held up mid-division, headway to chase leaders approaching 3 out, ridden approaching next, kept on same pace
held up towards rear, fell 2nd
held up, dropped rear 4th, headway approaching 3 out, led on bit approaching last, soon clear
in rear, reminders soon after 1st, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off
chased leader, led approaching 2nd, headed approaching last, one pace
chased leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, not fluent last, kept on, no chance with winner
held up mid-division, effort approaching 3 out, soon weakened
held up, reminders after 6th, head way 3 out, one pace
chased leaders, challenging when hit 3 out, weakened 2 out
held up, head way approaching 9th, kept on from last
led, headed approaching 2nd, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off
in touch, stayed 8th, weakened approaching 2 out
A tough novices handicap hurdle rounds off the card but something has to win and the main protagonists look to be I Hear Thunder, Nelson's Spice and Ballamusic and the narrow vote is given to I Hear Thunder. The selection won a chase in good style last time out when beating Shannon's Pride. Returns to hurdles on a lower mark and under conditions that suit he looks the one to be on. Nelson's Spice rates the main danger as he beat Fordingbridge last time out but this looks tougher and he looks vulnerable under his penalty. Ballamusic is another worthy of respect as he won well on his last start of lat season but he will do well to win under top weight after a 192 day break. Souffleur is another last time out winner but is unproven over the trip while Phone In is more exposed than most and for the winner we return to the well handicapped I Hear Thunder.
Ballamusic (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) In touch, ridden to join leader 3 out, led last, kept on, won at Chepstow 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Apr beating Templer (11-7) by a hd, 15 ran.
Nelson's Spice (IRE) 11-8fav (11-4) Held up in last, blundered 6th, headway when forced slightly wide approaching 3 out, led 2 out, ridden out, won at Worcester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf in Jun beating Fordingbridge (10-10) by 2 1/2l, 11 ran.
Souffleur 13-2 (10-9) Mid-division, headway approaching 8th, went 2nd after 3 out, led between last two, not fluent last, ran on, won at Bangor 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gd beating Cyd Charisse (10-7) by 1 1/2l, 13 ran.
Phone In 6-1 (10-7) Held up, headway after 6th, went 2nd after 8th, ridden after 2 out, took narrow lead before last, all out, won at Stratford 2m 6f mdn hdl (4) gf in Sept beating Cave of The Giant (11-0) by 1l, 12 ran.
Action Strasse (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, ridden and every chance 3 out, hit next and last, one pace flat, 3rd of 15, 11l behind Merrymaker (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gd in Dec.
Incas (FR) 8-1 (10-4) Mid-division, headway to chase winner from 3 out, kept on one pace, 2nd of 11, 3 1/2l behind Irish Raptor (10-6) at Perth 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf in Sept.
Just Smudge 7-1 (11-2) Led, headed 4th, weakened after 2 out, 7th of 16, 27l behind Valuta (10-9) at Hereford 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gf in Apr.
Dashing George (IRE) 14-1 (10-4) Mid-division, mistake 3 out, soon weakened, 12th of 20, 21l behind Native Royal (11-2) at Tipperary 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-102 gd.
El Dee (IRE) 11-1 (10-12) Held up in touch, not fluent 9th, weakened 2 out, 5th of 10, 18l behind Herecomestanley (11-6) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf.
Sharkeys Dream (FR) 7-4fav (10-13) Mid-division, close up 3 out, led briefly next, ridden and one pace from last, 2nd of 14, 13l behind Troys Run (10-10) at Hexham 3m mdn hdl (5) gs in May.
I Hear Thunder (IRE) 12-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, ridden to lead 2 out, stayed on strongly from last, won at Aintree 2m 5f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Nov beating Shannon's Pride (10-6) by 7l, 20 ran.
Telegonus 3-1 (10-10) Mid-division, headway 8th, led 3 out, clear last, ran on well, won at Exeter 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf beating Opus Cafe (11-12) by 11l, 9 ran.
