mid-division, headway 4 out, led after next, blundered and headed 2 out, ridden and kept on same pace approaching last
mid-division, weakened 3 out
mid-division on outside, headway 3 out, chased leading pair next, soon ridden, edged right and lost 3rd flat
mid-division, effort to chase leaders 3 out, weakened from next
always behind
behind, headway 3 out, ridden next, stayed on to go 3rd flat, no impression
tracked leaders, driven and lost place approaching 2 out, soon weakened
always behind
in touch, lost place before 3 out, soon weakened
disputed lead, led 4th, headed after next, soon weakened
chased leaders, ridden 3 out, no impression from next
always behind
raced wide, in touch, headway to lead 2 out, ridden and stayed on well flat
made most, mistake 6th, headed 4 out, soon weakened
chased leaders to 6th, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up 2 out
VICTORY SURGE may be able to build on his Warwick success and get the better of Minnie Hill and Vivarini amongst others. The selection has been struggling to justify his expensive purchase but he took a step in the right direction when landing a modest handicap at Warwick in good fashion. The second has run two sound races over fences since then whilst the fourth won at Market Rasen on Sunday but he will need to improve in order to overcome a 9lb higher mark in this contest. Minnie Hill didn't run up to the level of her Wincanton win when disappointing at Fontwell but, in any respect, she could have struggled to match strides with the winner who has gone on to complete a five-timer. She's open to further improvement and could be a player here if back to her best. Vivarini looks opposable under a penalty as she rather enjoyed the run of the race at Fakenham where the leaders went off far too fast and of more interest may be She Is A Cracker who faces a more realistic task back in handicap company. French Leave and Timon's Present are two more to note if the market gives out the right vibes but they may struggle to repel Victory Surge.
Galoshes 11-4fav (11-11) Held up in last pair, some headway 6th, ridden before next, soon weakened, last of 11, well behind It's Rumoured (10-0) at Plumpton 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Nov '08.
Pete The Feat (IRE) 28-1 (11-1) Held up, headway after 4 out, chased winner approaching last, kept on, always held, 2nd of 11, 2l behind Stoney's Treasure (11-12) at Plumpton 2m 5f NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (3) sft.
Minnie Hill (IRE) 15-8fav (11-8) Led, raced keenly, headed 3rd, ridden and weakened before last, 4th of 9, 14l behind Noun De La Thinte (10-8) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Dec.
Victory Surge (IRE) 9-1 (11-2) Mistake 1st, soon mid-division, pushed along approaching 4th, headway before next, ridden after 2 out, led approaching last, stayed on well, won at Warwick 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Dec beating Anay Turge (10-6) by 4l, 15 ran.
Mansonn Leda (FR) 16-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, weakened 3 out, 8th of 11, well behind Natural Action (10-4) at Aintree 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Nov.
Knight Woodsman 25-1 (10-7) Held up towards rear and keen, headway to go mid-division 4th, weakened from 3 out, 6th of 12, well behind Quentin Collonges (11-5) at Huntingdon 3m 2f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Timon's Present 33-1 (10-3) Took keen hold, close-up, ridden 5th, soon behind, tailed off, 8th of 11, 29l behind Sure Josie Sure (10-7) at Wincanton 2m mrs nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
True Illusion 66-1 (10-5) Always towards rear, 9th of 12, 28l behind Will Be Done (10-9) at Leicester 2m 4f nh nov hdl (3) sft in Dec.
Dunbrody House 5-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders, weakened approaching 2 out, pulled up before last, in a race won by Tarateeno (11-4) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Dec, 9 ran.
French Leave (IRE) 85-40fav (10-11) Chased leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, no impression, 5th of 13, 23l behind Acknowledgement (10-0) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Aztec Treasure (NZ) 125-1 (10-12) Held up in last trio, well behind and struggling 9th, tailed off, 8th of 9, well behind Aldertune (10-12) at Plumpton 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Hazy Oaks 40-1 (11-12) Held up, ridden over 2 out, no impression over 1 out, 5th of 10, 9l behind Home She Goes (11-4) at Huntingdon 2m Mares Novice Handicap Hurdle (0-100) (4yo+) (4) sft.
Vivarini 17-2 (10-10) Held up, headway 4 out, chased leaders next, led approaching 2 out, clear approaching last, kept on well, won at Fakenham 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft beating Count Boris (11-10) by 20l, 9 ran.
She Is A Cracker (FR) 20-1 (10-7) Held up towards rear, some headway after 2nd last, never nearer, 5th of 14, well behind Oscar Whisky (11-0) at Newbury 2m mdn hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Sally Army 10-1 (9-11) Mid-division until driven and weakened after 3 out, tailed off, 10th of 11, well behind Mix N Match (10-5) at Wincanton 2m nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft in Dec.
