chased leaders, led 2 out, ridden clear flat
held up in rear, pulled hard, ridden 3 out, headway approaching 2 out, weakened before last
chased leader who was clear until approaching 3rd, challenged 5th, weakened approaching 2 out
chased leaders, ridden 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out
chased leaders, lost place 5th, weakened approaching 2 out
led and clear until approaching 3rd, headed 2 out, weakened last
held up in rear, hit 4th, not fluent 3 out, headway approaching 2 out, stayed to take 2nd towards finish, no chance with winner
mid-division, headway after 5th, every chance when mistake 2 out, blundered last, stayed on same pace
mid-division, headway when not fluent 5th, every chance 2 out, stayed on same pace flat
mid-division, weakened after 5th
always in rear, tailed off 5th
held up in rear, never in contention
We end with a truly wide open Handicap Hurdle in which we just side with the mildly progressive SYNTHE DAVIS while Sahrati has shown promise over timber in a couple of efforts and Lindy Lou can also be considered. Nicky Henderson's string have been in cracking form over the festive period and the selection has shown an improving run of fresults in a brace of starts this term. Related to the stable's fair hurdler Tambourine Davis she should have yet more to offer. Sahrati was pretty useful on the level had has promised much over timber in just a couple of attempts and it could be that a switch in to the handicap ranks will be her forte. Lindy Lou was impressive when winning on her handicap bow last time out and with her four pound mark rise looking lenient she should be a leading player again. Keki Buku as looked capable of winning a race under this burden and looked as good as ever despite a few mistakes when placing on his last start while Novikov's claims were boosted when that one took a seller last time. It's a good race to round things off and we marginally prefer Synthe Davis.
Keki Buku (FR) 11-2 (11-8) Held up, headway to lead after 4 out, headed approaching last, no extra towards finish, 3rd of 15, 1 1/2l behind Classic Dream (10-11) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft.
Elk Trail (IRE) 11-8fav (11-10) Keen, led, headed 3rd, blundered next, led again soon after, mistake 2 out, soon headed narrowly, ridden and kept on one pace from last, 2nd of 6, 8l behind Mickmacmagoole (11-10) at Leicester 2m sll hdl (5) gd.
Phantom Lad (IRE) 9-1 (9-7) 17th of 18, 31l behind Dolphin Bay (9-12) at Killarney 2m 1f 4yo hcp hdl gd in May '07.
Sahrati 10-11fav (11-0) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 2 out, weakened last, 3rd of 9, 4 1/2l behind Duke Of Lucca (11-0) at Taunton 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Dream Catcher (SWE) 12-1 (10-11) In touch, raced keenly, weakened after 3 out, 13th of 17, 45l behind The Polomoche (11-12) at Stratford 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gf in Oct '08.
Dinarius 20-1 (11-9) Held up towards rear, headway 2 out, soon chasing leaders, weakened before last, 6th of 8, 6l behind L'homme De Nuit (11-1) at Sandown 2m nov hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft.
Lindy Lou 6-1 (11-4) Confidently ridden, held up in last pair, smooth headway after 2 out, closed on leader before last, shaken up flat, quickened to lead final 100 yards, cleverly, won at Folkestone 2m 1f mrs hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Nov beating Princess Flame (11-4) by 2 1/2l, 7 ran.
Synthe Davis (FR) 9-2 (10-7) Held up, headway to chase leaders 3 out, went 2nd last, stayed on and held towards finish, 2nd of 9, nk behind Duke Of Lucca (11-0) at Taunton 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Novikov 15-8 (10-9) Tracked leader, led approaching 2 out, stayed on well, won at Uttoxeter 2m sll hdl (4-8yo) (5) sft beating Genari (10-5) by 4 1/2l, 6 ran.
Thompson 66-1 (11-4) Held up, headway approaching 4 out, weakened soon after next, 8th of 11, 23l behind Catch Bob (10-13) at Leicester 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Nov.
Adjami (IRE) 33-1 (10-11) Always behind, struggling after 4 out, tailed off, last of 11, well behind Catch Bob (10-13) at Leicester 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Nov.
Amwell Brave 20-1 (11-11) Held up in rear, not fluent 3 out, headway approaching 2 out, never dangerous, 4th of 11, 18l behind Quinte Du Chatelet (12-4) at Leicester 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf.
Just Rob 150-1 (11-0) Mid-division, nudged along and outpaced after 3 out, tried to close after 2 out, soon no impression and weakened, 12th of 18, 39l behind Zaynar (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 1f 4yo nov hdl G1 (1) gs in Mar.
