tracked leaders, ridden and quickened to lead, for 2 out, stayed on well
always behind
raced keenly in touch, ridden 2 out, stayed on same pace, no impression
mid-division, outpaced after 3 out, soon beaten
chased leaders on inside, driven and outpaced 3 out, weakened next
always prominent, effort approaching 2 out, ridden and kept on same pace approaching last, no impression
held up, headway 3 out, soon ridden and no impression
raced keenly in mid div, outpaced after 3 out, weakened next
in touch, effort before 2 out, ridden and kept on same pace approaching last, no impression
reluctant to race, in rear, kept on from 2 out and never nearer
raced keenly, held up mid div, headway and effort 3 out, soon outpaced, weakened next
led to before 2 out, soon weakened
held up, headway 5th, ridden 3 out, no impression when mistake next, soon weakened
chased leaders, effort after 3 out, soon one pace
held up behind, headway 3 out, chased leaders next, ridden and kept on flat, no impression
pulled hard, headway to join leaders 2nd, lost place 3 out, soon weakened
pulled up, mid-division, lost place 5th, soon weakened, behind when pulled up before 2 out
KING'S HEAD has just managed to scrape in here at the foot of the weights under his penalty and is likely to take all the beating despite the presence of the talented but frustrating Sendani while the four year-old Mutual Friend was beaten off 115 on his last start in a handicap but two wins in maiden and novice hurdle company have seen his rating jump to 123 here. The tactics adopted by Gary Moore to ensure his charge gets in here is both shrewd and noteworthy. The slight worry would be whether conditions will be quick enough. Sendani looked to be struggling to concede weight to rivals throughout the summer months in novice hurdles and handicaps are now where he is likely to be more competitive while Mutual Friend put up a good performance last time, giving 12lb and a 3 1/4l beating to a 107 rated rival. Divine Gift continues to rise up the weights but is lightly raced over hurdles. Tony McCoy is an eye-catching booking for Zanir, presumably because Paddy Brennan is engaged to partner Distiller. Zanir, a smart juvenile hurdler that finished seventh in the Fred Winter, returned from a five month absence last time to run a pleasing race and he should be all the better for the outing. King's Head is selected to land this ultra competitive handicap hurdle.
Katies Tuitor 5-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, shaken up approaching 4th, struggling 6th, never on terms, 7th of 11, 29l behind Sporazene (11-4) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-145 (2) gf in Aug.
Bureaucrat 20-1 (11-12) Held up last, ridden 7th, soon weakened and pulled up 3 out in race won by Indian Pipe Dream (10-11) at N Abbot 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gd in Aug, 16 ran.
Leslingtaylor (IRE) 11-2 (10-11) Held up mid-division, weakened from 5 out, 12th of 18, 33l behind Stan (9-9) at Aintree 2m hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs in Apr.
Freeloader (IRE) 4-1 (11-6) Chased leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, every chance when fell 2 out in race won by Hypnotic Vibes (10-7) at Southwell 2m 1f beg chs (4) gd in Aug, 8 ran.
O'Toole (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Prominent, not fluent 3rd, pushed along 5th, weakened 3 out, 5th of 11, 22l behind Sporazene (11-4) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-145 (2) gf in Aug.
Riguez Dancer 6-4fav (11-5) Raced wide in touch, headway 5th, effort 3 out, soon ridden and one pace, no impression from next, 3rd of 13, 15l behind Theatre Belle (10-6) at Sedgefield 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gs in Apr.
Zanir (FR) 11-2 (11-7) Held up, headway approaching 3 out, switched right approaching 2 out, weakened after last, 6th of 10, 7l behind Irish Legend (11-0) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs.
European Dream (IRE) 14-1 (10-10) Held up, weakening when hit 4 out, 13th of 21, 48l behind Pearl King (10-10) at Aintree 2m lst hcp hdl (1) gd in Apr.
Sendani (FR) 8-13fav (11-5) Mid-division, headway 6th, led and quickened after 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, headed approaching last, no extra, 2nd of 12, 4 1/2l behind Leamington Lad (10-12) at N Abbot 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gd in Aug.
Chaninbar (FR) 10-1 (11-5) Behind, outpaced 3 out, stayed on well from last, took 4th near finish, 4th of 10, 5l behind Irish Legend (11-0) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs.
Mutual Friend (USA) 5-2co-fav (11-3) Held up, steady headway 4th, joined leaders 3 out, close up last, led flat, driven out, won at Worcester 2m nov hdl (4) gf in Jul beating Goldan Jess (10-5) by 3 1/2l, 8 ran.
Amazing King (IRE) 7-1 (11-4) Mid-division, lost place 4 out, rallied approaching 2 out, no extra approaching last, 5th of 15, 6l behind Little Bob (11-1) at Perth 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Apr.
Divine Gift 7-2fav (11-8) Held up, headway 5th, went 2nd before 3 out, led between last 2, ridden and headed final 150 yards, kept on, no extra towards finish, 2nd of 12, 2 1/2l behind Los Nadis (11-4) at Cartmel 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Aug.
Distiller (IRE) 12-1 (10-9) Held up, ridden and headway from 7th, chased leaders 2 out, one pace, 4th of 16, 11l behind Indian Pipe Dream (10-11) at N Abbot 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gd in Aug.
Truckers Delight (IRE) 4-1 (11-9) Chased leaders, closer in 4th approaching 5 out, left 3rd and ridden from 2 out, kept on same pace run-in, 3rd of 12, 6l behind Caim Hill (11-7) at Galway 2m 4f nov hdl hvy.
Lord Baskerville 16-1 (11-1) Led, reminders approaching 4th, hit 5th, headed approaching 6th, soon weakened, last of 10, 11l behind Irish Legend (11-0) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs.
King's Head (IRE) 9-4fav (11-2) In touch, headway after 3 out, led before last, ridden clear flat, won at Plumpton 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gf beating Winsley Hill (10-13) by 3l, 10 ran.
