raced in 3rd until lost place and hit 4th, outpaced 3 out, weakened soon after
led until narrowly headed after 4 out, chased leader, every chance 2 out, soon ridden, chased winner run-in, no extra in 3rd inside final 100 yards
jumped slowly 1st, raced in 4th place until lost place at 4th, pushed along and well held in 4th after 3 out, stayed on run-in, went 2nd inside final 100 yards and closed, not reach winner
chased leader, awkward 3rd, lost 2nd 4th, chased leading pair, challenged out wide and hit 2 out, led last, driven out
always behind, tailed off when hit 3 out, never a factor, tailed off
raced keenly, held up in 5th until pulled way up to chase leader 4th, led next, joined 2 out, headed approaching the last, weakened run-in
Near Kettering is bidding for a hat-trick over hurdles but has been raised a further 6lb and won’t find it easy giving weight to his five rivals. Macho Mover only won a seller at Newton Abbot in September but improved on that when second at Stratford. ENVOL DE LA COUR pulled much too hard at Fakenham last month and that wasn’t his true form. If proving more amenable to restraint here, he could recoup losses as he holds Steady Away on earlier Worcester running. Handicap debutant Mister Sweets needs improvement but is worth a market check.
Near Kettering 5-2fav (11-12) Held up behind front rank, pushed along after 3 out, pressed leaders 2 out, led before last, ridden and stayed on stoutly, just held on, won at Carlisle 2m 1f hcp (5) gd in Oct beating Steinkraus (11-3) by nk, 10 ran.
Steady Away (IRE) 15-8fav (11-2) Chased leaders, close up 5th, nudged along 3 out, ridden 2 out, held when not fluent last, 3rd of 6, 6 3/4l behind Investment Manager (10-12) at Newton Abbot 2m 6f hcp (4) hvy in Oct.
Macho Mover (IRE) 8-1 (11-8) Held up in rear, rapid headway on home turn, challenged before last, led final 100 yards, headed close home, 2nd of 7, nk behind Canastero (10-9) at Stratford 2m 6f hcp (4) gs in Oct.
Mister Sweets (IRE) 11-2 (11-0) Mid-division, steady headway to chase leaders after 3 out, pushed along over 2 out, ridden 1 out, stayed on, 3rd of 14, 4 3/4l behind Unanswered Prayers (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m mdn (4) gs in Oct.
Simply Loveleh 10-1 (11-9) Mid-division, outpaced 3 out, no impression, 8th of 11, 18 1/4l behind Generation Gap (11-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Sep.
Envol De La Cour (FR) 11-4jfav (11-4) In touch in rear, headway to join leader 5th, clear with leader next, led 3 out, ridden and soon headed, outpaced next, 3rd of 6, 29 1/2l behind The Knot Is Tied (11-0) at Fakenham 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Oct.
