raced on outside, tracked leaders, not fluent 3rd, 5th 2 out, chased winner from last, one pace run-in
set steady pace, hit 5th, headed 3 out, weakened quickly
took keen hold, in touch, ridden after 3 out, soon beaten
in touch, mistake, weakened 3 out
raced wide, tracked leaders in 4th, led, hit 3 out, hit 2 out, soon headed, no extra from last
held up in touch, ridden after 3 out, weakened before next
raced wide, held up, steady headway approaching 3 out, led on outer soon after 2 out, driven, stayed on run-in
tracked leader, challenged from 3 out, every chance 2 out, weakened, mistake last
not jumped well, blundered, rider lost irons 1st, always behind, tailed off
soon well behind, struggling after 3 out
Manners, Idris, Krismas Cracker and French Envoy look to be the leading lights in this novices' hurdle with the vote given to Manners. The selection finished fourth behind Noland last time who has since gone on to win a graded hurdle race and with his stable in good form it will be a major surprise if he is not able to take this contest. Idris was a decent second behind Dusky Lord at Fontwell last time and he looks to have a solid each-way chance but he has had nine outings over hurdles and he lacks the scope of our selection. Krismas Cracker ran okay in a decent race at Cheltenham but he was disappointing at Lingfield last time on soft ground and although his yard are in good form he looks best watched on this occasion. French Envoy ran well at Market Rasen last time after a disappointing effort at Fontwell when he may have bounced. This ground may not be ideal for him today as he is unproven in ground as testing as this. This is a good race to open the card and for the winner we will return to the well-regarded Manners.
Idris (GER) 2-1fav (11-10) Raced wide, tracked leader, led approaching 2 out, headed last, no extra, 2nd of 12, 3l behind Dusky Lord (11-10) at Fontwell 2m 2f nh nov hdl (4) gd.
Arctic Spirit 16-1 (10-11) Held up, pushed along 6th, ridden after 4 out, headway next, hard ridden approaching last, kept on, 2nd of 6, 1l behind Game On (11-2) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (D) gd in Feb '05.
Froghole Flyer 66-1 (11-4) Well behind when mistake 6th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Opera Mundi (10-7) at Folkestone 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) sft, 14 ran.
Hi Blue 150-1 (10-11) Always behind, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Molostiep (11-4) at Towcester 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gs, 16 ran.
King Louis (FR) 66-1 (11-4) Led to 3rd, stayed prominent, ridden and weakened between last 2, 5th of 15, 23l behind Straw Bear (11-11) at Folkestone 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Krismas Cracker 12-1 (11-0) In touch, joined leaders 4 out, weakened before 2 out, 17th of 19, well behind Blu Teen (11-0) at Lingfield 2m nov hdl (D) sft in Dec.
Manners (IRE) 7-1 (11-3) Held up, headway after 4th, ridden 3 out, kept on same pace from 2 out, 4th of 11, 26l behind Noland (11-11) at Exeter 2m 1f lst nov hdl (1) gs.
French Envoy (FR) 5-2 (11-4) In touch, chased winner from 3 out, stayed on from last, no impression, 2nd of 14, 7l behind Bougoure (11-10) at Market Rasen 2m 3f nh nov hdl (3) gd.
