took keen hold, soon tracking leaders, saddle slipped and pulled up before 4th
mid-division, ridden after 6th, no response, tailed off
made virtually all, not fluent 4th, clear before next until approaching 3 out, blundered last, driven clear again flat
mid-division, weakened approaching 4th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
in rear, not fluent 1st, driven 4th, jumped slowly 6th, always behind
chased leaders until weakened approaching 3 out
in rear, bad mistake 3rd, headway after 6th, went 3rd 3 out, no impression when hit last
mid-division, headway approaching 6th, chased winner approaching 3 out, mistake last, soon beaten
chased leaders, jumped slowly 4th, weakened approaching 3 out
pulled hard in rear, not fluent 1st, well behind from 4th, tailed off when pulled up from 3 out
disputed lead with winner until 3rd, stayed 2nd until before 3 out, soon weakened
took good hold in mid-division, headway approaching 4th, mistake next, soon weakened
Nonrunner
A poor contest where if BRETT VALE can negotiate the obstacles on his hurdling debut then he really ought to have too much class for them, while Leulahleulahlay and Nicky Nutjob are also considered. The selection was last seen winning a 1m 4f claimer on fast ground at Newmarket around a month ago, when under the tutelage of Sir Mark Prescott. Now with Peter Hedger for a jumping campaign, the Sinndar gelding really is rated around two stones better than these opponents on Flat form and if he jumps around then he can score. Leulahleulahlay was runner up in a Ripon maiden in August, after which he has contested two hurdles under A P McCoy, going well at Bangor but disappointing in a visor last time. The drop back in trip and switch to cheek pieces may help him get competitive again. Nicky Nutjob has tailed off on the Flat after being rated in the 60s earlier in the year, but he also ran in the same Bangor race as Leulahleulahlay, and on that evidence there should be little between them. Huntingdon runner-up Dark Oasis may be able to improve for the experience and may be capable of giving the selection most to do, with ground to suit, while Bedarra Boy is worth a market check. Brett Vale can hopefully get off to a winning start over timber.
Bedarra Boy 16-1 (8-10) Prominent, went 2nd 3f out, led inside final 2f, led over 1f out, soon edged left, one pace and no impression when lost 2nd entering final 1f, 3rd of 13, 5l behind Dazzling Begum (8-13) at Folkestone 1m 7f hcp 0-60 (6) gf in Sep (flat).
Brett Vale (IRE) 11-4 (9-1) Pulled hard, held up, took closer order over 5f out, ridden over 2f out, driven to press leader over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on, won at Newmarket 1m 4f clm stks (4) gf in Sep beating Everaard (8-5) by 1 1/2l, 6 ran (flat).
Dark Oasis 7-1 (10-5) Held up in rear, never jumped well, headway halfway, chased leaders 3 out, stayed on well approaching last never nearer, 2nd of 6, 1 3/4l behind Marsool (11-5) at Huntingdon 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gf.
Dicksons Delight (USA) 66-1 (8-8) Outpaced, last of 11, 38l behind Gassal (8-6) at Wolverhampton 7f 2yo sell stks (6) pol in Sep '08 (flat).
Heaven Or Hell (IRE) 17-2 (8-7) Chased leaders, weakened well over 2f out, 6th of 11, 16l behind Chichen Daawe (8-6) at Ffos Las 1m 2f hcp 0-55 (6) gd in Sep (flat).
Leulahleulahlay 3-1fav (10-12) Chased leader, mistake 2nd, mistake 3 out, soon hung badly right and lost 2nd, beaten after, 5th of 10, 19l behind Zepnove (10-0) at Fontwell 2m 2f 3yo mdn hdl (4) gf in Sep.
Mr Deal 33-1 (10-12) Held up, struggling when blundered 2 out, 4th of 9, 44l behind Riptide (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f 3yo mdn hdl (5) gf.
Nicky Nutjob (GER) 22-1 (10-12) Held up mid-division, ridden approaching 2 out, no impression when blundered last, 6th of 15, 23l behind Barizan (11-6) at Market Rasen 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (2) gd in Sep.
Weet In Nerja 50-1 (8-7) Mid-division, ridden and headway over 2f out, weakened 1f out, 12th of 17, 13l behind Winrob (8-10) at Thirsk 1m 3yo sll hcp 0-65 (6) gd in Jul (flat).
Cheetah Beetah 50-1 (8-7) Led until over 1f out, soon weakened, 6th of 8, 9l behind Mamlakati (8-7) at Chepstow 5f 3yo sll (6) gd in Aug (flat).
Princess Soraya 100-1 (8-8) Always rear division, 10th of 13, 18l behind Elliptical (8-12) at Goodwood 1m 2f mdn auc stks (5) gd in May (flat).
Protiva 12-1 (10-5) With leaders and keen, tracked leaders when slipped up on bend after 4th, in a race won by Marsool (10-12) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f 3yo mdn hdl (4) gf in Sep, 8 ran.
Strong Storm (USA) 10-3 (10-12) Chased leaders, left 2nd at 2nd, blundered and fell 5th, in a race won by Riptide (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f 3yo mdn hdl (5) gf, 9 ran.
Wild Lyph 100-1 (9-3) Took keen hold, chased leaders, ridden and weakened quickly over 3f out, virtually pulled up final furlong, last of 7, well behind Alsahil (9-3) at Brighton 1m 3yo mdn (5) gd in Apr (flat).
