tended to jump left, pressed leader until weakened 3 out, weakened quickly and hit next, tailed off
held up in last pair, ridden along after 3 out, stayed on same pace from next
chased leaders, driven along before 3 out, stayed on same pace from next, went modest 3rd flat
held up, smooth headway to 2nd before 3 out, led 2 out, headed soon after, chased winner to before last, weakened and lost 3rd flat
held up in touch, ridden along after 4 out, weakened approaching 3 out
chased leaders, ridden and weakened before 2 out
held up towards rear, smooth headway on outside soon after 3 out, challenged on bit 2 out, soon led, pushed along and kept on well flat (no time taken)
held up in rear, smooth headway approaching 3 out, chased leaders before next, went 2nd before last, ridden and one pace flat
pulled hard, held up in touch, blundered 3rd, ridden and no response 3 out, struggling soon after
made most until headed and weakened 3 out
Nonrunner
Ocean Transit comes here in form and looks a leading player in her hat-trick bid, but we will take her on with GOLD AWARD. Nicky Henderson's six-year-old has not been seen since falling in a better race than this behind Tataniano at Cheltenham in the spring. He won a bumper on good to soft, so should act on this ground, and looked likely to at least make the frame behind the Nicholls charge before tipping up. He has certainly not yet realised his full potential and should be fit enough to do himself justice first-time. Ocean Transit will relish conditions and has won at both Taunton and Ludlow over similar trips just lately. A 4lb rise since that last success is fair enough and she is much respected. Ardistan has just his second start for Jonjo O'Neill and is likely to be a fair bit better for his latest run at Market Rasen, although this trip is plenty short enough for him. Aather is proving tricky to win with, but racing from the same mark as when in the frame at Sandown he has to be considered a player in what is not a strong race. Azione is interesting, returning as she does after a 636-day absence. She is 2lbs higher than when scoring on soft ground at Warwick in the spring of 2008 so has to have claims, though her fitness would have to be taken on trust if you wager. Sweet World has become immensely frustrating to follow, and we select Gold Award to live up to his name.
Nothing Is Forever (IRE) 11-4fav (11-5) Led, headed approaching 2 out, weakened quickly and pulled up, in a race won by Currahee (9-11) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Apr, 7 ran.
Cosavita (FR) 125-1 (10-12) Held up, always behind, 9th of 10, well behind Santia (10-12) at Wetherby 2m mrs lst hdl (1) gd in Oct.
Marley Roca (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) In touch, 6th & when held when fell 3 out, in a race won by Finian's Rainbow (11-0) at Newbury 2m nh nov hdl (3) gs in Nov, 13 ran.
Sweet World 11-4 (10-8) Took keen hold, headway to go 3rd after 2nd, led after 3 out, ridden and headed next, left 2nd, kept on one pace flat, 2nd of 4, 4 1/2l behind Oddshoes (11-12) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) hvy.
Ardistan (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Held up, struggling 4 out, never on terms, 6th of 7, 44l behind Deep Reflection (10-8) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft.
Superfly 14-1 (10-11) Held up in rear, weakened after 3 out, tailed off, 6th of 10, 39l behind Classic Chic (11-0) at Hereford 2m 4f clm hdl (4) sft.
Aather (IRE) 8-1 (11-5) Held up in rear, headway approaching 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on flat, nearest finish, 3rd of 8, 3 1/2l behind L'homme De Nuit (11-1) at Sandown 2m nov hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft.
Ocean Transit (IRE) 4-1 (11-3) Mistake 1st, held up in touch, ridden approaching 3 out, stayed on approaching next, left 1 length down in 2nd last, switched left and closed flat, stayed on to lead final 100 yards, won at Ludlow 2m Mares Handicap Hurdle (0-115) (3yo+) (4) sft beating Covert Mission (11-6) by nk, 7 ran.
Murphy (IRE) 15-2 (11-1) Took keen hold, led after 1st, hit 5th, headed approaching 2 out, beaten when hampered 2 out, 6th of 13, 32l behind Viable (11-4) at Huntingdon 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Nov.
Azione 6-1 (10-11) Led until after 1st, chased winner, raced alone on inside, hit 3 out, soon ridden and weakened, 7th of 8, 46l behind Spider Boy (9-7) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Mar '08.
Gold Award 7-1 (11-0) Steadied in touch, hit 3 out, blundered 2 out, ridden and disputing 6 lengths down in 2nd when fell last, in a race won by Tataniano (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 1f nh nov hdl (2) gd in Apr, 9 ran.
Walamo (GER) 8-1 (11-1) Held up mid-division, tracked leaders approaching 4th, weakened from 3 out, 9th of 14, 34l behind Larks Lad (10-12) at Taunton 2m 3f nov hdl (3) gs in Nov.
