always behind
mid-division, headway 4 out, challenged 2 out, every chance last, not quicken
held up towards rear, ridden after 4 out, soon weakened tailed off
in touch, mistake 3rd, headway 4 out, pushed along before 3 out, weakened before last
led, headed before 3 out, soon weakened
held up mid-division, weakened before 3 out
mid-division, headway before 5 out, led before 2 out and not fluent, kept on, driven out
always towards rear, mistake 5th, weakened from 6 out, tailed off next, pulled up before 3 out
held up mid-division, headway before 2 out, ridden before last, one pace
tracked leaders, led before 3 out, headed before 2 out, kept on same pace
tracked leader, pushed along and weakened before 3 out
PROGRESS DRIVE (NAP) won a bumper here in February and started favourite on his hurdling bow over this track and trip in October but came up against a useful opponent in Spiritofthegames. That will have put him spot-on for this and he should go one better. Knocklayde was a long way behind him in that bumper on this track and then only had two to beat to land a similar race at Hexham. Vertigo won a Hexham bumper in October then found two miles on the short side on his debut over timber here and this should be his trip. Irish raider Elusive Theatre has won a point and a bumper but hasn't shown much over hurdles while stable companion Indy Island, a winner between the flags in April, ran poorly over fences at Down Royal the following month. King Of Fashion is flattered by his form figures having been well beaten in all starts but Pot Committed has shown a bit of potential in bumpers and is from a decent family of hurdlers.
Border Victor 100-1 (10-12) Always towards rear, last of 9, dist behind Thomas Campbell (10-12) at Kelso 2m (5) gd in May.
King Of Fashion (IRE) 16-1 (10-10) Tracked leaders and keen, went 2nd from before 5th, weakened after 2 out, 4th of 8, 28l behind Altruism (11-2) at Cartmel 2m 1f (4) gs in Aug.
Knocklayde (IRE) 11-4 (10-12) Pressed leader, ridden 3f out, led 2f out, clear inside final furlong, stayed on, won at Hexham 2m (6) hvy in Apr beating Shy (10-5) by 4 1/2l, 3 ran.
Largy Bull (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, outpaced before 3 out, ridden and stayed on to take 4th near finish, never on terms, 4th of 11, 12 1/2l behind Two Taffs (11-5) at Carlisle 2m 4f (4) gs in Oct.
Medal Of Freedom (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, weakened and hit 3 out, 3rd of 6, dist behind Derintoher Yank (11-4) at Carlisle 2m 4f (4) gd in Nov.
Pot Committed (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, led halfway, headed over 2f out, soon ridden and one pace, no impression with front pair from over 1f out, 3rd of 15, 11 1/4l behind Loud And Clear (11-7) at Ayr 2m (6) gs in Oct.
Progress Drive (IRE) 5-2fav (11-0) Tracked leaders, effort to challenge before last, ridden and kept on in clear 2nd flat, no impression with winner, 2nd of 13, 2 1/4l behind Spiritofthegames (11-0) at Ayr 2m 4f mdn (5) gs in Oct.
Real Acrobat (IRE) 150-1 (11-0) Always towards rear, lost touch 4 out, soon pulled up, at Ayr 2m 4f mdn (5) sft in Nov.
Vertigo (IRE) 11-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, in 3rd, ridden before last, weakened soon after, 6th of 12, 15 1/4l behind Master Of Finance (11-0) at Ayr 2m mdn (5) gs in Oct.
Elusive Theatre (IRE) 5-1 (11-5) Led, headed approaching 3 out and soon no impression in 4th, no extra from 2 out, 4th of 14, 27 1/4l behind Bel Ami De Sivola (11-12) at Down Royal 2m mdn gd in Nov.
Indy Island (IRE) 20-1 (11-7) Always behind, trailing 6th, no impression from 5 out, pulled up before 3 out, at Down Royal 2m 4f gd in May.
