRE) 13-2 (11-9) Held up behind, struggling after 5 out, never near leaders, 6th of 12, 20l behind Sebastian Beach (11-13) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp (4) gd in Sep.
Land League (IRE) 10-3 (11-7) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 2 out, 2nd before last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 12l behind Elkstone (11-12) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Fr Humphrey (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Made all, set very steady pace and not fluent, quickened after 3 out, strongly challenged last, all out, held on well, won at Fontwell 2m 6f (4) gf in Aug beating Victarion (11-10) by nk, 3 ran.
