tracked leaders, weakened from 4 out, no danger
always behind, no headway from halfway
always towards rear, some moderate late headway, never nearer
behind when pulled up before 6th
in touch, every chance 3 out, weakened from next
always prominent, improved to lead 3 out, clear 2 out, pushed out, stayed on strongly
prominent, chased winner 3 out, challenged 2 out, no impression
prominent until weakened and pulled up before 6th
behind when pulled up before 2 out
rear early, some headway halfway, no impression from 3 out
led until 6th, weakened next, no chance from 3 out
always close up, every chance 3 out, ran on one pace from 2 out
slowly into stride, always rear, headway 6th, ridden and weakened 3 out
held up, improved 3 out, ran on one pace from 2 out
always behind, no chance from 4 out, tailed off when bad mistake last
Lets Be Frank Has been dropped 9 lbs since the start of the year; has mainly run over fences this season; no doubt, his hurdles form of three to four years ago would give him a chance here but he has been struggling for form of late.
Lizzys First The pick of hurdles efforts over the last two years says he's not without a chance, particularly given that he goes well here; that said, he reverts to hurdling after a number of unsuccessful chase runs.
Forest Run Forest He had to dig deep to win at Leicester last time (2m4:5f,heavy); ran second over this course and distance the time before; the Pipe stable won that race so they'll have a line on the chances of Guard Duty; 2m4f suits him well so this may prove a fraction sharp.
Mont Aca (FR) Ran quite well as a novice in the first half of last season and stayed 2m4f; has been chasing this year and is a course winner on heavy in that sphere.
Repunzel Won a mares novice hurdle at Plumpton last April (2m,good to soft); entitled to come on for her seasonal reappearance although that was 113 days ago.
Guard Duty Connections went to 17,500 guineas to buy him back after he won a seller here on Jan 18; he then won very easily over course and distance next time, for which he has been raised only 1 lb; this will test him more but it's not a strong race and he's likely to be a warm order here; acts on heavy.
On The Right Side Not a bad effort last time behind Michel De Moeurs here on Jan 30 (2m1f,heavy); lightly-raced and entitled to improve.
Key Grip (IRE) His rider took the wrong course in a Plumpton seller last time; previously he'd been well beaten in chases.
Nick's Choice Long absence and only modest form to overcome if he's to play any part here.
Shifting Moon Won off a mark 3lbs higher earlier in the year so is entitled to run his usual race here; probably prefers better ground but acts on soft.
Fifth Generation (IRE) Mainly a chaser these days; ran quite well to be second to Suplizi in a selling hurdle at Uttoxeter last time but can't really be fancied to take this.
Dancing Paddy Formerly a decent hurdler and very good chaser but hasn't shown any form for a while and is now 13; liked good and good to soft back in those days.
Meadows Boy Has been tried at up to 3m2f;unlucky not to win the time before last although that was a modest event.
Oudalmuteena (IRE) Won a conditional jockeys race off a mark of 75 on Dec 1 at Exeter (2m3f,heavy); fairly lightly-raced but would have to step up on what he's shown so far.
Tathmin Very lightly-race since winning in 1997 and it's hard to make a strong case for him from 7 lbs out of the handicap.
Tip Image (FR) Ran quite well in soft ground when blinkered at Auteil last April; the handicapper may have underrated her slightly but she still races here from 14 lbs out of the handicap.
