always in rear, ridden 3 out, soon weakened
mid-division, lost place 6th, ridden next, pulled up before 2 out
tracked leader, led 4 out, headed next, weakened 2 out
held up towards rear, steady headway after 8th, led after 2 out, clear last
mid-division, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, stayed on
in touch, led 3 out, ridden when hit 2 out, soon headed and weakened
held up towards rear, steady headway 4 out, stayed on until weakened after 2 out
led and keen, awkward jump 1st, headed 4 out, mistake and weakened next
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
in rear, mistake 3rd, weakened 3 out
Evelith Forrest has leading claims and gets the nod accordingly, with Noble Bily, Ballygalley Bob and Ortega taken to give him most to do. Philip Hobbs had a splendid weekend, and can dream of Champion Hurdle glory now with Detroit City, but it is back to the bread-and-butter stuff now, and there should be a bit more prizemoney going to the Minehead yard courtesy of Evelith Forrest. The six-year-old, an ex-Irish pointer, shaped really well on his British debut at Hereford at the end of last month, and although slightly flattered to get within four-lengths of the winner Mount Sandel, he should certainly be good enough to land a run-of-the-mill maiden such as this. Noble Bily failed to see out the three-mile trip at Chepstow and will be suited by this drop back in trip, while Balleygalley Bob in contrast will relish the extra distance after running on at the end of his British bow, also at Chepstow last month. Ortega hails from the up-and-coming yard of Charlie Longsdon and is one for the future, with preference on this occasion for Evelith Forrest.
Ashford Common Lad (IRE) 7-4 (11-1) Keen hold, tracked winner until outpaced final 3f, last of 4, 15l behind Bebedash (10-11) at Lingfield 2m nhf (6) gs in Nov.
BallyGalley Bob (IRE) 9-4fav (11-2) Mid-division and keen, headway 5f out, ridden 4f out, kept on one pace, 4th of 14, 10l behind Private Note (11-2) at Chepstow 2m nhf (6) hvy in Nov.
Blaze Ahead (IRE) 28-1 (10-7) Prominent, led 6th, mistake 8th, soon headed, weakened approaching 2 out, 3rd of 16, well behind Trigger The Light (11-0) at Warwick 2m 5f mdn hdl (4) gs.
Evelith Forrest 20-1 (10-5) Held mid-division, headway 3 out, ridden to chase winner 2 out, no impression, 2nd of 12, 4l behind Mount Sandel (10-12) at Hereford 2m 3f nov hdl (4) hvy in Nov.
Leading Authority (IRE) 11-4 (10-12) Tracked leader until mistake and lost place 3rd, never travelling after, 6th of 8, 36l behind Osana (10-12) at Plumpton 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Noble Bily (FR) 15-8fav (10-10) Held up mid-division, headway to chase leaders 8th, ridden 3 out, weakened last, 3rd of 11, 5l behind Rowley Hill (11-12) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft.
Ortega (FR) 16-1 (11-4) Held up, effort and outpaced 3 out, kept on from next, never dangerous, 4th of 7, 5l behind Custom Design (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Nov.
Spartan Encore 50-1 (10-9) Chased clear leader until 5th, soon weakened, tailed off, 7th of 9, well behind For All Mankind (10-12) at Lingfield 2m 3f nov hdl (4) hvy in Nov.
Cliffords Lady 50-1 (10-0) Behind from 4th, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by For All Mankind (10-12) at Lingfield 2m 3f nov hdl (4) hvy in Nov, 9 ran.
One Step Closer (IRE) 50-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, driven along and weakened over 4f out, tailed off, 6th of 9, well behind Maggie Mathias (10-12) at Folkestone 2m 1f mrs nhf (6) hvy in Nov.
