held up, headway to track leaders 5th, ridden after 3 out, one pace
held up in touch, took closer order 5th, went 2nd after 3 out, ridden to lead approaching last, ran on well
held up towards rear, weakened 3 out
tracked leaders until 5th, ridden 3 out, soon weakened
held up behind, headway 6th, ridden, weakened after 3 out
tracked leaders until after 5th, soon behind, tailed off
led, ridden, headed approaching last, no extra
Fire Ranger, Don And Gerry and Theocritus are the shortlisted trip on this novices' hurdle and the vote is given to Fire Ranger. The selection has been running consistently well of late and she lost no caste in defeat when second behind Dancing Hill over this course and distance last time. There are doubts over whether she sees out this trip but we are prepared to give her another chance. Don And Gerry was a good second behind Compton Drake at Worcester last time. He is stepped-up in trip today and if he gets home then he will have a leading chance. Theocritus won well last time at Newton Abbott when defeating Latin Queen and the slight step-up in trip should in theory play to his strengths. He remains lightly-raced and could go well. Smart Mover has failed to complete on his last two starts but if he could get round then he would be of interest at an each-way price. This is a fascinating race and we will stick with Fire Ranger as the one to lead them home.
Theocritus (GER) 9-2 (10-12) In touch, lost place 6th, headway approaching 2 out, challenged last, ran on well flat, led close home, won at N Abbot 2m 1f nov hdl (E) gf in Jul beating Latin Queen (11-2) by 2l, 11 ran.
Fire Ranger 11-4 (10-13) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 6th, ridden to lead approaching 2 out, no extra when headed flat, 2nd of 14, 1l behind Dancing Hill (10-7) at N Abbot 2m 3f sll hdl (G) gf.
Lago d'Oro 4-1 (10-5) Tracked leaders, headway 3 out, led before next, ridden last, stayed on well, won at Market Rasen 2m 1f nov hdl (D) gf in Jul beating Tom Bell (11-4) by 8l, 9 ran.
Smart Mover 10-1 (11-0) Held up, took closer order 7th, weakened after 3 out, soon behind and pulled up 2 out in race won by Manx Royal (11-9) at Wincanton 2m 6f nh nov hdl (E) gd in Apr, 8 ran.
Aruba Dam (IRE) 22-1 (10-0) Always behind, tailed off when mistake 4 out and refused at the last in race won by Sacrifice (10-12) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (E) gf, 14 ran.
Barum Belle 10-1 (10-11) Mid-division until ridden and weakened 3f out, 9th of 14, 34l behind Sommelier (11-4) at Chepstow 2m nhf (H) sft in Mar.
Impatient Lady 7-1 (11-9) pulled up in race won by Classify (12-0) at Cherrybrook 3m ptp gs in Apr, 8 ran.
Don And Gerry (IRE) 11-4 (10-8) Held up, headway 3rd, ridden approaching 2 out, stayed on flat, 2nd of 12, 11l behind Compton Drake (10-9) at Worcester 2m mdn hdl (E) gf.
