held up, headway after 5th, every chance last, no extra towards finish
with leader, led 2nd, headed after 5th, mistake next, outpaced after 3 out, rallied last, ran on, not quite reach winner
tracked leaders, not fluent 6th, challenged 3 out, led when not fluent 2 out, headed last, ran on final 100 yards
led until 2nd, not fluent 5th, ridden 3 out, no extra flat
prominent, went 2nd 3rd, led after 5th, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, weakened flat
held up in last, took keen hold, closed 2 out, not run on, not fluent last
held up, headway 3rd, ridden approaching 2 out, led last, hung right flat, all out
Maska Pony has yet to recapture the smart form he showed in the autumn while C&D winner Risaala has been off the track since finishing tailed off in a Grade 3 contest at Sandown in March. Space Telescope has an even longer absence to overcome but has gone well fresh in the past and market support for AP McCoy's mount would be significant. Speedy Directa is pursuing a hat-trick after scoring at Towcester and dead-heating with Ruby Valentine over this trip at Stratford. But he's gone up a further 5lb so the vote goes to CALL IT ON, who found plenty for pressure when winning in a fast time at Sedgefield and looks the type to improve further over this longer distance.
Risaala 14-1 (10-1) Always behind, ridden and struggling 6th, tailed off, 13th of 17, well behind Skint (10-12) at Sandown 2m 4f Novice Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3) (4-7yo) (1) gd in Mar.
Maska Pony (IRE) 28-1 (11-12) Led until after 3rd, tracked leader, weakened before 3 out, 14th of 17, 15l behind Remember Now (11-4) at Ayr 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Apr.
Space Telescope (IRE) 7-2fav (10-11) Tracked leaders, went 2nd approaching 3 out, soon ridden, not fluent 2 out, weakened approaching last, 4th of 8, 16l behind Battle Group (11-4) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Aug.
Call It On (IRE) 9-2 (11-7) Tracked leaders, challenged and hit 2 out, ridden before last, led run-in, kept on, driven out, won at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in May beating Samizdat (10-1) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
Topenhall (IRE) 8-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders, not fluent 3rd, ridden after 6th, lost place approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 7th of 8, 27l behind Speedy Directa (9-11) at Towcester 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf in May.
Northern Lad (IRE) 12-1 (10-10) Pulled hard in rear, headway after 3 out, chased leaders before next, never able to challenge, 6th of 16, 18l behind Gold Reef (10-13) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (3) gs in Nov.
Speedy Directa (GER) 5-2fav (12-1) Held up in rear, steady headway approaching 3 out, chased leader from 3 out, led 2 out, strongly pressed when hit last, kept on gamely, joined on line, won at Stratford 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in May deadheating with Ruby Valentine (11-3), 11 ran.
