in touch, badly outpaced in rear 3 out, rallied last, kept on flat
raced wide, led, joined 2 out, soon ridden, headed soon after last, stayed on same pace flat
chased leader, reminders after 2nd and again 5th, driven and lost place soon after, rallied on inside under pressure approaching 3 out, reluctant and not run on after 3 out
took keen hold tracked leaders, hit 2nd, went 2nd 4 out, switched left 2 out, soon challenging under pressure, led soon after last, ran on, ridden out
raced wide in touch, headway to 2nd before 4 out until mistake 4 out, weakened next
held up last, good headway between horses to 3rd 3 out, one pace from next
By far the most attractive contest on the card and all six can have more than respectable credentials. Oasis Knight has been waiting for this quicker ground and is respected accordingly, likewise the progressive and likeable Silver Lily. James Pollard is consistent, Rajamand was much improved last time at Wincanton and Ugo couldn't have been more impressive when outspeeding Jive Master at Exeter a few days ago. The bottomweight receives plenty of poundage all round despite a 7lb penalty and could well go in again but DOUBLE HANDFUL looks a tough nut to crack. The C&D winner has been in splendid nick this year and his latest Newbury second to Charm School represents good quality handicap hurdle form and really takes the eye here. The improving son of Pentire can maintain his improvement and claim a third success of the campaign.
Double Handful (GER) 5-1 (11-9) Held up towards rear, pushed along after 4 out, good headway on outside before 3 out, went 3rd well before 2 out, driven to lead last, headed 1f out, no extra, 2nd of 11, 5l behind Charm School (11-7) at Newbury 2m nov hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gd in Mar.
Rajamand (FR) 11-1 (11-2) Made all, in command when edged left after 2 out, heavily eased towards finish, unchallenged, won at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gs in Mar beating Monarch's Way (11-3) by 6l, 8 ran.
Oasis Knight (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) Took keen hold, held up in touch, hit 6th, headway approaching 4 out, chased leaders from 3 out, still well there 2 out, ridden and weakened between last 2, hit last, 7th of 13, 19l behind Merehead (11-7) at Ascot 2m 3f nov hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gd in Oct.
James Pollard (IRE) 20-1 (11-4) Mid-division, headway under pressure before 2 out, never able to challenge, 3rd of 11, 14l behind Katchmore (11-8) at Taunton 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gf in Mar.
Silver Lily (IRE) 6-1 (11-8) Mid-division, headway after 3 out, hampered and unseated rider next, in a race won by Houston Dynimo (11-7) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Aug, 7 ran.
Ugo (USA) 4-1 (10-2) Held up in touch, took closer order 4 out, led last, drew clear flat, easily, won at Exeter 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gf beating Jive Master (11-6) by 7l, 5 ran.
