mid-division, outpaced after 2 out, weakened last
towards rear, headway after 3 out, outpaced next, soon beaten
led, mistake 5th, ridden and headed between last 2, weakened flat
mistake 1st, behind, headway on inside when blundered 2 out, chased leaders under pressure when blundered again last, weakened flat
mid-division on outside, outpaced before 2 out, soon behind, headway under pressure on inside approaching last, rallied flat, never reached leaders
mid-division, outpaced 2 out, driven and kept on same pace approaching last, no impression
tracked leaders, driven and outpaced after 2 out, ridden after last, stayed on to go 2nd final 50 yards, no impression
held up mid-division, effort after 2 out, chased leaders last, ridden and kept on flat, no impression
mid-division, outpaced 2 out, headway under pressure between last 2, challenged when not fluent last, ridden to lead flat, stayed on well to go clear final 75 yards
tracked leaders, effort after 2 out, led approaching last, ridden and headed flat, no extra and dropped to 5th final 50 yards
always behind, struggling 4 out
tracked leader, hit 4th, led between last 2, headed approaching last, ridden and no extra flat
hampered 1st, behind, outpaced on outside 2 out, soon ridden, weakened before last
mid-division on inside, chased leaders 2 out, ridden and every chance after last, no extra final 110 yards
Dare Me looked an exciting prospect last season but a long absence and a high handicap mark look against him though he's one to note for the future. Sivola De Sivola showed himself to be a very progressive type when landing a tough handicap at Newbury in November but that was over an extended three miles and this looks on the short side. Koup De Kanon sauntered home in a minor event at Catterick and though this is much tougher he's another for the future. Art Professor won this a year ago from a 9lb lower mark and a recent run at Kempton will have set him up nicely for another crack. He's a definite contender but Paul Nicholls won this with the four-year-old Five Dream in 2008 and wouldn't be letting HINTERLAND loose in such a competitive handicap unless he believed him to be well in and the youngster, who made classy performer Baby Mix pull out the stops here last time, should get a boost from that winner in the opening race today.
Nearby 40-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, outpaced before 2 out, kept on same pace approaching last, weakened flat, 14th of 23, 20l behind Brampour (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) gs in Nov.
Battle Group 5-4 (10-11) Tracked leaders in 3rd but in rear, jumped left 2nd and pushed along looking reluctant to race, mistake 6th, chased winner briefly before 13th, jumped left 5 out and hung badly left, went poor 2nd 3 out, kept on and no impression, 2nd of 3, 10l behind Iron Chancellor (11-0) at Southwell 3m beg chase (4) gs.
The Jigsaw Man (IRE) 12-1 (11-9) Led, driven and headed after 3 out, weakened next, 5th of 10, 33l behind Arab League (10-3) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Dare Me (IRE) 1-6fav (11-4) Made all, hit 4th, clear 2 out, easily, won at Exeter 2m 1f nh nov hdl (3) sft in Nov '10 beating Alla Svelta (10-12) by 4 1/2l, 18 ran.
Sivola De Sivola (FR) 7-2fav (10-13) Chased leadrs, pushed along to challenge 3 out, led before 2 out, well in command last, forged clear flat, won at Newbury 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (3) gs in Nov beating Kasbadali (10-11) by 5l, 12 ran.
First In The Queue (IRE) 11-1 (9-11) Chased leaders, disputing 2nd 3 out, every chance 2 out, weakened and hit last, 5th of 11, 11l behind Celestial Halo (11-12) at Newbury 2m hcp hdl (2) sft in Dec.
Art Professor (IRE) 7-2 (11-8) Chased leaders, disputing 2nd when slow jump 4th, went 2nd after 3 out, chased winner from 2 out, dropped to 3rd before last, soon outpaced by leading pair, 3rd of 7, 6l behind Lifestyle (11-11) at Kempton 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Dec.
Hinterland (FR) 2-7fav (11-7) Led, not fluent 4th, headed before last, kept on same pace, ridden and no impression with winner flat, 2nd of 7, 7l behind Baby Mix (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 1f 3yo hdl (2) gd in Dec.
Module (FR) (10-5) 98th of 10, 24l behind Ozamo (10-7) at Auteuil(FR) 2m 2f hdl gs in Nov.
Koup De Kanon (FR) 5-2fav (11-12) Prominent, led 3 out, readily, won at Catterick 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) sft beating Franks A Million (11-6) by 9l, 10 ran.
Secret Dancer (IRE) 14-1 (11-9) Jumped left, raced wide and always behind, hit 3rd, tailed off from 6th, 7th of 9, well behind Mountainous (11-4) at Ffos Las 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft.
High Storm (IRE) 40-1 (11-7) Last pair, pushed along before 3rd, outpaced 6th, no chance after, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Captain Conan (11-7) at Sandown 2m nov hdl Grade 1 (1) sft, 5 ran.
All The Winds (GER) 8-1 (10-7) Held up towards rear, pushed along 4 out, weakened after 3 out, 6th of 7, 20l behind Highway Code (11-8) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) hvy in Dec.
Able Deputy 5-2fav (11-5) Tracked leaders, outpaced after 3 out, stayed on to chase winner before last, no impression, 2nd of 12, 27l behind Oscar Nominee (11-2) at Southwell 2m NH mdn hdl (5) gs.
