tracked leader, reminder after 5th, led and blundered next, narrowly headed 2 out, rallied to lead soon after last, ran on well
tracked leaders, ridden after 3 out, kept on same pace
tracked leaders, hit 4th, ridden to challenge after 3 out, one pace from next
in touch, headway to lead 2 out, soon ridden and hard pressed, no extra when headed soon after last
soon pushed along in rear, short lived effort 3 out
always towards rear
always towards rear
led until after 6th, soon beaten
Almizan could be of interest on his first start for two months representing the yard of Gray Moore that does well with their runners at this venue but a safer bet looks to be the progressive Harry Potter, who is preferred to Lillebror. The last mentioned has not run over hurdles for some time but should be fit enough for his return and, being trained by Barney Curley, any support in the market for him would have to be of interest. Wages has been performing well in selling races of late and cannot be ruled out on his return to a handicap, while Sgt Pepper may need the run on his first appearance on a racecourse since April. The vote then goes to Harry Potter, who has been running well over fences of late and returns to hurdles off a lower mark.
Harry Potter (GER) 2-1 (11-12) Led until 4 out, demoted to 3rd just after 3 out, beaten when mistake 2 out, last of 3, 6l behind Cardington (11-0) at Bangor 2m 1f nov chs (4) gf in Aug.
Almizan (IRE) 20-1 (11-4) Mid-division, ridden 5th, hit 6th and weakened, 7th of 13, 12l behind Tamreen (10-12) at Stratford 2m nov hcp hdl (3) gd in Apr.
Love Angel (USA) 200-1 (11-0) Slightly hampered 4th, always behind, 13th of 17, 47l behind Detroit City (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 1f 4yo hdl Grd 1 (1) gd in Mar.
Wages 4-5fav (10-12) Held up and keen, smooth headway 3 out, led next, ridden clear from last, won at Market Rasen 2m 1f sll hdl (5) gs in Aug beating Snob Wells (10-10) by 5l, 6 ran.
Fort Ord (IRE) 11-1 (11-9) Held up, mistake 3rd, lost touch after 8th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Uncle Max (11-7) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs in Aug, 10 ran.
Sgt Pepper (IRE) 11-1 (11-2) Behind, steady headway from 5th, chased leaders 3 out, soon one pace, 4th of 18, 12l behind Gustavo (9-13) at Ludlow 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gd in Dec.
Meltonian 14-1 (10-3) Held up, headway 4th, lost place after 3 out, rallied 2 out, went 2nd last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 9, 9l behind Jacaranda (11-6) at Stratford 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf in Aug.
Lillebror (GER) 15-8 (10-9) In touch in chasing group, ridden and no response before 3 out, pulled up before last pulled up at the last in race won by The Local (11-3) at Plumpton 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (E) sft in Jan '05, 11 ran.
