in touch, ridden approaching 6th, soon weakened
prominent, led after 5th, ridden after 3 out, jumped left, hit last, all out flat
prominent, mistake 4th, kept on same pace from 2 out
soon led, headed 5th, ridden, weakened 7th
always towards rear, tailed off, jumped right 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
blundered 1st, always towards rear, no impression
held up towards rear, weakened 6th, pulled up before 7th
mid-division, headway on bit before 6th, ridden after 7th, weakened after 3 out
chased leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
chased leaders, outpaced 3 out, rallied, kept on to go 3rd from last
mid-division, ridden after 7th, kept on same pace from 2 out
mid-division, weakened after 6th, pulled up before 3 out
towards rear, tailed off 6th, pulled up before 3 out
held up mid-division, ridden, headway to chase leaders after 3 out, every chance 2 out, kept on from last but not reach winner
Samandara has claims on the form shown in a maiden hurdle at Ludlow last month but Alan King's horses have disappointed of late so he may be best watched and a chance is taken with Idian Mix, who is preferred to Assoon. The last mentioned has run to a consistent level of form in handicaps in his last two starts and is entitled to be thereabouts again. Sarin is entitled to come on for his reappearance run behind the useful Straw Bear and is potentially well treated on his first start in a handicap, while Westernmost could probably do with some more help from the handicapper. Princesse Grec has been pulled up in his last three starts so is hard to recommend and preference is for Idian Mix. Martin Pipe's gelding is relatively unexposed after just two starts for current connections and, in the hope that he improves for his two previous starts this term, he gets the vote.
Idian Mix (FR) 20-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, led 6th until next, soon weakened, 6th of 13, 22l behind Down's Folly (11-4) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Jan.
Assoon 12-1 (11-3) Held up in touch, ridden approaching 3 out, one pace, 5th of 9, 12l behind Come Bye (11-11) at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Jan.
Samandara (FR) 8-1 (11-2) Held up, smooth headway 7th, led last, headed flat, not quicken, 2nd of 16, 1 1/2l behind Atlantic Jane (11-2) at Ludlow 2m 5f mrs mdn hdl (4) gd in Jan.
Dunshaughlin (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, headway 5th, weakened after 3 out, 4th of 13, 17l behind Standin Obligation (11-7) at Towcester 2m nov hdl (E) gs in Apr.
Sarin 16-1 (11-4) Keen hold, close up, ridden and weakened after 2 out, 7th of 15, 28l behind Straw Bear (11-11) at Folkestone 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Princesse Grec (FR) 16-1 (11-3) With leaders, weakened 15th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Umbrella Man (11-12) at Southwell 3m hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in Jan, 12 ran.
Westernmost 10-3fav (11-4) Mid-division, headway 6th, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 4th of 12, 25l behind Prairie Law (10-11) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f sll hdl (5) gs.
Xila Fontenailles (FR) 16-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, 9th of 17, 36l behind Ishka Baha (11-4) at Wincanton 2m nov hcp hdl 0-95 (F) gd in Dec.
