led, hit 3rd, headed soon after 3 out, no impression after next, left modest 3rd and hampered last
in touch, ridden and struggling after 6th, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
chased leader to 4th, challenged approaching 3 out, 1 length down and ridden when fell last
chased leaders, pushed along approaching 6th, led soon after 3 out, 1 length ahead last, driven flat, no extra and headed final 100 yards
chased leaders, went 2nd approaching 4th to approaching 3 out, still every chance, weakened from 2 out, left modest 4th last
mistake 1st, held up in touch, ridden approaching 3 out, stayed on approaching next, left 1 length down in 2nd last, switched left and closed flat, stayed on to lead final 100 yards
held up in touch, weakened and lost touch before 3 out
Nonrunner
CANDLE looks worth chancing here with conditions likely to be perfect for the mare and she can triumph over Dabaratsa and Ocean Transit. Tom George's runners haven't been in the greatest of form but that couldn't be said of this one who won a pair of novice hurdles before finding two smart animals too good when stepped up to listed company. That effort was still a commendable one though and whilst she returns to handicap ranks some 24lbs higher than when held in similar company there seems no doubt that she is an improved performer of late and two miles on soft ground look ideal conditions. Dabaratsa is a big danger from the quality Tim Vaughan yard. She returns from a break having not raced since August and makes only her second start for the yard here, so it seems reasonable to expect that there might be some improvement forthcoming which we¿ll be needed if the six-year-old is to defy a mark of 110. With the trainers' record with other yard's cast-off's well documented it would be foolish to ignore any support for Tom Scudamore's mount. Ocean Transit is the youngest of these and has scope for improvement off a mark of 105. However, the horse's winning margin last time is flattering to say the least as she was left in front when looking held so the form doesn't look strong. That said as an improving four-year-old who likes a bit of cut this one is well worth including in calculations in what isn't the most competitive of handicaps as is Covert Mission whose form when winning a novice hurdle under similar conditions last year looks rock solid and she's been dropped 3lbs for taking second last time. Bella Haze carries top weight but has only once been out of the first three in eight starts over hurdles and looks well enough treated if fit for this reappearance so is worth a market check, but in Candle we have a horse we know is fit and will relish conditions and so she's the pick.
Bella Haze 3-1 (11-0) Led, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 15, 4l behind Izita Star (11-5) at Chepstow 2m mrs nov hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Laureate des Loges (FR) 12-1 (11-5) Mid-division, headway when not fluent 5th, ridden approaching 2 out, disputing 3 lengths 3rd when fell last, in a race won by Viable (11-4) at Huntingdon 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Nov, 13 ran.
Candle 9-1 (10-13) Soon tracking leader, weakened after 3 out, 3rd of 6, 17l behind Pepe Simo (11-8) at Haydock 2m lst nov hdl (4yo+) (1) sft in Nov.
Covert Mission 5-2fav (10-10) Held up, headway 4th, led after 2 out, headed when not fluent last, no extra flat, 2nd of 10, 3l behind Classic Chic (11-0) at Hereford 2m 4f clm hdl (4) sft.
Dabaratsa (FR) 11-4fav (11-12) Led, clear approaching 2nd, not fluent 2 out, headed last, hung right when no extra towards finish, 2nd of 9, 2l behind Kickahead (11-7) at Stratford 2m am hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf in Aug.
Ocean Transit (IRE) 9-1 (10-7) Held up, chased leaders 3 out, went 2nd after 2 out, left clear last (no time time taken), won at Taunton 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gs in Nov beating Arctic Watch (11-0) by 12l, 12 ran.
Keltic Cliche 16-1 (10-10) Held up, headway 6th, soon lost place, progress before 8th, weakened 3 out, tailed off, 8th of 16, well behind Love of Tara (11-2) at Towcester 2m 5f mrs nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Just Beware 12-1 (9-9) Close-up in 5th, steady headway from 3 out, 2nd after 2 out, no chance with winner when ridden and hung left flat, kept on for clear 2nd, 2nd of 6, 6l behind Spear Thistle (11-11) at Lingfield 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) hvy in Nov.
Little Firecracker 6-1 (11-4) Led, hit 4th and 8th, headed 9th, pushed along next, soon lost place, weakened 3 out, tailed off, 5th of 11, well behind Petroglyph (11-2) at Fakenham 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs in Nov.
