pulled hard tracking leader, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out
held up towards rear, headway 8th, went 3rd and ridden approaching 3 out, held when blundered badly last, went 2nd near finish
mid-division, outpaced and not fluent 7th, stayed on same pace from 3 out, hit 2 out
towards rear, outpaced 6th, stayed on again from 3 out
soon tracking leaders, close up when pulled up before 8th
always travelling well in mid-division, headway 8th, led 3 out, well in command last, ran on well
led until 3 out, soon ridden, 2nd and held when blundered badly last, lost 2nd near finish
chased leaders, ridden after 8th, weakened before next
always towards rear
Nonrunner
Telegonus, Opus Cafe and Not A Doctor look the three to concentrate on in this novices' handicap hurdle and the vote is given to Opus Cafe. The selection hails from a yard that has already been amongst the winners this season and he was a fair third when last seen behind Leo McGarry. That horse went on to frank the form last season and off what looks a fair mark he looks a value bet in an open affair. Telegonus rates the main danger on his latest third behind Court One but he did not appear to get home on that occasion so this longer trip has to be a concern. Not A Doctor is another that could go well on his best form but he has not progressed as expected and he will need to improve for the fitting of first-time blinkers if he is to score. Native Daisy was let down by his jumping last time and he will need to improve in that department if he is to be a threat. Wreford Lake hails from a yard whose runners tend to come on for a run and with this in mind for the winner we return to Opus Cafe.
Knightsbridge Hill (IRE) 33-1 (11-4) Mid-division, ridden 5th, weakened 8th, 11th of 13, well behind Red Echo (11-11) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in Sept.
Opus Cafe (FR) 8-1 (11-5) Held up, steady headway approaching 8th, one pace from 3 out, 3rd of 15, 18l behind Leo McGarry (10-4) at Stratford 2m 6f mdn hdl (4) gs in Feb.
Cockspur (IRE) 25-1 (11-2) In touch, lost place 7th, weakened 3 out, 14th of 16, 46l behind Gus (11-1) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf in Sept.
Caan 20-1 (11-2) Chased leaders until weakened after 8th, tailed off, 10th of 12, well behind Alpha Juliet (10-2) at Plumpton 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf in Sept.
Wreford Lake 15-2 (10-7) Mid-division, ridden 4 out, kept on one pace, 4th of 14, 9l behind Walton Way (11-6) at Ludlow 2m 5f nov sll hdl (5) gd in Feb.
Telegonus 5-1 (10-7) Raced keenly, tracked leader, ridden to lead 2 out, headed approaching last, no extra flat, 3rd of 15, 6l behind Court One (11-0) at Sedgefield 2m 5f cnd hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf in Sept.
Lockstone Lad (USA) 22-1 (10-1) Mid-division, driven halfway, never a danger, 11th of 15, 47l behind Mister Right (11-0) at Lingfield 2m nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf in Sept.
Thunder Child 25-1 (10-12) Prominent, hit 4th, mistake 5th, ridden and weakened before next, 5th of 13, 33l behind Levitski (11-5) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gd in Sept.
Not A Doctor (IRE) 16-1 (10-13) Hampered 3rd, mainly towards rear, 7th of 10, well behind Country Affair (10-13) at N Abbot 2m 3f mdn hdl (5) gs in Aug.
Native Daisy (IRE) 20-1 (10-8) Chased leader until mistake 3rd, remained in touch, blundered 8th, weakened 9th, tailed off when pulled up at the 11th in race won by Spare Change (9-10) at Stratford 2m 5f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf in Sept, 12 ran.
