raced keenly, tracked leaders on outside, 2nd after 6th, ridden before 3 out, no impression before 2 out, just held on for 2nd
chased leaders, pushed along before 5th, outpaced next, stayed on again and went 3rd between last two, almost snatched 2nd but no chance with winner
held up in last pair, last trio when fell heavily 5th
chased leader, led after 6th, clear before 2 out, kept on strongly, easily
took keen hold, not fluent 1st, held up in last pair, struggling in rear before 4th, hampered next, tailed off when fell heavily 3 out
not fluent 1st, tracked leaders, hit 3rd, ridden and weakened 6th, soon lost touch, tailed off and pulled up before last
tracked leaders, outpaced 6th, stayed on into 3rd before 3 out until between last two, soon one pace
raced wide towards rear, struggling in last pair before 4th, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
led, joined 5th, headed next, chased leading pair, weakened quickly before 3 out, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
The last time Murty's Delight ran over hurdles, he won a Fakenham seller on New Year's Day. He's been running well enough over fences to have a chance here. Archie Rice, nine times a winner on the Flat, finished runner-up in a similar race to this here last time but was beaten 15 lengths. ARTISAN has shown ability over timber in non-sellers and has been performing on the all-weather circuit. He could be good enough for this poor heat though Sunshine Buddy landed a Class 5 handicap at Chepstow in November and a repeat of that would see her go close. Rocky Rebel looks best of the remainder.
Murtys Delight (IRE) 6-4fav (11-7) In rear, headway 5 out, kept on after last, 4th of 6, 2 3/4l behind Forresters Folly (11-6) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp chs 0-100 (5) gd.
Archie Rice (USA) 7-1 (10-7) Held up in 5th, outpaced 3rd, headway into 3rd after 4 out, 2nd approaching 3 out, no chance with very easy winner, 2nd of 7, 15l behind Quebec (10-7) at Exeter 2m 1f nov sell hdl (5) gs.
Artisan 7-1 (10-13) Behind, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on to take 2nd towards finish, not reach winner, 2nd of 12, 1 1/4l behind Rysbrack (11-4) at Wolverhampton 2m NH flat (4) std in Jan '13.
Rocky Rebel 5-1 (11-10) Mid-division, pushed along before and mistake 4th, soon weakened, last of 7, 47l behind Vedani (11-5) at Towcester 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gs in May.
Sparkling Hero 100-1 (10-12) Towards rear, lost touch final 10f, tailed off, last of 8, well behind Howlongisafoot (10-12) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f NH flat (6) gs in Apr '13.
Thelordbewithyou (IRE) 100-1 (11-1) In rear, pushed along and weakened before 4 out, tailed off and pulled up before last, in a race won by Stow (11-5) at Taunton 2m 1f clm hdl (5) gd, 6 ran.
Sunshine Buddy 9-1 (10-1) Tracked leaders, pushed along into 3rd before 4 out, soon ridden and well held, 3rd of 8, 23l behind Dashaway (11-10) at Chepstow 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs.
Lady Cliche 200-1 (10-1) Always behind, tailed off before 3 out, 14th of 16, well behind War Sound (11-0) at Chepstow 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs.
Unify 66-1 (10-12) Led, headed before 5 out, mistake and weakened 3 out, 6th of 7, well behind She's Da One (10-12) at Taunton 2m 3f mrs nov hdl (4) gd.
