took keen hold in mid-division, headway 10th, struggling approaching 3 out
held up in last pair, mistake 6th, ridden after 11th, stayed on same pace from last, never dangerous
tendency to jump right, took keen hold, led, pecked 2 out, soon headed, no chance with winner, held on well for 2nd flat
held up in last pair, took keen hold, brought very wide and good headway approaching 4 out, led on bit after 2 out, soon clear, very easily
in touch, pushed along and lost place after 9th, progress 12th, mistakes 3 out, weakened after 2 out
prominent, went 2nd 7th, ridden after 3 out, one pace from 2 out
held up in rear, not fluent 9th, mistake 10th, ridden after next, mistake 4 out, headway 3 out, weakened well before last
Oumeyade romped home in a Ludlow handicap hurdle last month and looks pretty well treated after an abortive first attempt over fences, and we will give him another chance here, while Dynamic Rhythm and Commemoration Day are respected. The Paul Nicholls-trained selection was travelling very well at the head of affairs when Sam Thomas steered the wrong course at Fakenham last time, and Ruby Walsh is now back in the plate. Trip and ground suit and he can gain compensation for his backers here. Dynamic Rhythm relishes a quicker surface and this sort of trip looks to be ideal. He won a Towcester beginner's chase before being thrashed over three miles last time out. The return to this trip is probably a plus though, so he can get competitive. Commemoration Day also has conditions and trip to suit, but lately Nigel Twiston-Davies's runner has not been showing a huge amount over fences and by the look of things he will need more than a 2lb drop to win again. Tanners Court is arguably well handicapped on his hurdles form but needs to show more, and Kelv may prove best of the rest. However, for today we'll take Oumeyade to right the wrongs of Fakenham.
Commemoration Day (IRE) 5-2fav (10-12) Behind, driven and headway approaching 4 out, one pace from next, 3rd of 10, 28l behind Orrezzo (10-5) at Ludlow 2m nov chs (3) gd in Apr.
Dynamic Rhythm (USA) 14-1 (10-11) Held up, ridden 13th, no impression from 4 out, 3rd of 5, 24l behind Mister Gloss (11-4) at Exeter 2m 7f nov chs (4) gf.
Tanners Court 33-1 (10-7) Chased winner, ridden after 13th, soon weakened, 9th of 12, well behind Kings Euro (11-12) at Newbury 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Feb.
Oumeyade (FR) 2-5fav (11-12) Held up in rear, headway on bit 9th, soon chased leader, led briefly after next until jockey took wrong course and pulled up at the 11th in race won by Tipp Top (10-0) at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gf, 7 ran.
Moment Of Magic (IRE) 4-1jt-fav (11-10) Never better than mid-division, 8th of 16, 25l behind So Now (11-6) at Newbury 3m cnd nov hcp hdl (4) gs in Feb.
Ask Oscar (IRE) 18-1 (11-2) In touch, headway to chase leader 3 out, ridden and kept on one pace from 2 out, 5th of 16, 12l behind Sandymac (11-2) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Apr.
Theocritus (GER) 4-1jt-fav (11-2) Held up, reminders after 7th, headway 10th, pressed leader after 4 out, soon ridden, every chance when pecked 2 out, one pace after, 3rd of 9, 7l behind Mylo (11-5) at N Abbot 2m 5f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf.
Kelv 11-1 (11-9) Towards rear, headway 6th, ridden and weakened 3 out, 11th of 16, 20l behind High Jack (11-8) at Towcester 2m 3f cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs in Apr.
