took keen hold, held up in rear, ridden and outpaced after 6th, never a factor
took keen hold, tracked leaders, went second after 5th, led 3 out, strongly pressed from next, kept on well flat, all out
close up on outer, challenged from 3 out, upsides 2 out, still every chance when hit last, no extra flat
reluctant to line up, always behind, lost touch from 6th, tailed off
mistakes, led, mistake 3rd, blundered 5th, hit next, mistake and headed 3 out, weakened before next
pulled hard, held up, headway 5th, challenged next, still well there 3 out, weakened quickly soon after
held up, ridden and struggling from 3 out
took keen hold, held up, soon tracking leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened soon after
chased leader to after 5th, stayed handy, ridden before 3 out, no extra before next
held up in rear, headway 6th, chased leading pair 3 out, chased winner from last, kept on under pressure flat, just failed
A competitive maiden hurdle and narrow preference is for NOVIKOV over St Savarin and The Wily Woodcock. The selection was quite useful on the flat and he is having only his third run over hurdles today. He shaped with plenty of encouragement at Kempton last time when he was third behind Den Of Iniquity and he can progress again to land this. St Savarin has been a bit disappointing on the flat of late but he did go close over hurdles last March at Stratford and a reproduction of that effort should see him thereabouts at the finish. The Wily Woodcock has got some decent Flat form to his name and he has to be of interest on his hurdling bow. A watching brief on the market is advised for him, while Travelling Man shaped with promise in a bumper at Lingfield but he has been off the racecourse since September 2007. Novikov looks to be going the right way and he can gain his first success over hurdles.
Daring Racer (GER) 25-1 (10-12) Soon behind, struggling 7th, tailed off, 6th of 7, well behind Silver Serg (10-12) at Plumpton 2m 5f nov hdl (4) gf in Oct '07.
Intac (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden 4f out, no impression before straight and weakened, 6th of 7, 28l behind Bantry Commons (11-4) at Tipperary 2m nhf gd in May.
Novikov 8-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, ridden on long run after 2 out, lost 2nd last, 3rd of 12, 22l behind Den of Iniquity (11-4) at Folkestone 2m 1f nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
Our George 100-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders, weakened 6th, 7th of 12, 48l behind Den of Iniquity (11-4) at Folkestone 2m 1f nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
St Savarin (FR) 8-1 (10-12) Led after 1st, raced keenly and set strong pace and clear, reduced lead 6th, mistake and headed 3 out, weakened rapidly, 10th of 12, well behind Postmaster (11-9) at Plumpton 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
The Wily Woodcock 14-1 (9-0) Keen, mid-division, ridden 2f out, kept on, not pace to challenge, 6th of 12, 6l behind General Feeling (9-4) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Jan (Flat).
Traveling Man 25-1 (10-9) Held up, headway 5f out, ridden to chase leaders over 3f out, one pace, 6th of 12, 12l behind Outlandish (11-0) at Lingfield 2m nhf (6) gf in Sept '07.
Wingull (IRE) 200-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, weakened 4 out, 11th of 17, well behind Quwetwo (10-12) at Doncaster 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Nathan Dee 125-1 (10-7) Led and keen, headed after 3rd, weakened 3 out, 6th of 11, 24l behind Dontpaytheferryman (11-4) at Ludlow 2m 3yo nov sll hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Where's Susie 100-1 (9-11) In touch, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, 12th of 16, 42l behind Ainama (11-4) at Kempton 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
