held up, mid-division, headway halfway to track leaders, led last, pushed out
tracked leaders, pushed along and dropped to rear halfway, tailed off when pulled up before last
towards rear, weakened halfway, tailed off when pulled up before last
tracked leader, led halfway, headed last, kept on same pace
in touch, headway 2 out, effort approaching last, one pace under pressure
in touch, ridden 2 out, soon outpaced
always behind
towards rear, outpaced after 2 out, headway under pressure approaching last, stayed on same pace flat
mid-division, headway approaching 2 out, soon ridden, weakened approaching last
led, headed halfway, weakened 3 out
A wide open handicap hurdle here and many would have chances on their best form but the principals look to be Jolika Ball Games and The Names Bond and the narrow vote is given to Jolika. The selection was a good second in a better race behind Isellido last time out and with the drop in trip in his favour he looks the one to be on off what looks a handy mark. Ball Games rates the main danger as he won a seller in good style last time out when beating Maunby Rocker but this looks tougher and he may struggle under his penalty. The Names Bond is another worthy of respect as he was a fair second behind Telouse le trec last time out. However he returns to hurdles off a high enough mark and for that reason he is opposed. Wynn Dixie has dropped to a handy mark and could go well at a price but his best form is when he has an easy lead and that does not looks likely here so he is passed over on this occasion. Of the remainder Polar Gunner is from a yard in form and is another with eachway claims but he may just need the run after a 197 day absence and for the winner we return to Jolika.
The Names Bond 5-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, ridden and every chance when hit 3 out, kept on from last, 2nd of 9, 2l behind Toulouse (11-9) at Southwell 2m 1f hcp chs 0-110 (E) gd in May.
Komoto 25-1 (10-11) Towards rear, kept on same pace from 3 out, 10th of 22, more than 8l behind More Like It (10-11) at Naas 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-100 gs in Oct.
Jolika (FR) 3-1co-fav (11-1) Held up, reminders 12th, headway when hit 15th, ridden and stayed on to 2nd before last, no impression with winner, 2nd of 6, 4l behind Isellido (10-9) at Hexham 3m 1f chs (E) gd in Apr.
Polar Gunner 9-2 (11-2) In touch, led 5th, ridden and headed before 2 out, soon weakened, 6th of 8, 19l behind Encore Cadoudal (10-10) at Perth 2m hcp chs 0-125 (D) sft in Apr.
Bramantino (IRE) 9-1 (10-6) In touch, pushed along approaching 3 out, ridden and weakened after next, 9th of 22, 26l behind Lawgiver (10-5) at Kelso 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gs in Apr.
Silver Seeker (USA) 25-1 (10-4) Held up towards rear, ridden along 5th, never a factor, 6th of 14, 35l behind Bogus Dreams (10-11) at Ayr 2m nov hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gs in Mar.
Wyn Dixie (IRE) 6-1 (11-0) Held up, effort 2 out, soon weakened, 8th of 10, 24l behind Lofty Leader (10-9) at Carlisle 2m 1f cnd hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gf in Oct.
Ball Games 12-1 (11-1) Mid-division, headway 5th, led and mistake 2f out, ridden and stayed on flat, won at Sedgefield 2m 1f sll hcp hdl 0-90 (G) gs in Oct beating Maunby Rocker (11-4) by 1 1/2l, 14 ran.
