held up, headway approaching 3 out, ridden before 2 out, weakened approaching last
prominent until weakened approaching 5th
held up in touch, slightly hampered 3 out, soon weakened
in touch when hampered 1st and rider lost irons until after 2nd, mid-division, headway 5th, went 2nd approaching 2 out, hung right approaching last, led flat, driven out
in rear, not fluent 4th, never on terms
held up in touch, mistakes 3rd, jumped left 5th, not fluent 3 out, soon weakened
mid-division, headway 4th, hampered 3 out, soon weakened
held up good headway on outside to lead 3 out, headed flat, no extra
led to 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out
chased leaders to 5th, tailed off
prominent when jumped right 1st, saddle soon slipped, pulled up after 2nd
chased leader, every chance 3 out, one pace after
held up in touch, lost place after 4th, some headway 3 out, never dangerous
held up towards rear, stayed on from 2 out, no impression
A poor start to proceedings may see Asaateel land the spoils at the expense of Thenameescapesme, and Ballybeg Glen. Asaateel was successful twice on the level, and since going hurdling has shaped as though there is more to come, especially on each of his last two starts, at Folkestone and Plumpton. Placed on both occasions in those class 4 handicaps, this drop to claiming class should hopefully prove the answer. Thenamescapesme was a beaten favourite in selling company at Wetherby last time, and has more to do in this slightly better race, while Ballybeg Glen showed his best form on much faster going when trained in Ireland. It is hard to fancy anything else in this mundane contest, and Asaateel has obvious claims on his best form.
Asaateel (IRE) 15-8 (10-0) Tracked leaders, narrow leader last, headed close home, 2nd of 6, 1 1/2l behind Dance With Wolves (10-11) at Plumpton 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft.
Walton Way 14-1 (10-7) In touch, weakened after 6th, behind when pulled up 3 out in race won by Basic Fact (11-4) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft, 12 ran.
Thenameescapesme 13-8fav (11-4) Held up, hit 4th, headway 5 out, weakened after 3 out, hit last, 4th of 9, 32l behind Full As A Rocket (10-13) at Wetherby 2m 4f nov sll hdl (5) sft in Dec.
Viscount Rossini 18-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway approaching 5th, ridden 3 out, weakened 2 out, 6th of 15, 11l behind Zimbabwe (10-12) at Leicester 2m sll hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Clifton 16-1 (10-11) Chased leaders until lost place halfway, 15th of 18, well behind West End King (11-4) at Huntingdon 2m mdn nhf (5) sft.
Ballybeg Glen (IRE) 11-1 (11-8) Mid-division, headway 7th, 6th and in touch when fell 3 out in race won by Hello It's Me (10-10) at Ludlow 2m 5f amt hcp hdl (4) gs in Dec, 16 ran.
Purr 11-1 (9-10) Towards rear, headway 5th, one pace from next, 5th of 12, 12l behind Karyon (9-12) at Catterick 2m sll hcp hdl 0-90 (5) sft.
Royal Sailor (IRE) 150-1 (10-7) Always towards rear, 20th of 22, well behind Straw Bear (11-5) at Leicester 2m nov hdl (3) sft in Jan '06.
Sean Og (IRE) 150-1 (11-0) Always towards rear, 13th of 17, 42l behind Le Burf (10-9) at Wincanton 2m mdn hdl (4) sft.
True Tanner 125-1 (10-11) Pulled hard, soon tracking leaders, weakened 5th, 12th of 14, well behind Redi (10-7) at Southwell 2m mdn hdl (F) gd in Jan '05.
Oohourboo (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Always towards rear and pulled up 5 out in race won by La Dame Brune (11-5) at Warwick 2m 5f mrs nov hdl (4) hvy in Dec, 16 ran.
Alan The Aussie 100-1 (7-9) Led, ridden and headed over 4f out, soon weakened, 14th of 16, 16l behind Looks The Business (10-0) at Yarmouth 1m 3f app hcp (6) frm in Jul (Flat).
Bowdlane Barb 66-1 (10-10) Chased leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 8th of 15, 30l behind Zimbabwe (10-12) at Leicester 2m sll hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Think of The Money 33-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders and keen, weakened approaching 3 out, 3rd of 12, 34l behind Never So Blue (11-12) at Uttoxeter 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-90 (5) hvy in Dec.
Count The Trees 33-1 (10-0) Always behind, 6th of 10, 31l behind Final Bid (10-12) at Ludlow 2m 3yo nov sll hdl (5) gs in Dec.
