in touch, ridden approaching 2 out, in force and beat when stumbled last, soon pulled up
chased leaders, pushed along approaching 8th, soon lost place, tailed off from 3 out
chased leaders, went 2nd 9th ridden approaching 2 out, soon weakened
chased leader, blundered 7th, weakened from 3f out
mid division, headway 3rd, chased leader next, clear 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, headed approaching last one paced after
always towards rear, tailed off when pulled up, 2 out
held up, ridden and headway 3 out, soon weakened
always towards rear, tailed off when pulled up, before 2 out
led, headed approaching 7th, quickly lost place, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
held up in rear, headway 8th, went 2nd approaching 2 out, led approaching last, ridden clear flat
A low grade yet nevertheless tricky affair to start proceedings, with Forest Ivory holding the best claims on past form, while Terdad and Kippanour should be prominent as well. Forest Ivory lines up as the oldest of the 10 runners at the age of 12 and is obviously not open to improvement, but has not shaped badly in both outings this season, at Southwell and Stratford. He was racing from out of the handicap at the latter track and that was a non-seller so this drop in grade should bring about the required improvement. A winner seven times for David Nicholson, including the Belle Epoque Sefton Novices' Hurdle at Aintree in 1997, he is a shadow of his former self these days, but even a glimmer of his past ability would be enough to take this. The locals will be cheering on Terdad who is trained nearby by Michael Chapman, but the slight worry is the three mile trip and in addition he would not want any more rain. Otherwise, he has enough ability to play a part, as does Kippanour, who stays all day. Any money in the ring for Kevin Morgan's Crazy Maizie, who has more scope than most, should be noted, but we return to Forest Ivory as the answer.
