always behind, ridden and struggling after 4 out, tailed off
mid-division, hit 4th, ridden approaching 3 out, headway before last, kept on flat
in touch, lost place 6th, behind 8th, rallied after 3 out, kept on flat
behind, headway from 3 out, kept on from last, not pace to threaten
chased leaders, challenged on outside 3 out, disputing lead next, stayed on to lead towards finish
led until headed 8th, chased leader after, still every chance 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, stayed on same pace flat
always behind, tailed off 9th
chased leaders, ridden before 3 out, weakened before next
mid-division, hit 6th, in touch and ridden before 3 out, weakened quickly soon after
towards rear, lost place before 9th, struggling after, tailed off
pressed leader, led 8th, made most after, joined 3 out, ridden and edged left flat, headed towards finish
behind, headway approaching 3 out, challenged on inside and chance 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, hung left approaching last, weakened flat
always behind, struggling 9th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
Ballabrook and COBBLER'S QUEEN both arrive in good heart and can dominate the finish with the latter narrowly preferred this time. Henry Daly's charge carries a 7lb penalty for winning a similar contest at Leicester last time and with the promising Jake Greenall taking over in the saddle must have a solid chance of following up. The chief concern is that the mare is yet to run on soft ground but on breeding at least it shouldn't pose a problem and it's worth giving her the chance to prove that correct here. Ballabrook is another who won last time and as the gelding escapes a penalty for that smooth success he must have solid claims of following up for his in-form stable. However, today's step up to 2m5f is a concern as is the ground and with stamina likely to be at a premium here we have slight preference for the Daly runner, although the market might disagree. Hareem is versatile with regards to conditions and is another one that hails from an in-form stable, so must be entered into calculations. The gelding coped well with a step up in class when taking second last time and despite a 4lb rise for that defeat still has prospects as a proven stayer who has won on soft ground and arrives in form. The three mentioned look easily the most solid betting propositions but if there is to be an upset perhaps Rothres can be the one to provide it. The five-year-old stepped up markedly on previous form when taking second last time and if building on that effort would have a chance despite racing from out of the handicap here. It is encouraging this one ran well over course and distance in a maiden hurdle and so she can't be totally discounted and neither can Ramvaswani although it has to be noted that the last named is winless from some 36 appearances over hurdles. Dawn At Sea had been running well prior to being outclassed last time and is at least back in the right grade but looks up against it here with preference going to Cobbler's Queen.
Havenstone (IRE) 11-1 (10-7) Raced wide, prominent, led after 2nd to approaching 6th, lost place 8th, soon in rear, tailed off, 7th of 9, 41l behind Herons Well (10-6) at Ffos Las 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft in Nov.
Dawn At Sea 16-1 (10-10) In touch, hit 6th, beaten approaching last, 9th of 24, 9l behind Lord Ragnar (11-1) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-110 (3) gs in Nov.
Hareem (IRE) 8-1 (10-10) Mid-division, lost place, headway 2 out, stayed on well to go 2nd before finish, no impression with winner, 2nd of 17, 1 1/4l behind Raise You Five (10-13) at Towcester 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Nov.
Louis Ludwig (IRE) 50-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 7th, led 3 out until approaching 2 out, soon beaten, 9th of 17, 30l behind Raise You Five (10-13) at Towcester 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Nov.
Ballabrook (IRE) 10-1 (10-5) In touch, headway to lead approaching 2 out, driven out from last, won at Catterick 2m 3f con hcp hdl 0-110 3yo+ (4) gs beating Itstooearly (10-6) by 4 1/2l, 13 ran.
Ramvaswani (IRE) 8-1 (10-0) Prominent, soon with leaders, led after 4th, headed 7th, weakened approaching 2 out, 4th of 12, 15l behind Tarateeno (10-10) at Towcester 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) hvy in Nov.
Jaunty Dove 25-1 (10-12) Prominent, jumped right, weakened 3 out, 7th of 11, 37l behind Sylroy (9-13) at Hereford 2m 4f mrs nov hdl (4) gd in Apr.
Ruby Valentine (FR) 20-1 (11-7) Held up, not fluent 6th, headway 8th, weakened 3 out, 5th of 7, 32l behind Petroglyph (11-0) at Ludlow 3m cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft in Nov.
Tom O'Tara 50-1 (10-12) Behind, weakened from 3 out, 7th of 9, well behind Pokanoket (9-12) at Market Rasen 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gd in May.
The Boat Shed (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Prominent, not fluent 2nd, ridden after 4th, soon struggling, weakened after 5th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Barizan (11-5) at Bangor 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (4) gf in Jul, 7 ran.
Rothres (FR) 11-1 (9-11) Chased leader, led soon after 5th to 3 out, regained lead 2 out, headed soon after, half a length down and still challenging when hit last, one pace and held flat, 2nd of 16, 2 1/4l behind Ready To Crown (11-5) at Warwick 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Nov.
Estrica (IRE) 50-1 (10-3) Held up, effort 3 out, never dangerous, 5th of 12, 23l behind Cobbler's Queen (11-0) at Leicester 2m 4f Mares Novice Handicap Hurdle (0-105) (3yo+) (4) gd in Nov.
Arabian Sun 10-1 (9-12) Led, ridden and headed soon after 8th, stayed handy until weakened after 3 out, hit next, 7th of 12, 34l behind Raise You Five (11-2) at Fontwell 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-95 (5) hvy in Nov.
Cobbler's Queen (IRE) 7-2fav (11-0) Held up in touch, chased leaders 4 out, soon led, headed 3 out, rallied after 2 out, led after last, driven out, won at Leicester 2m 4f Mares Novice Handicap Hurdle (0-105) (3yo+) (4) gd in Nov beating Devon Native (11-9) by 1 3/4l, 12 ran.
