handy, ridden 3 out, outpaced approaching last, no extra flat
in rear, pushed along off pace home turn, headway tracking leaders last, kept on same pace flat
prominent, went on before 5th, ridden and headed home turn, weakened 3 out
mid-division, tracking leaders home turn when unseated rider
mid-division out wide, struggling home turn, rallied approaching last, stayed on strongly flat
always towards rear, never a factor
mid-division on inside, pushed along and outpaced home turn, late headway from last
led, headed before 5th, regained lead home turn, ridden and pressed 2 out, narrowly headed last, no extra flat
held up, headway approaching 3 out, led last going well, stayed on well flat
mid-division, struggling from 4 out, tailed off
BALIYAD won a seller at Stratford back in September and chased home an in-form rival at Wincanton just under two weeks ago. This is another sharp track and Finn Lambert takes off a handy 7lb. Lusaka hasn’t been beaten far in novice and maiden company but Zuraig bled from the nose when a well-beaten third at Uttoxeter last month and Lady P has already been beaten in sellers. Ring The Moon won the last time he ran over hurdles so can’t be ignored.
Lusaka (IRE) 6-4 (11-4) Not always fluent, chased winner until 2nd, went 2nd again 3rd until 4th, not much room before 2 out, switched left and every chance when mistake last, stayed on, lost 2nd last strides, just held, 3rd of 4, hd behind Order Of St John (11-4) at Leicester 2m mdn (4) gf in Nov.
Swearer (IRE) 5-2 (12-0) Bhnd til stdy hdwy 11; qcknd to ld aft 2 out; r.o wl, won at Flete Park 2m 4f mdn gd in Apr beating Ribo A Irep (11-7) by 5l, 4 ran.
Zuraig 8-1 (11-3) Took a strong hold, towards rear, went 3rd 4 out, outpaced and beaten 2 out, 3rd of 6, 19 1/2l behind Are U Wise To That (11-4) at Uttoxeter 2m mdn (4) gs in Oct.
Tribal Commander 12-1 (9-13) Mid-division, outpaced over 4f out, well beaten final 3f, 11th of 13, 26 1/2l behind Victory March (9-9) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Baliyad (IRE) 12-1 (10-6) Prominent, ridden and outpaced 2 out, plugged on from last in distant 2nd, 2nd of 8, 5 1/2l behind Cornicello (12-0) at Wincanton 1m 7f hcp (5) gd in Nov.
Evron (FR) 22-1 (11-1) Held up in rear, struggling after 4 out, behind when pulled up before 3 out, at Ludlow 3m hcp (5) gs in Nov.
Lopes Dancer (IRE) 100-1 (11-4) Held up in mid-division, effort after 3 out, weakened from 2 out, 5th of 11, 32 1/2l behind Chasing Fire (11-4) at Market Rasen 2m 1f mdn (4) gs in Nov.
Ring The Moon 20-1 (11-11) In rear, ridden home turn, never a factor, pulled up before 3 out, at Ffos Las 3m hcp (5) sft in Nov.
Coastal Sun (FR) 100-1 (11-3) Took keen hold, led, jumped left 5th, headed approaching 2 out, soon ridden, faded before last, 8th of 13, dist behind Maxcel (11-11) at Hereford 2m hcp (5) gs in Nov.
Lady P (IRE) 18-1 (10-2) Chased leaders, not fluent 1st, lost place after 5th, well beaten before 3 out, 7th of 13, 25l behind Pardon Me (11-4) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (5) gd in Oct.