mid-division, ridden and weakened 3 out
held up, outpaced 3 out, never on terms
in touch, ridden and effort 2 out, hit last, stayed on under pressure flat
with leaders, ridden and effort 2 out, kept on
mid-division, driven 3 out, headway under pressure next, soon ridden, stayed on to chase winner flat
mid-division, outpaced 3 out, soon beaten
led, headed 6th, pressed leader, led again 2 out, soon ridden, headed after last, weakened towards finish
with leader, led narrowly 6th, headed 2 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace approaching last
mid-division, headway under pressure approaching 2 out, kept on same pace, no impression last
in touch, went 2nd 2 out, ridden to lead after last, stayed on
behind, mistake 4th, soon lost touch, never dangerous
Nonrunner
Phil Kirby's Lets Go Girls won well enough at Wetherby last month and she has every chance off just a 4lb higher mark today but this is a better contest and it may be worth siding with SOPRANO back over hurdles and he gets the vote with King Mak rated the best of the rest. The selection has run well in both starts over fences this season but should not be inconvenienced by the return to timber and with jockey Gerald Quinn able to claim an additional 3lbs because he is riding for his own stable, Jonjo O'Neill's gelding looks worth siding with. Micky Hammond's Calfraz ran creditably in a claiming hurdle at Wetherby on his reappearance but this looks tougher and of more interest may be Jim Best's lightly raced mare Conington. Ian Williams has his team in good form so Silver Snitch has to be considered but he has shown little since winning a novice hurdle at Sedgefield in December 2006. Marjorie Fife's King Mak has found one too good in each of his last two starts and has every chance off the same mark as on his latest start but preference is for Soprano, who can win on his return to hurdles.
Soprano (GER) 7-2fav (11-5) Held up, reminders 8th and dropped to rear, not a danger after, 8th of 10, 9l behind Senor Shane (10-7) at Lingfield 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy in Dec.
Treasury Counsel (IRE) 66-1 (11-0) Always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 9th, in a race won by Rebeccas Choice (11-1) at Warwick 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Dec, 18 ran.
Conington 5-1 (11-6) Held up, pushed along 6th, soon struggling, 10th of 11, 42l behind Near The Water (10-11) at Plumpton 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft.
Mini Minster 33-1 (11-4) Mid-division, ridden 3 out, never dangerous, 9th of 13, 34l behind Ballabrook (10-5) at Catterick 2m 3f con hcp hdl 0-110 3yo+ (4) gs in Dec.
Calfraz 28-1 (10-12) Held up, pushed along 7th, headway 4 out, kept on from last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 9, 6l behind Laborec (10-4) at Wetherby 2m 6f cond clm hdl (4yo+) (5) sft in Nov.
Lets Go Girls 13-2 (11-0) Held up in touch, led after 2 out, kept on well, won at Wetherby 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) hvy in Dec beating Seven Stars (10-13) by 4 1/2l, 8 ran.
Overbranch 10-1 (10-9) With leader, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 14th of 15, well behind Je Ne Sais Plus (11-5) at Doncaster 2m 3f mares hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Dec.
Silver Snitch (IRE) 11-1 (9-9) Mid-division, weakened after 7th, tailed off, 12th of 15, well behind Cross Kennon (11-7) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) hvy in Dec.
Muntami (IRE) 14-1 (10-4) Held up, headway to chase leaders approaching 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, blundered last, one pace, 7th of 13, 24l behind Winterwood (11-10) at Doncaster 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Dec.
Laughing Game 10-1 (10-2) In touch, took keen hold, went 2nd 6th until after next, weakened after 3 out, 10th of 11, 39l behind Tarvini (11-7) at Huntingdon 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Nov.
Iloveturtle (IRE) 80-1 (9-7) Held up mid-division, behind from halfway, 8th of 9, well behind Vivarini (10-10) at Fakenham 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft.
King Mak 6-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders, went 2nd before 2 out, soon ridden and kept on same pace, no impression, 2nd of 14, 6l behind Have You Seen Me (11-5) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs.
