raced keenly, tracked leaders, headway on inside when hampered 4 out, went 2nd before next, led before 2 out, drew clear approaching last, ran on, eased towards finish
tracked leaders, mistake 2nd, outpaced 3 out, no impression from next
not fluent 1st, led or disputed lead, went on after 6th, headed before 2 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace, no impression with winner approaching last
led or disputed lead until after 6th, mistake 4 out, soon lost place, no impresssion from next
held up in touch, outpaced 4 out, weakened next, tailed off
tracked leaders, headway 4 out, effort to chase leading pair when not fluent next, soon ridden and outpaced, no impression before next
held up in last pair, mistake 3rd, struggling 6th, lost touch 4 out, tailed off next, soon pulled up
pulled hard, held up in last pair, in touch 5th, lost place 4 out, weakened next, tailed off
Honoured didn't pull up any trees on his hurdling debut over C&D last August and has been well beaten on the Flat since. There are possibilities about Clowance House, however, with Venetia Williams' yard back in form. He was second to the smart Brampour at Taunton just under a year ago and should find a race this term. But Donald McCain could hold the key to this with newcomers ABSINTHE and Record Breaker. The former was the best of the pair on the level and the fact that Jason Maguire has chosen him ahead of his stablemate suggests he's the stable pick today.
Absinthe (IRE) 8-1 (9-3) Slowly into stride, headway to chase leaders 8f out, stayed on to 2nd over 1f out, ridden and no impression on winner final furlong, 2nd of 14, 3 1/2l behind Demolition (8-12) at Nottingham 1m 2f hcp 0-95 (3) gd in Oct (flat).
Clowance House 5-4fav (11-3) Held up tracking leaders, closer order before 8th, ridden and chasing leaders when hampered at path before 2 out, hit 2 out, soon beaten, 4th of 6, 17l behind Sum Laff (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Crescent Beach (IRE) 9-2 (11-0) Took keen hold, held up in rear, headway over 3f out, driven along over 2f out, plugged on one pace, 4th of 7, 9l behind I Shot The Sheriff (11-0) at Southwell 2m NH flat (6) gd in Nov.
Dartford Warbler (IRE) 100-1 (11-0) Held up, jumped left, always towards rear, behind 8th, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Buddy Bolero (11-0) at Folkestone 2m 6f mdn hdl (4) sft in Dec, 15 ran.
Honoured (IRE) 2-1 (10-8) Held up in rear, headway to chase winner 3out, soon ridden, no extra flat, 3rd of 4, 6l behind Jim Tango (11-2) at Bangor 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Aug.
Record Breaker (IRE) 12-1 (9-5) Behind, pushed along over 6f out, headway on outer over 1f out, led inside final furlong, kep ton well, won at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Oct beating Raktiman (9-2) by 1/2l, 13 ran (flat).
Touch of Style (IRE) 100-1 (10-10) Mid-division on outside, weakened 3 out, tailed off, 13th of 14, well behind Salubrious (10-10) at Taunton 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Court Wing (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Took keen hold in mid-division, weakened 3 out, behind when went badly left next, tailed off, 15th of 16, well behind Tempest River (10-12) at Hereford 2m 1f mrs nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
