held up in last pair, pushed along before 5th, ridden after 3 out, headway before next, soon ridden, weakened soon after 2 out, hit last
chased leaders, went 2nd well before 2 out, ridden and lost 2nd soon after 2 out, hit last, stayed on same pace flat, lost 3rd last strides
held up in rear, mistake and unseated rider 3rd
raced wide and keen in touch, mistake 5th, ridden in 4th after 3 out, weakened before next, well beaten when hit last
took keen hold, chased leader, led before 3rd, hit 5th, headed 3 out, chased leader until weakened quickly before next
chased leading pair until before 3rd, ridden and weakened 3 out,
led, headed before 3rd, chased leader, led again 3 out, ridden and hung right after 2 out, over 1 length ahead last, no extra flat and headed final 100 yards
held up in touch, ridden and headway when switched right before 2 out, stayed on under pressure flat, went 3rd last strides
in touch, slightly outpaced 5th, stayed on before 2 out, went 2nd after 2 out, over 1 length down when hit last, stayed on gamely under pressure to lead final 100 yards
Shalambar has come good since teaming up with Lee Edwards, winning a conditionals' race at Doncaster and following up in a novices' handicap at Warwick. He's been put up 7lb for that latest success but should still prove tough to beat here getting 5lb from Super Directa, who was beaten in a three-horse race at Plumpton 11 days ago and has yet to show he's fully recovered from injury. High Hoylander has enjoyed mixed fortunes over hurdles so far but wasn't disgraced when fourth at Market Rasen. He doesn't look badly handicapped but QALINAS is just as interesting given he shaped with a lot more promise at Taunton last time. Given plenty to do that day, he stayed on steadily up the straight to only finish 15 lengths behind Triumph Hurdle hope Brampour and this stiffer track should suit.
First Avenue 25-1 (10-1) Always rear-division, tailed off, 13th of 16, well behind Art Professor (10-5) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl (2) gs in Jan.
Super Directa (GER) 13-8 (11-12) Chased wiinner until 3 out, went 2nd again soon after, ridden and no impression 2 out, never able to challenge, 2nd of 3, 4 1/2l behind Beau Lake (10-5) at Plumpton 2m nov hcp 0-115 (4) hvy.
Perfect Reward 11-4fav (11-5) Led until approaching 5th, not fluent 7th, ridden before 3 out, weakened before 2 out, tailed off, 6th of 7, 41l behind Big Talk (10-4) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f sll hdl (5) hvy in Jan.
Rajamand (FR) 11-4 (11-5) Held up towards rear, steady headway 4 out, challenged and every chance when blundered next, soon ridden and one pace, well held 3rd when fell last, in a race won by Full Of Joy (10-12) at Newbury 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Nov, 16 ran.
High Hoylander 40-1 (10-13) Held up towards rear, headway 7th, chased leaders after 3 out, challenging in close 3rd when pushed left 2 out, switched right driven and no extra before last, 4th of 14, 13l behind Risaala (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 3f NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (3) gd.
Shalambar (IRE) 4-1fav (10-13) With leader, led 4th, ridden approaching 2 out, hung left approaching last and flat, held on, won at Warwick 2m nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs beating Switched Off (11-9) by 3/4l, 14 ran.
Qalinas (FR) 33-1 (10-2) Mid-division, ridden 3 out, headway after next, left in 4th at last, never troubled leaders, 4th of 14, 16l behind Brampour (10-7) at Taunton 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gd.
Posh Emily 16-1 (11-9) Mid-division, headway approaching 6th, soon with leaders, effort 2 out, soon one pace, 3rd of 14, 10l behind Calico Rose (10-11) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd.
Kadouchski (FR) 5-1 (11-11) Tracked leaders, pushed along 5th, weakened 2 out, 5th of 6, 24l behind Zelos Diktator (10-6) at Folkestone 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) hvy in Jan.
