chased leaders, lost place 6th, soon behind, tailed off
raced keenly, held up mid-division, weakened 3 out, tailed off
behind, reminders 4th, weakening when not fluent 6th, soon lost touch and tailed off
led to 6th, chased winner until lost place after 3 out, kept on same paced from next
with leader, led 6th, made rest, ridden and stayed on well flat
mid-division, driven 3 out, stayed on to chase leaders next, one pace approaching last
in touch, outpaced when blundered 3 out, soon lost place, weakened next
held up, headway 3 out, driven approaching next, kept on same pace, no impression
raced keenly, tracked leaders, went 2nd after 3 out, effort when stumbled after next, kept on until no extra flat
slowly away, always in rear, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
Miss Tarantella was good value for her win at Hexham in November but that was on heavy ground off a mark of just 69 but she has struggled back in novice races since then and is likely to do so again here in a race taken to go to PRESQUE PERDRE, who gets the vote with Just Posh rated the best of the rest. The selection has shown improved form in two starts this month, latterly when chasing home Cassius over this trip at Newcastle, and a reproduction of that form should see him open his account. Howard Johnson's Barashi came good when dropped into selling grade here when last seen in December and he has claims in this company as this does not look the strongest of novices' hurdles. Roman Cruise showed some ability in bumpers but has yet to translate that level to hurdles, although he has only had the one start over timber. Just Posh, a course and distance winner in December, has struggled since that success but this is an easier assignment and she has to be considered but preference is for Presque Perdre, who is taken to open his account.
Blue Dove 100-1 (11-0) In touch, lost place over 5f out, weakened 3f out, 7th of 11, 35l behind Gunpoint (11-0) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nhf (6) gd.
Desert Maze (IRE) 66-1 (11-0) Held up, weakened approaching 3 out, 10th of 12, well behind Sharevar (11-0) at Sedgefield 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gf in Sept.
Just Posh 16-1 (11-8) In touch, lost place 3rd, soon struggling, behind when blundered 2 out, 5th of 9, 40l behind Zaffarella (10-4) at Hexham 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft.
Mick Flavin (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Left in touch 1st, outpaced 4th, soon well behind, 5th of 9, well behind Reindeer Dippin (11-1) at Hexham 2m nov hdl (4) sft.
Miss Tarantella 50-1 (10-12) Led to 5th, weakened approaching 3 out, 8th of 10, 35l behind Caravel (11-8) at Musselburgh 2m nov hdl (4) gf.
Presque Perdre 8-1 (11-6) Led, blundered and headed 6th, led again 4 out, hit 2 out, blundered last, soon ridden, headed and no extra towards finish, 3rd of 18, 1/2l behind Cassius (11-2) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd.
Roman Cruise 50-1 (11-2) Chased leader, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 13, 31l behind Dancing Dik (10-2) at Wetherby 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gd.
Trans Sonic 100-1 (11-2) Mid-division until weakened after 3 out, 12th of 14, 39l behind Punchestowns (11-2) at Sandown 2m nov hdl (3) gd in Feb '08.
Waterdale (IRE) 50-1 (10-13) Always towards rear, 11th of 13, well behind Dancing Dik (10-2) at Wetherby 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gd.
Barashi 4-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, went 2nd after 3 out, led after next, driven out, won at Sedgefield 2m 1f 3yo nov sll hdl (5) sft in Dec beating Rivington Pike (10-12) by 6l, 9 ran.
Silveretta 200-1 (10-8) Towards rear, never dangerous, 10th of 14, well behind Laborec (10-10) at Hexham 2m mdn nhf (6) gf in Apr '07.
Not Talking (IRE) 100-1 (10-9) Held up, weakening when jumped left 3 out, 5th of 9, well behind Gold Award (10-9) at Doncaster 2m cnd nov hdl (4) gd in Feb.
