tracked leaders, took closer order after 4 out, every chance when fell 2 out
led, ridden from 3 out, headed 2 out, soon weakened
held up in rear, headway after 6th, jumped badly left 4 out, ridden and every chance 3 out, one pace
held up, mistake 7th, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out
tracked leaders, reminders and ridden approaching 4 out, stayed on same pace from next
held up towards rear, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
tracked leader, ridden approaching 4 out, challenged 3 out, led 2 out, driven out (no time taken)
The pick of these at the weights looks to be JIM BOB'S GIRL, who gets the vote ahead of Lucky Dancer and Bradford Boris. The last-named has been tricky for the handicapper to assess after his three starts so far, but he will benefit from Nick Williams' typically patient handling in the long-term and make into a nice chaser. Fast ground and a trip should suit and we will probably see some improvement today. Lucky Dancer has to give around a stone to the selection and steps up markedly in trip here after a couple of previous tries over distances around two miles. Fast ground suits and Evan Williams' gelding did stay two miles on the level when with David Elsworth, so he should be capable of getting home in this and is respected. Jim Bob's Girl has done well for Alison Thorpe, winning three times over extreme trips when chasing last year. If he is able to run to anything like his best chase winning mark of 110 then he will have around a stone in hand on his leading rival here and that should prove too much. Wricksons Bridge has plenty to prove but Keith Goldsworthy will probably have this one winning a staying hurdle during the coming months, and with little else appealing we¿ll side with Jim Bob's Girl.
Lucky Dancer 4-1 (11-5) Chased leader, outpaced approaching 2 out, 4th of 14, 36l behind Carrolls Cross (10-12) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gf in Sep.
Bradford Boris 18-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, pulled hard, not fluent 1st, relegated to last 5th, not fluent last, soon outpaced, last of 4, 11l behind Moorlands Teri (10-5) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gf.
Castlemaine Vic (IRE) 40-1 (10-13) Went left start, in rear, improved into mid-division 3rd, ridden after 5th, weakened approaching 7th, tailed off when pulled up after 3 out, in a race won by Tiger Moss (10-11) at Fontwell 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gf in Sep, 12 ran.
Command Marshal (FR) 8-1 (10-7) Chased leader, led 2nd, headed 4th, hampered after 7th, ridden and weakened 3 out, 9th of 15, 20l behind Nothingbutthetruth (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m nov sell hdl (5) gs in Oct '08.
Wricksons Bridge (IRE) 100-1 (10-9) Close up until mistake 1st, soon behind, reminders 2nd, soon struggling, some late headway from 3 out, 8th of 15, 18l behind Carsonstown Boy (11-12) at Ffos Las 3m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Aug.
Glacial Call (IRE) 66-1 (10-4) Chased leaders to 6th, soon behind, tailed off, 11th of 14, well behind Right Option (10-11) at Newton Abbot 2m 6f mdn hdl (4) gd in Jul.
Jim Bobs Girl (IRE) 15-2 (11-5) Close up, hit 3rd, led approaching 6th, headed 12th, ridden and weakened approaching 16th, 4th of 7, 47l behind Fair Question (11-8) at Bangor 3m 6f hcp chs 0-120 (3) hvy in Feb.
