tracked leader, led approaching 3rd, ridden approaching 2 out, kept on
held up mid-division, hit 3rd, ridden and weakened from 3 out
held up and keen, chased leaders approaching 3 out, one pace from 2 out
held up, tracked leaders 4th, chased leaders when ran out 3 out
in rear, headway after 3 out, ridden and no extra from last
held up, mistake 1st, raced keen, chased leaders, 3 out, weakened approaching next
tracked leaders, weakened approaching 2 out
led, headed approaching 3rd, remained prominent, kept on same pace from last
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened from 2 out
SACRILEGE sets the standard here, but at the likely price it may be a watching brief, while Bet Noir and Dobravany are worthy of inclusion on our shortlist. Since moving to Tim Vaughan's yard, Sacrilege has won a couple of novice hurdle events in succession before being very disappointingly next time out in a similar contest. He's giving weight away all round, but nothing like as much as if this were a handicap. His official rating of 121 compared with Bet Noir's mark of 92 means he's got plenty in hand; only four of these have a rating, with Bet Noir second best. She was runner up in a weaker race than this last time out after failing to finish in her previous couple of outings, and she remains a maiden after 18 races (flat and jumps combined). Dobravany has a first time tongue strap to complement a previously worn visor to try and eradicate jumping errors, which cost him last time out and he remains a maiden after ten attempts. A clear round should see this go the way of Sacrilege.
Sacrilege 3-1 (11-8) Reluctant and soon in rear, headway 4 out, soon tracking leaders, weakened next, 7th of 11, well behind Lady Hillingdon (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Sep.
Best Memory 66-1 (10-12) Almost fell, gave rider no chance and unseated rider 1st, in a race won by Feeling (10-7) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp chs 0-105 (5) gd in Oct, 11 ran.
Dobravany (IRE) 15-2 (10-12) Held up in rear, chased winner from 3 out, not fluent next, no impression, 2nd of 9, 7l behind Tribiani (10-2) at Stratford 2m sll hdl (5) gd in Jul.
Natural Rhythm (IRE) 12-1 (8-13) Led, headed 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 4th of 13, 11l behind On The Loose (8-10) at Ayr 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) sft in Oct (flat).
Royal Rainbow 100-1 (10-12) Took keen hold, in touch, mistake 2nd, blundered 4th, struggling to keep up next, behind when blundered 3 out, 6th of 8, 32l behind Hayes Princess (10-5) at Towcester 2m nh nov hdl (3) gf in Oct.
Bet Noir (IRE) 7-2 (9-12) Held up towards rear, headway 6th, hung badly left from approaching 3 out, soon chasing winner, ran on towards finish, 2nd of 11, hd behind Feeling (10-7) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp chs 0-105 (5) gd in Oct.
Blue Savannah (FR) 150-1 (10-5) Chased leaders, lost place when not fluent 3rd, tried to close briefly after 5th, soon weakened, 10th of 13, well behind Roisin's Prince (10-12) at Towcester 2m sell hdl (5) gs.
Hoar Frost 8-1 (9-12) Always in rear, ridden after 3rd, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Roisin's Prince (10-12) at Towcester 2m sell hdl (5) gs, 13 ran.
Nightboat To Cairo (IRE) 20-1 (10-8) Always behind, tailed off when pulled up before last, in a race won by Freedom Flying (11-1) at Hexham 2m 4f sell hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gs, 14 ran.
