chased winner until awkward and driven along 5th, chased winner under pressure again before 2 out, no impression soon after, well held when not fluent last
chased leading pair, chased winner 5th until driven approaching 2 out, weakened between last 2
jumped well, made all, in command soon after 2 out, kept on strongly and drew clear flat
not fluent, chased leaders in 4th, mistake and weakened 6th, struggling when mistake 3 out, tailed off
keen hold early, held up in rear, ridden and lost touch 6th, soon tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
chased leading trio, pushed along approaching 3 out, struggling from next, no chance when hit last
not fluent early, held up, driven in modest 5th and struggling 3 out, tailed off
In the opening race ANAK should bounce back after falling last time and add to his 100% course record in this Juvenile Novices' Hurdle at the expense of Westlin Winds and Peter Grimes who both won on their hurdles bows. Well thought of by connection the selection got off to the perfect start over timber with an easy victory over course and distance. He seemed to be getting tired when falling near the end of a bigger stamina test last time but now back this trip he should be confirming his promise further. Westlin Winds was also an easy winner of his first and only hurdles starts. The form from the race has been franked but there is a slight doubt he'll go on the ground. Peter Grimes took a soft ground maiden hurdle at Bangor on his opening gambit in this sphere. The lines have been given a couple of boosts since and he should improve for the run. Diktalina shaped well on his own timber debut but based on his flat form will need to improve markedly for the run to get the better of selection Anak.
Anak (IRE) 1-6fav (11-5) Led until 4th, remained prominent, slow 6th, fell next, in a race won by Comprimario (10-7) at Fontwell 2m 2f 3yo nov hdl (4) sft, 5 ran.
Peter Grimes (IRE) 3-1 (10-12) Held up, jumped right 1st, headway 5th, ridden to lead 2 out, kept on well from last, won at Bangor 2m 1f 3yo mdn hdl (4) sft in Nov beating George Nympton (10-12) by 3l, 6 ran.
Westlin' Winds (IRE) 14-1 (10-9) Tracked leader, headway to lead when bumped 2 out, 5 lengths clear last, driven and stayed on well flat, won at Hereford 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (3) gs in Nov beating Causeway King (11-2) by 10l, 7 ran.
Flannel (IRE) 9-1 (10-12) Raced keenly, held up behind, kept on from 2 out, never nearer, 5th of 10, 36l behind Causeway King (10-12) at Warwick 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Stellar Cause (USA) 10-1 (9-0) Led, headed 4f out, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out, 6th of 7, 13l behind Buddhist Monk (9-10) at Haydock 1m 2f 3yo & 4yo sll (4) gf in Sep (flat).
Diktalina 14-1 (10-2) Held up, headway and in touch 6th, effort 2 out, soon ridden and kept on same pace, 3rd of 9, 4 1/2l behind Mymateeric (10-9) at Fakenham 2m 3yo mdn hdl (5) gs in Nov.
The Saucy Snipe 10-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, ridden over 4f out, soon lost place, no danger after, 10th of 12, 22l behind Tinkerbelle (8-11) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Oct (flat).
