mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, chased leaders after 2 out, one pace under pressure flat
held up towards rear, shortlived effort after 3 out, never reached leaders and soon beaten
led to 5th, stayed prominent until ridden and weakened approaching 3 out
chased leaders, lost place 4 out, stayed on after next
chased leaders, went 2nd before 4th, led next, headed well before 3 out, soon hung left and weakened
held up towards rear, headway into mid-division and ridden after 3 out, pulled up before next
always behind, tailed off 3 out
held up towards rear, stayed on from 2 out, not reach ed leaders
tracked leader to approaching 4th, stayed prominent, led well before 3 out, joined and mistake last, soon headed, no extra flat
in touch, headway to chase leaders after 4 out, ridden and weakened after next
always rear, tailed off 3 out
held up in mid-division, lost place and dropped to rear after 4 out, ridden next, rallied to challenge on stand rail 2 out, led soon after last, driven out and stayed on well
Nycteos showed improved form over fences last season and the Paul Nicholls-trained gelding is taken to make the most of what looks a favourable mark for his return to hurdles with the main threats looking to come from Cannon Fire and Make It A Double. The last mentioned is less exposed than most of these after just two starts and is hard to weigh up making his debut in a handicap today off what appears a fair mark. Purple Patch has conditions to suit and remains potentially well treated despite a penalty for his win at Warwick recently. Chris Popham's mare makes more appeal than David Pipe's Bumper, who has struggle to find some consistency. With Lucy Wadham's stable in good form, Heir To Be has to be respected, while Gala Evening may be open to more improvement. Evan Williams is still finding it hard to reach the winners' enclosure so Cannon Fire is probably best watched and preference is for the reappearing Nycteos, who is taken to make the most of what appears a favourable mark back over hurdles.
Heir To Be 4-1 (11-8) Prominent, led briefly 5th, led 8th, headed aproaching 2 out, soon no chance, 4th of 7, 9l behind Isle de Maurice (10-1) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Jan.
Nycteos (FR) 10-1 (10-9) Mid-division, headway on outside when fell at the 10th in race won by Liberthine (10-4) at Aintree 2m 5f hcp chs 0-150 (2) gd in Apr, 29 ran.
Cannon Fire (FR) 9-1 (11-1) Made all, ridden and joined 2 out, ran on, ridden out, won at Chepstow 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Feb beating Pass Me A Dime (10-13) by 2l, 9 ran.
Letitia's Loss (IRE) 20-1 (9-9) Led, headed after 3 out, weakened soon after 2 out, 5th of 6, 8l behind Refinement (11-12) at Kempton 3m mrs hcp hdl (2) gs in Dec.
Dare Too Dream 66-1 (11-2) Held up in touch, jumped left throughout, reminder 3rd, lost touch 5th, beaten when pulled up at the 10th in race won by Kaldouas (11-2) at Wincanton 2m 5f nov chs (3) sft in Jan, 6 ran.
High Hope (FR) 14-1 (11-2) Held up, headway 9th, chased leading pair 3 out, weakened under pressure before next, 6th of 13, 25l behind Alfasonic (11-2) at Lingfield 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) hvy in Jan.
Bumper (FR) 11-2 (11-8) Held up, in rear when blundered and unseated rider at the 5th in race won by Maletton (11-12) at Fakenham 3m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in Jan, 9 ran.
Considine (USA) 20-1 (11-9) Rear of mid-division, kept on same pace from 3 out, 7th of 25, 22l behind Hairy Molly (11-12) at Naas 2m 3f mdn hdl sft in Feb.
Purple Patch 4-1 (11-7) Made all, ridden 2 out, driven out, won at Warwick 2m mrs hcp hdl (4) hvy in Feb beating Sonnengold (11-2) by 11l, 5 ran.
Make It A Double (IRE) 4-9fav (11-0) Jumped badly right, led 1st, mistake 6th, headed after 7th, left in lead 9th, ridden after 3 out, headed last, rallied to lead near finish, won at Bangor 3m nov hdl (E) gs in Apr '05 beating Combat Drinker (11-0) by 3/4l, 5 ran.
Another Gale (IRE) 4-1 (11-11) Took keen hold, held up until pulled way into lead 5th, blundered and fell in race won by Asthefellowsaid (12-1) at Folkestone 2m 5f mdn hts chs (6) hvy in Feb, 7 ran.
Gala Evening 13-2 (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway after 3 out, soon ridden, stayed on, 3rd of 17, 6l behind Or Jaune (11-0) at Sandown 2m 4f nov hcp hdl (3) gs in Feb.
