in touch in main group, disputing 15 lenghts 3rd 3 out, no impression
chased winner and well clear of rest, every chance when mistake 3 out, awkward on landing next, still upsides when mistake last, lost momentum, soon swerved left, stayed on towards finish
mid-division in main group, no headway
mid-division in main group, went 13 lenghts down in 3rd before 2 out, 7 lenghts down last, closed flat, no impression near finish
took keen hold, made all, well clear of field bar one rival, hit 1st, joined 3 out until last, driven out
in touch in main group, hit 3rd, weakened after 5th
jumped right, chased clear leading pair, 15 lenghts down 3 out, unable to close
mid-division in main group, no headway approaching 3 out
chased clear leaders, unable to close and weakened approaching 3 out
held up in rear, never in contention
held up, not fluent 2nd, went 5th after last, no impression
The Rainbow Hunter's tendency to pull hard is a worry and he is passed over in favour of OSRIC whose Tail Of The Bank form reads very well; Adelar remains capable of better. Nicky Henderson's gelding didn't show that much in his first three runs over hurdles, but his latest start at this track has worked out well. This ground should be ok and a bold bid is expected. Outside The Box is a former point-to-point winner who should appreciate a hurdle today after a poor Lingfield bumper run in December, whilst Adelar started at 7/4 on his UK debut earlier in the month but was beaten when unseating his rider. Much better is expected from a horse who was contesting Group races in Europe last season. You're So Vain showed a good attitude to beat Tequila Bob at Folkestone last time out but has a penalty to carry as a result, The Rainbow Hunter has some very solid form but tends to do too much before and during his races, whilst Slam, The Lemonpie and The Quantum Kid all remain capable of better but may be handicapping types. This looks a good opportunity for Osric to break his maiden tag.
The Rainbow Hunter 5-1 (11-2) Took very keen hold in 4th, tracked winner and still pulling 3 out, challenged 2 out, ridden and held before last, 2nd of 5, 2 1/2l behind Meath All Star (11-2) at Wincanton 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gd.
You're So Vain 4-1 (11-1) Led, joined 2 out, narrowly headed soon after, rallied gamely to lead again last strides, won at Folkestone 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) hvy beating Tequilla Bob (11-1) by hd, 12 ran.
Adelar (GER) 7-4fav (11-1) Soon prominent, led 3rd until after next, chased winner briefly approaching 2 out, soon weakened, blundered and unseated rider last, in a race won by Captain Chris (10-12) at Kempton 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd, 15 ran.
Osric (IRE) 14-1 (11-10) Held up in rear, smooth headway on inside before 3 out, soon challenging, pressed winner and every chance when hit 2 out, still every chance when edged left before last and flat, held final 100 yards, 2nd of 11, 1/2l behind Tail Of The Bank (11-12) at Newbury 2m nov hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs.
Outside The Box 11-4 (11-0) Led, soon clear, ridden, headed 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 14, 20l behind Voltigger Hill (11-0) at Lingfield 2m mdn nhf (6) hvy in Dec.
Slam 6-1 (11-1) Took keen hold, tracked leaders, mistake 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 10th of 11, well behind Accordingtoemandem (11-1) at Stratford 2m mdn hdl (4) gd.
Sprowler 66-1 (11-2) Prominent, ridden over 4f out, stayed on same pace final 2f, 4th of 17, 29l behind Jau (11-2) at Wincanton 2m NH flat (5) gs in Dec '08.
The Grifter 33-1 (11-0) In touch and keen, ridden and weakened over 3f out, 10th of 15, 31l behind Tataniano (11-0) at Chepstow 2m NH flat (6) gd in Oct '08.
The Lemonpie (GER) 33-1 (11-1) Mid-division, hit 4th, mistake 3 out, soon weakened, 10th of 12, 40l behind Tanto Faz (11-1) at Stratford 2m mdn hdl (4) gd.
The Quantum Kid 80-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, took keen hold, headway 3 out, mistake 2 out, soon went 4th, not fluent last, no impression on leaders, 4th of 15, 34l behind Captain Chris (10-12) at Kempton 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd.
Black Phantom (IRE) 40-1 (10-7) Always rear division, 10th of 14, 42l behind Superius (11-1) at Wincanton 2m mdn hdl (4) gd.
Dhania (IRE) 4-1fav (8-12) Held up in mid-division, headway to track leaders 5f out, chased winner 3f out, well held when hung left over 1f out and just held on for 2nd, 2nd of 13, 10l behind My Les (8-7) at Brighton 1m 4f 3yo sll (6) gd in Oct (flat).
Valid Point (IRE) 8-1 (10-9) Took keen hold, tracking leaders, ridden and struggling 4th, well behind when hit 3 out tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Diktalina (10-7) at Sandown 2m 4yo nov hdl (3) sft in Feb, 8 ran.
Allformary 18-1 (8-11) Tracked leaders, ridden and effort over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 7th of 14, 6l behind Mujaadel (9-5) at Catterick 7f hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Oct (flat).
Duke of Burgundy (FR) 20-1 (11-3) Held up in rear, headway approaching 5th, weakened before 3 out, tailed off, 12th of 15, well behind Dan Breen (11-3) at Doncaster 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Feb.
