mid-division, ridden after 4 out, soon weakened
chased leaders until ridden, weakened soon after 3 out
behind, headway from 2 out, never in contention
led, over 1 length clear last, headed final 100 yards, driven, rallied gamely to regain lead close home
behind, moderate effort approaching 3 out, soon ridden, beaten
held up towards rear, headway into 5th, hit 3 out, stayed on same pace from next
chased leaders, mistake, lost place 4 out, stayed on in top 3rd 2 out, one pace, no impression when hit last
blundered 1st, mid-division, slightly hampered, lost place, dropped to rear 4 out, headway, hit 3 out, stayed on same pace next
in rear, ridden, mistake 5th, struggling after 4 out, pulled up before 3 out
always in rear, tailed off
close-up, headway to chase winner approaching 2 out, about 1 length down, ridden last, driven to lead final 100 yards, no extra, headed close home
chasing leaders when hit 2nd, ridden 6th, weakened 4 out, tailed off
pressed winner until after 3 out, lost 2nd soon after, weakened, blundered last
RAGAMUFFIN MAN looks the percentage call in this handicap hurdle and he is put forward to get the better of Colombard and The Big Orse. There are plenty in with a chance but our selection arrives here fit from a run on the flat at Pontefract last month and although his form over hurdles so far has been a bit hit and miss, he has shown enough to suggest that he can take his chance today. He is having his first run for Phillip Hobbs and with Rhys Flint good value for his 3lbs claim he makes plenty of appeal. Colombard was making his handicap debut for Paul Nicholls when he came down two out while still in with a chance. If that fall has not affected his confidence then he would have a realistic chance. The Big Orse has only managed one win in seven attempts and he sweated up before the race and then lacked any fluency with his hurdling when last seen out at Kempton. Festival Dreams ran a sound race at Wincanton last week considering that was his first run for six months. He was steadily progressive last season which did not go unnoticed by the handicapper, but he should win his fair share of races this season, although others are preferred today. Ermine Sea and Sir Kezbaah are others worth a mention, but the vote here goes to Ragamuffin Man.
The Big Orse Evens (10-12) Keen early, held up in last place, not far away, ridden to chase winner when hit 2 out, no impression flat, 2nd of 3, 2 1/4l behind Balthazar King (11-5) at Kempton 2m 5f nov hdl (4) gf in Oct.
Ermine Sea 9-4fav (11-0) Pressed leader, led 4th, headed 6th, every chance approaching 3 out, no impression 2 out, lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 14, 9l behind Wester Ross (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m mdn hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Psi (USA) 5-1 (11-7) Held up in mid-division, no impression after 2 out, 7th of 11, 10l behind Zafranagar (10-11) at Cheltenham 2m nov hcp hdl (3) sft.
Zarrafakt (IRE) 14-1 (10-11) Held up, jumped right mostly, headway 3 out and mistake, held approaching 2 out, 5th of 14, 27l behind Stage Acclaim (10-4) at Lingfield 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Colombard (FR) 16-1 (11-2) Mid-division, headway when hampered approaching 7th, keeping on in 3rd when fell 2 out, in a race won by Lord Ragnar (11-1) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-110 (3) gs, 24 ran.
Sir Kezbaah (IRE) 4-1fav (11-2) Led, headed 3 out, one pace, 2nd of 8, 4l behind Dontpaytheferryman (11-7) at Carlisle 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft.
Ragamuffin Man (IRE) 5-1 (10-9) Behind, hit 3rd, well in rear when pulled up approaching 3 out, in a race won by Silk Hall (10-12) at Newbury 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) gd in Feb, 15 ran.
Broughton Green (IRE) 11-1 (10-12) Mid-division, mistake 5th, weakened 7th, mistake 2 out, 9th of 16, 50l behind Bensalem (10-12) at Chepstow 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gs in Nov '08.
Mr Logistics (IRE) 50-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, ridden and weakened when badly hampered 4 out, 8th of 15, 39l behind Manyriverstocross (11-0) at Chepstow 2m mdn hdl (4) sft.
Gratification 14-1 (10-9) Mid-division, not fluent 5th, headway when hampered 3 out, went 3rd 2 out, no impression approaching last, 3rd of 17, 9l behind Mr Plod (10-7) at Kempton 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd.
Home 14-1 (10-11) Held up in touch, ridden to challenge after 3 out, soon one pace, 4th of 16, 18l behind Deadline (11-7) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Sep.
Prince du Beury (FR) 8-1 (11-4) Towards rear, pushed along after 2nd, ridden after 5th, always behind, 10th of 14, well behind Bathwick Man (11-8) at Stratford 2m 3f cond hcp hdl 0-1115 (4) gd in Jul.
Beat The System 9-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened 2 out, 8th of 14, well behind Benmadigan (11-7) at Worcester 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf in Jun.
Festival Dreams 9-2fav (10-8) Chased leading pair, chased leader soon after 4 out, slightly hampered next, close enough approaching 2 out, weakened before last and left 3rd, 3rd of 13, 9l behind Minnie Hill (11-4) at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs.
