mid-division, hit 4th, lost place before next, tailed off
always in rear, tailed off approaching 3 out, pulled up before last
took keen hold, led 1st to 3rd, prominent, not fluent 5th, ridden and beaten when not fluent 3 out, weakened apoproaching 2 out
held up towards rear, headway 6th, went 2nd approaching 3 out until flat, one pace
held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off
held up well in rear, not fluent 6th, headway when hit 3 out, switched right flat, ran on to lead close home
led to 1st, chased leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, soon beaten
prominent, led 3rd until after 6th, soon weakened, hit 3 out, tailed off
in touch, lost place after 6th, no danger after
in touch, led after 6th, clear when jumped right from 3 out, still 5 lengths ahead last, edged left flat, caught close home
jumped right 1st, always in rear, jumped right 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
Keyneema is the obvious one whilst Three Ships and Bosamcliff could go well but it may be worth taking a chance with VERTUEUX. Tony Carroll has his string in good form and he's engaged the services of a leading amateur for his mount. The four year old gelding showed ability on the level in France and didn't run too badly over course and distance in a seller on his penultimate start. Vertueux was well held at Kempton next time out but hasn't had too many chances and may be worth one more in this company. Keyneema represents a trainer who has made a remarkable start to her training career and the gelding was good value for his win at Hereford. That came in a comparable race over fences and he could take all the beating if proving as effective over timber. Three Ships has been a regular winner over the years and comes into this race on the back of a couple of decent performances but remains feasibly treated. Bosamcliff has claims on the pick of her hurdling form despite having never won a race in ten starts over obstacles but neither she, nor many of the other runners, can be dismissed with confidence. The suggestion is Vertueux.
We're Delighted 12-1 (11-6) Held up in touch, ridden 3 out, weakened before last, 9th of 12, 15l behind Weststern (10-6) at Fakenham 2m nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Nov.
Rapide Plaisir (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Tracked leader, hit 9th, every chance 4 out, 2 lengths 3rd when blundered badly and unseated rider 3 out, in a race won by Zorro De La Vega (11-9) at Ludlow 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Oct, 9 ran.
Three Ships 7-4fav (11-2) Keen early, tracked leaders, went 2nd when mistake 3rd, led before 2 out, ridden and headed between last 2, kept on same pace, no chance with winner, 2nd of 9, 9l behind Ministerofinterior (11-0) at Hereford 2m 1f sll hdl (4-8yo) (5) gs in Nov.
Thehonourablelady 18-1 (11-2) Held up, headway and not fluent 3 out, no impression from 2 out, 8th of 15, 23l behind Je Ne Sais Plus (11-5) at Doncaster 2m 3f Mares Handicap Hurdle (0-115) (3yo+) (4) gd.
Ptibaby (FR) 50-1 (11-1) Always towards rear, struggling after 3 out, 9th of 13, 27l behind Minnie Hill (11-4) at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Nov.
Jordan's Light (USA) 10-1 (10-7) Held up in rear, headway 2 out, went 4th approaching last, never dangerous, 4th of 8, 16l behind Classic Dream (10-4) at Hereford 2m 1f sell (5) sft.
Vertueux (FR) 16-1 (11-2) Held up mid-division, weakened approaching 3 out, 6th of 13, 17l behind Calzaghe (11-8) at Kempton 2m Conditional Novice Handicap Hurdle (0-100) (3yo+) (4) gs in Nov.
Never Lost 100-1 (11-3) Held up, headway approaching 3rd, weakened before 3 out, tailed off when pulled up before last, in a race won by Quinte Du Chatelet (12-4) at Leicester 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf, 11 ran.
Keyneema 9-1 (10-11) Always prominent, led before 2 out, ridden last, stayed on well flat, won at Hereford 2m hcp 0-100 (4) sft beating Form And Beauty (9-12) by 2l, 9 ran.
Bosamcliff (IRE) 13-2 (11-0) Prominent, led 3rd, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last, 5th of 7, 22l behind Festival Dreams (10-2) at Wincanton 2m 4f 4yo hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Apr.
Happy Fleet 40-1 (10-7) Held up behind, hit 7th, headway into mid-division next, weakened 10th, tailed off when pulled up before last, in a race won by Petroglyph (11-2) at Fakenham 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs in Nov, 11 ran.
