held up in touch, headway approaching 3 out, weakened last
in touch, went 2nd 5th, one pace from 2 out
chased leaders, outpaced from 3 out, stayed on from last
held up, headway 5th, one pace 2 out
held up, tailed off from 5th, pulled up before 2 out
took keen hold, prominent, weakened approaching 3 out
held up towards rear, headway going to 3 out, one pace
held up, weakened after 5th
led, clear going to 3 out, headed approaching last, kept on same pace
held up mid-division, headway going to 3 out, went 2nd 2 out, led approaching last, easily
held up, tailed off 4 out, pulled up before 3 out
This is a tight race to call and we will put forward SERETH to get the better of Spring Jim and Moghaayer. Barney Curley's runner is certainly one to note in the market as the yard do like a tilt at the ring, so any market confidence would be a big plus. He arrives here having shaped with plenty of promise on both of his starts over hurdles. He will handle the ground and he can make it two wins from three in this sphere. James Fanshawe sends Spring Jim to post who won on his hurdles debut at Leicester back in November. He won easily that day and he has to be respected here, but his best form is on fast ground and although he handles a bit of cut, any further rain would be a worry for him. Moghaayer showed some fair form in France and he put in a workmanlike performance to win on his British debut at Ludlow back in November. He doesn't look entirely straightforward and he will need to improve plenty to win this. Howard Johnson has his string in good form right now so County Colours is worth some consideration. He is making his hurdling debut today but he has run well in bumpers and he has to enter calculations on his debut over hurdles. Sereth looks a smart prospect and he gets the vote.
Champtho (FR) 9-2 (11-2) Held up towards rear, took keen hold, hampered 3rd, headway next, weakening when not fluent 3 out, tailed off, 11th of 15, well behind Dr Livingstone (10-12) at Leicester 2m nh nov hdl (3) gf in Dec.
Moghaayer 5-6fav (11-0) Tracked leaders, raced keenly, went 2nd approaching 3 out, soon ridden, challenging when not fluent 2 out, wandered approaching last, led flat, just held on, won at Ludlow 2m mdn hdl (4) gd in Nov beating Disco Jack (11-0) by hd, 14 ran.
Sereth (IRE) 6-4fav (11-5) Led, joined 3 out, headed before next, no chance with winner before last, 2nd of 13, 15l behind Finian's Rainbow (11-0) at Newbury 2m nh nov hdl (3) gs in Nov.
Spring Jim 10-11fav (10-12) Held up, chased leaders in 3rd approaching 3 out, shaken up to lead after last, kept on well, won at Leicester 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Nov beating Astrolibra (10-5) by 4l, 8 ran.
Bollin River 25-1 (11-0) Prominent, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out, 6th of 7, 11l behind Prolinx (11-0) at Southwell 2m NH flat (4) std.
County Colours (IRE) 5-6fav (11-4) Held up, headway approaching 4f out, chased winner 3f out, no impression, 2nd of 16, 6l behind Fairynuff (11-4) at Catterick 2m NH flat (5) gs in Dec.
Quite The Man (IRE) 11-2 (11-7) Held up in 6th, headway over 5f out, weakened over 1f out, 4th of 7, 14l behind Red Not Blue (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m NH flat (6) gd in Oct.
Spate River 50-1 (11-2) Held up, never dangerous, 8th of 14, well behind No Rules (11-5) at Fakenham 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) sft.
Bogside Theatre (IRE) 9-4 (10-5) Led, clear 3rd to 6th, driven and headed before 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up before next (bbv), in a race won by Candle (11-0) at Wetherby 2m mrs nov hdl (4) sft in Nov, 8 ran.
La Sarrazine (FR) 5-2 (10-10) Held up towards rear, steady headway into mid-division 4 out, chased leaders after next, disputing lead 2 out, weakened before last, 4th of 12, 9l behind Dot's Delight (10-5) at Lingfield 2m mrs nov hdl (4) hvy in Nov.
Liskaveen Beauty 25-1 (8-10) Pulled hard, prominent, hampered and lost place over 4f out, behind from over 2f out, last of 10, 27l behind Alucica (8-7) at Lingfield 7f hcp (6) pol in Jun '07 (flat).
