took keen hold, led 2nd, headed after 5th, chased winner 2 out, no impression flat
mid-division, not fluent 2nd, headway 4th, weakened 3 out, tailed off
chased leaders, jumped left and not fluent 3rd, weakened after 3 out, mistake 2 out
always in rear, not fluent 4th, behind next, mistake 2 out, tailed off
pulled hard, held up in last, some headway when not fluent 3 out, no impression
held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, switched right after 2 out, stayed on same pace flat
pulled hard, held up towards rear, struggling 3 out, never dangerous
led to 2nd, remained prominent, jumped right 3rd, every chance 3 out, weakened last
always prominent, hit 2nd, challenged 4th, led after next, shaken up flat, readily
mid-division, took keen hold, jumped left and not fluent 3rd, weakened after 5th, hit 2 out, tailed off
We open proceedings with two divisions of a novice hurdle and in the first WESTER ROSS sets a decent standard and we'll take the gelding to make experience count and score again at the expense of useful flat performer Ballinteni while Points Of View could be value for a place. An easy winner in a maiden event last time, the selection has been running well this season in both codes. A repeat of his last run should be enough here on ground he does act on. Ballinteni was a three time winner on the level including off a mark of 87. That represents the best flat form in the field so if taking to hurdles just as well he should go close. Points Of View wouldn't have to find much on these terms to mount a challenge and his last two appearances over hurdles have been encouraging while Ferdy Murphy's Lap Of Honour should be noted after offering some hope on his last couple of runs. This is a race full of ifs and buts so after such a taking display last time we'll side with Wester Ross.
Wester Ross (IRE) 7-2 (11-0) Always prominent, went 2nd after 4th, led 6th, mistake 3 out, clear 2 out, not fluent last, ridden out, won at Uttoxeter 2m mdn hdl (4) gd in Oct beating Daring Origyn (10-11) by 8l, 14 ran.
Addwaitya 13-2 (9-7) Held up behind, headway on outside over 2f out, ridden and edged left 1f out, stayed on under pressure to chase winner inside final furlong, just failed, 2nd of 14, hd behind Bollin Dolly (8-13) at Pontefract 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Oct (flat).
Ba Dreamflight 4-1 (9-0) Soon led, headed well over 5f out, ridden over 2f out, one pace final furlong, 5th of 10, 4l behind Arlene Phillips (8-7) at Ffos Las 1m 2f hcp 0-55 (6) gd in Sep (flat).
Ballinteni 200-1 (9-3) Always in rear, 11th of 12, 20l behind Steele Tango (9-3) at Newmarket 1m 1f Grp 3 (1) gd in Oct (flat).
Gunslinger (FR) 7-2 (10-12) Held up in rear, raced keenly, mistake 2nd, headway 3 out, ridden and weakening when jumped left last, 5th of 7, 24l behind Bruslini (10-12) at Haydock 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Lap of Honour (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Held up in last, headway 3 out, not fluent 2 out, weakened flat, 4th of 7, 13l behind Bruslini (10-12) at Haydock 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Points of View 10-3 (11-0) Led, ran wide on bend after 6th, blundered badly and headed 2 out, no extra, 3rd of 13, 11l behind Slip (10-9) at Stratford 2m mdn hdl (3) gf in Oct.
Reland (FR) 13-2 (11-0) Mid-division, headay to go 4th before 3 out, no impression, 4th of 9, 34l behind The Jigsaw Man (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m mdn hdl (3) gf in Oct.
Sereth (IRE) 16-1 (8-13) Tracked leaders, driven to challenge over 3f out, led over 2f out, headed over 1f out, stayed on under pressure, 3rd of 32, 6l behind Darley Sun (8-6) at Newmarket 2m 2f hcp (2) gd in Oct (flat).
Sir Punjabi 12-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, raced keenly, mistake 4th, hit next, weakening when mistake 8th, tailed off, 4th of 5, well behind Baily Storm (11-5) at Fakenham 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gf in Oct.
Farleigh House (USA) 15-8fav (9-6) In touch, good headway to track leading pair 2f out, hard ridden and unable to quicken over 1f out, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong, finished well to take 2nd near finish, not reached winner, 2nd of 13, nk behind Ithinkbest (9-0) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Oct (flat).
