led, headed and not fluent 2nd, stayed prominent until weakened after 5th, tailed off when pulled up before last
keen, with leader, led approaching 3rd, headed approaching 3 out, weakened quickly, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
with leaders, led last, ridden out
behind, headway approaching 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, soon weakened
always towards rear
mid-division, ridden 5th, soon weakened
led 2nd to approaching 3rd, led again and not fluent 3 out, soon headed, weakened approaching last
in touch, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up next
towards rear, headway after 5th, every chance after 3 out, mistake 2 out, soon ridden, edged left and weakened after last
chased leaders until weakening and mistake 3 out
mid-division, headway 4th, ridden approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last
held up, headway after 5th, weakened 2 out
behind, kept on from 3 out, never dangerous
keen and jumped left, mid-division, lost place 4th, headway approaching 3 out, weakened approaching last
always behind, tailed off when fell 2 out
mid-division, ridden after 5th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before last
Those with hurdling experience have yet to set the world alight, so a chance is taken with Total Turtle, who gets the nod over Protective and Akarem, while a move for Dhehdaah will be interesting to note. The last named has shown enough ability to suggest that he can win a race in this sphere - the form of his latest start looking his most solid to date after Nous Voila followed up at Leicester on Thursday. However, Pam Sly's gelding has looked a little short of pace and may be seen to better effect when he is upped in trip. Akarem had some useful form on the Flat when trained by Kevin Prendergast in Ireland until the end of last season. He ran a blinder to finish second in the November Handicap at Doncaster in his first start for Karl Burke and it is hard to envisage that he will not be capable of making an impact at some point. Watch the betting market carefully where he is concerned. Protective ran well here when he made his hurdles debut in February of this year. However, things have not really panned out for him since then and, as he was the last over the finishing line in the fore mentioned November Handicap, he may be best watched today. Which brings us back to Total Turtle, who has always created the impression that he needs a good test of his stamina. The son of Turtle Island will relish every drop of rain that hits the course and, as his yard's jumpers have started to turn the corner, his class may be enough to see him through on this occasion.
Akarem 33-1 (9-3) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, stayed on to go 2nd inside final furlong, no chance with winner, 2nd of 21, 7l behind Come On Jonny (8-0) at Doncaster 1m 4f hcp 0-110 (2) hvy in Nov (Flat).
Barathea Blazer 20-1 (9-13) Mid-division, headway to chase leaders over 4f out, soon ridden, weakened over 2f out, 14th of 16, 43l behind Shabernak (9-7) at Doncaster 1m 7f hcp 0-105 (B) gd in Sept '03 (Flat).
Border Castle 85-40fav (10-0) Soon led, pushed along over 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 9, 5l behind Ofaraby (10-0) at York 1m 2f hcp (3) gs in Jul (Flat).
Calculaite 17-2 (8-11) Led, driven over 2f out, headed over 1f out, kept on until no extra well inside final furlong, 7th of 17, 7l behind Princelywallywogan (8-7) at Pontefract 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Oct (Flat).
Dhehdaah 10-1 (10-12) In touch, ridden to chase winner 2 out, one pace towards finish, 2nd of 21, 2 1/2l behind Nous Voila (10-12) at Leicester 2m nov hdl (D) gs in Nov.
Protective 100-1 (11-0) Lost place and reminders after 3rd, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Faasel (11-0) at Aintree 2m nov hdl Grd 1 (A) gs in Apr, 12 ran.
Trust Rule 33-1 (11-0) In touch till mistake 4th, soon behind, 5th of 8, 38l behind Wanango (11-6) at Haydock 2m lst nov hdl (A) gs in Nov.
Selective 8-1 (10-12) In touch, ridden after 3 out, weakened 2 out, 8th of 17, 26l behind Siberian Highness (10-5) at Warwick 2m nov hdl (E) gd in Nov.
