with leaders, led 5th, ridden and headed 2 out, weakened approaching last
led, headed 2nd, remained in touch, ridden and weakened 4 out
keen early, headway to lead 2nd, ridden and headed 5th, weakened after next, pulled up before 2 out
tracked leaders, hit 4th and next, outpaced 4 out, soon ridden along, hit 2 out, headway under pressure approaching last, passed 3 horses to take 2nd towards finish
held up, mid-division, good headway to chase leader 3 out, led 2 out, clear approaching last, comfortably
pulled hard, held up in rear, headway to track leaders 5th, ridden and weakened after 3 out
pulled hard, always in rear
in touch, ridden and weakened before 4 out
in rear, ridden 4 out, never near leaders
tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, weakened next
held up well in rear, headway when hit 3 out, soon ridden, went 2nd briefly flat, kept on one pace
The three hurdling debutants make limited appeal in this contest with Night Orbit probably the pick of them and this looks to provide an ideal opportunity for NORDWIND to finally open his account so he gets the vote ahead of Jardin De Vienne. Tim Vaughan's gelding has like the selection had plenty of opportunities and is rated 1lb higher than Nordwind but he has disappointed in his last two starts, latterly over fences, and he may again have to settle for minor honours. Dusk gave little sign of encouragement on his hurdling debut and looks best watched, while Louisiade is moderate on the flat and has failed to complete in two previous starts over hurdles. Trachonitis should strip fitter for his recent return at Huntingdon and makes more appeal than Laconicos, who remains a maiden after 25 starts. The vote then goes to Nordwind who has run to a consistent level of form in his seven starts over hurdles, lost no caste in defeat behind Nortonthorpe Lad at Ludlow last month and he is taken to go one better today.
Jardin De Vienne (FR) 9-2 (11-0) Held up in last pair, mistake 4th, soon driven and lost touch, tailed off, last of 5, 41l behind Restless D'artaix (11-0) at Plumpton 2m 1f beg chs (4) hvy in Feb.
Light Entertainer 100-1 (10-10) In touch to 8th, soon beaten and, 8th of 9, well behind Crashtown Hall (11-3) at Fontwell 2m 6f nov hdl (4) gs.
Louisiade (IRE) 66-1 (10-5) Pulled hard in rear, headway and in touch 3rd, lost place 3 out, soon weakened, behind when fell at the last in race won by Southern Regent (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gd in Aug, 13 ran.
Night Orbit 6-1 (11-0) Slowly into stride, held up, ridden and headway over 2f out, hung left over 1f out, went 3rd inside final furlong until lost strides, 4th of 11, 11l behind Augustus John (11-4) at W'hampton 1m 6f amt hcp (5) pol (Flat).
Nordwind (IRE) 14-1 (9-12) Held up in rear, headway approaching 3 out, not clear run and switched left before 2 out, ran on flat, gaining on winner towards finish, 2nd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Nortonthorpe Lad (11-2) at Ludlow 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Feb.
Shake On It 80-1 (11-2) Soon in touch, chased leaders 3 out, weakened before next, 10th of 13, 33l behind Midsummer Magic (10-9) at Fakenham 2m mdn hdl (5) gd in Jan.
Trachonitis (IRE) 4-1 (11-1) Held up, not fluent 1st, headway 4th, chased leader 5th to 3 out, soon ridden, weakened approaching last, 6th of 9, 21l behind Rockiteer (11-1) at Huntingdon 2m mdn hdl (5) gd.
Bring On The Bling (IRE) 50-1 (9-11) Behind, outpaced 3 out, soon tailed off, 7th of 11, well behind Bonneta (10-7) at Sedgefield 2m 4f sll hcp hdl 0-90 (5) hvy in Jan.
Night Reveller (IRE) 50-1 (10-3) Led, held 5th, driven and tailed off from 3 out, 11th of 15, well behind Janal (10-4) at Catterick 2m mrs hcp hdl (5) gs in Feb.
Dr Brass 40-1 (9-2) Mid-division, headway over 6f out, weakened over 3f out, 9th of 11, 26l behind Laurel Creek (9-0) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Feb (Flat).
Treasure Islands (IRE) 14-1 (9-4) Pulled very hard behind, ridden 3f out, soon lost touch and never dangerous from over 2f out, 7th of 9, 11l behind Soul Singer (8-0) at Kempton 1m 3f mdn aut stk (6) pol in Feb (Flat).
Laconicos (IRE) 12-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, under pressure before 9th, soon no impression, 3rd of 7, 6l behind Peak Seasons (11-2) at Fakenham 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in Jan.
Dusk 25-1 (10-7) Held up, headway 4th, not much room and stumbled after 3 out, soon weakened, 7th of 9, 23l behind Hot Diamond (11-1) at Huntingdon 2m mdn hdl (5) gd.
