held up and keen, headway after 4th, ridden to chase leaders 4 out, weakened next
in touch, lost place approaching 4th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
tracked winner from 2nd, ridden 2 out, one pace flat
always in rear, keen early
held up, awkward 1st, soon struggling
tracked leaders, jumped slowly 1st, ridden and weakened 4 out
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened 4 out
mid-division, steady headway 4th, ridden to chase leading pair 4 out, weakened 2 out
made all, ridden approaching 2 out, ran on
in touch and keen, hampered and mistake 1st, weakened 4 out
in touch, not fluent 1st, driven 3rd, weakened 4th, tailed off and pulled up before 4 out
mid-division, headway after 4th, outpaced 4 out, plugged on to take 3rd flat
In a tricky little maiden hurdle to open up proceedings INTENSIFIER gets the vote after a decent run last time in similar conditions while Bella Haze and Seefin Mountain are rated as the dangers. The selection put in a greatly improved effort last time to finish a clear second behind the useful enough looking Carrick Boy. That came on similar testing conditions that he'll face here and although he'd ideally like further he has less to do to win this time around. Bella Haze was a winning pointer and dual bumper winner who was a little disappointing on debut over timber last time. She took a keen hold early in that race which may have cost her at the finish and although the result reads as a bit weak it is some of the better heavy ground form of any of these. Seefin Mountain is one who would ideally like faster ground but did show ability when running on well to claim a runners-up spot last time out. Despite the going being a little bit of an unknown the stamina test may suit. Prince Sabaah has shown ability and is from a yard in form so has to be respected too but Intensifier is the one for us here.
Ana Buachaill Dana 50-1 (11-2) Always towards rear, no impression, 9th of 13, well behind Megabill (11-2) at Taunton 2m 1f mdn nhf (5) gs in Nov.
Bold Phoenix (IRE) 100-1 (11-4) Led, headed 1st, tracked winner until weakened after 2 out, 8th of 12, well behind Den of Iniquity (11-4) at Folkestone 2m 1f nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
Heroes 66-1 (11-0) Led until 5th, lost place before 3 out, last of 9, well behind Songe (11-8) at Huntingdon 2m 4yo nov hdl (2) gs in Feb '08.
Intensifier (IRE) 9-1 (10-10) Mid-division, ridden and headway after 3 out, ran on to go 2nd flat, 2nd of 12, 5l behind Carrickboy (11-3) at Taunton 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) hvy.
Lunces Lad (IRE) 200-1 (11-4) Took keen hold, always behind, tailed off, 15th of 16, well behind Riverside Theatre (11-4) at Kempton 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Nahanni King (IRE) (12-0) fell 2 out in race won by Hilltop Castle (12-0) at Tyrella 3m ire ptp gs in Feb '08, 10 ran.
Prince Sabaah (IRE) 12-1 (11-5) In touch, ridden 3 out, weakened 2 out, 4th of 13, 27l behind Eradicate (11-5) at Taunton 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Seefin Mountain (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Prominent, chased leader 3 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace, 2nd of 13, 4l behind King's Forest (10-9) at Taunton 2m 1f nov hdl (3) gs in Dec.
Tigger 200-1 (10-5) Towards rear, mistake 1st, lost touch 7th and pulled up 3 out in race won by Bensalem (10-12) at Chepstow 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov, 16 ran.
Bella Haze 2-1 (10-9) Prominent, led 5th, ridden and headed after 2 out, soon weakened, 3rd of 8, 36l behind Silk Affair (10-4) at Towcester 2m 3f mdn hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
Finnish Melody 40-1 (10-0) Mid-division, headway 3out, ridden approaching 2out, kept on, 5th of 18, 28l behind Calusa Crystal (10-10) at Wincanton 2m mrs nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Native Cherry 200-1 (10-10) Keen, jumped slowly 1st and 2nd, tailed off when pulled up at the 6th in race won by Carole's Legacy (11-3) at Ludlow 2m 5f mrs nov hdl (3) gs in Dec, 12 ran.
Maidstone Mercury (FR) 9-1 (10-5) Led early, prominent, edged right and bumped over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, last of 10, 47l behind Benbane Head (11-4) at Uttoxeter 2m nhf (6) hvy in Jan.
Zafranagar (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) In touch, not fluent 5th, every chance 3 out, weakened 2 out, 6th of 13, 47l behind Zaynar (10-12) at Newbury 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Harry Feversham (IRE) Supreme Leader gelding out of Mistress Tara.
Smiths Tempest 14-1 (9-11) Held up, effort 7f out, soon weakened, 6th of 7, 45l behind No Panic (11-1) at Hereford 2m 1f nhf (6) gd in Mar.
