took keen hold, chased leaders, 2nd 2 out, driven and stayed on run-in, always held
never better than mid-division, struggling after 6th, no chance when went right 2 out
never better than mid-division, struggling in 6th after 3 out, mistake next
always towards rear, blundered and rider lost iron briefly 5th, never a factor
chased leader, led approaching 2 out, driven out
chased leaders, weakened quickly after 5th, soon behind, tailed off
always towards rear, never a factor, tailed off
started slowly, always towards rear
led until approaching 2 out, dropped to 3rd soon after, well held and no chance with leading duo when blundered badly last
took keen hold towards rear, some headway on inside approaching 3 out, weakened before next
chased leaders, mistake and lost 3rd 3 out, driven and no impression in 4th before next
mid-division, ridden in 5th after 3 out, plugged on
Few leap off the page in a modest maiden hurdle. TAKEITFROMALADY only gave best approaching the last on his hurdling debut here two weeks ago and can put that experience to good use, though it's worth noting if there is any market support for Ben Pauling's newcomer Itsnowcato who had decent form on the level last year without managing a win. Stonegate and Oulamayostep up from bumpers and should also be thereabouts in a race that won't take much winning.
Baltic Storm (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, headway and went 3rd after not being fluent 7th, mistake 3 out, soon one pace, jumped right 2 out, no extra last, 3rd of 6, 24l behind Nabucco (11-5) at Huntingdon 2m 4f (4) gd in Oct.
Cantor 20-1 (9-7) In touch, ridden when weakened 2f out, 7th of 9, 12 1/4l behind Polar Forest (9-5) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (6) pol in Apr.
Fine Tune (IRE) 66-1 (8-8) Always in rear, last of 15, 19 3/4l behind The Dukkerer (9-3) at Chelmsford City 1m 2f hcp (6) pol in Sep.
Guaracha 40-1 (8-10) Tracked leaders, ridden 1f out, soon faded, 9th of 13, 12 1/4l behind Aleator (8-13) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (4) pol in Sep.
Itsnowcato 2-1fav (8-13) Raced wide in touch, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed approaching final furlong, kept on one pace, 4th of 10, 3 3/4l behind Almerzem (9-0) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp (4) pol in Sep.
Montecito (FR) 20-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, pushed along over 6f out, lost place over 3f out, 8th of 11, dist behind Jennifer Eccles (10-7) at Fontwell 2m 2f (6) gd in Oct.
Normandy King (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, well beaten 2 out, 9th of 13, dist behind Arctic Gold (11-0) at Stratford 2m mdn (5) gd in Oct.
Notebook 66-1 (11-10) In touch, not fluent 3rd, weakened from 3 out, 11th of 13, dist behind Great Hall (11-10) at Huntingdon 2m mdn (5) gd in Oct.
Oulamayo (FR) 4-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, driven in 3rd and one pace final 2f, no chance with leading duo, lost 3rd post, 4th of 11, 17 3/4l behind Jennifer Eccles (10-7) at Fontwell 2m 2f (6) gd in Oct.
Silver Dixie (USA) 8-1 (10-12) Took keen hold, held up in last pair, headway 3rd, modest 3rd 5th until weakened and mistake 3 out, went badly left last, lost poor 4th near finish, 5th of 7, dist behind Abidjan (11-5) at Exeter 2m 1f (4) gd in Oct.
Stonegate 4-1fav (11-9) Keen, tracked leaders, pressed leader 4f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 9, 13 1/4l behind Beggars Cross (11-2) at Huntingdon 2m (6) gd in Mar.
Takeitfromalady (IRE) 22-1 (11-0) Took keen hold, mid-division, hit 2nd, headway before 6th, led and edged left next, soon headed, every chance last, stayed on same pace flat, 3rd of 9, 3 1/2l behind Wishing And Hoping (11-0) at Plumpton 2m mdn (5) gd in Oct.
Rectitude 50-1 (10-8) Took keen hold, chased leaders, weakened quickly after 3 out, soon behind, tailed off and pulled up after 2 out, at Newton Abbot 2m 1f mdn (5) gs in Apr.
