close up, ridden to lead when went right and mistake 2 out, headed approaching last, no extra
took keen hold in rear, headway after 5th, ridden after 3 out, weakened next
mid-division, headway 6th, effort after 3 out, kept on same pace from next
tracked leaders, went 2nd 5th until after 3 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace
in touch, ridden after 3 out, soon one pace
tracked leader until 5th, soon ridden, weakened after 3 out
led, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, soon one pace
close up, ridden approaching 2 out, led last, ran on, ridden out
There was little to choose between YETHOLM and Excape on the flat and it is the same over hurdles but the former has had less racing, may be open to more improvement and he gets the vote with the main danger rated as Fly With The Stars. David Pipe's gelding lacks any experience over hurdles but is the highest rated of these on the flat and, with the yard more than capable of producing one to win first time out, he has to be respected. Alan King's Unanswered has been well held in both starts in bumpers and looks best watched at this stage, while John Berry's Take Me There is likely to struggle under his penalty as he did when disappointing at Market Rasen behind Whisky Magic when last seen over timber. Guydus has shown some promise in two starts in bumpers and may do better now switched to hurdles by Venetia Williams but a bigger threat is likely to come from Nicky Henderson's Excape, who should appreciate the drop in class having run in the Adonis last time. Preference though is for Yetholm, who was lightly raced on the flat for James Fanshawe and has shown promise in both starts over timber; he can open his account today.
Take Me There 5-1 (11-5) Held up in touch of chasing group, ridden after 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 8th of 9, 42l behind Whisky Magic (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
More Than That (IRE) 20-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, ridden 4f out, soon weakened, last of 11, well behind Roman Conquest (11-1) at Wincanton 2m nhf (5) hvy in Jan.
Murfreesboro 50-1 (11-3) Mid-division, weakened halway, 11th of 13, well behind Qozak (11-9) at Taunton 2m 3f nov hdl (3) gs in Feb.
Persian Storm (GER) 10-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, headway 5th, weakened after 3 out, 9th of 13, well behind King Brex (11-2) at Kempton 2m nov hdl (4) gd in Feb.
Unanswered 12-1 (10-9) Lost touch halfway, 10th of 15, well behind Double Pride (10-12) at Warwick 2m nhf (6) hvy in Jan.
Boogie Dancer 100-1 (10-1) Mid-division, ridden and weakened soon after 3 out, 11th of 14, 27l behind Stance (10-4) at Sandown 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Feb.
Excape (IRE) 9-1 (10-12) In touch until mistake and dropped to last 4 out, soon lost touch and eased, 4th of 7, 38l behind Hebridean (10-12) at Kempton 2m nov hdl Grd 2 (1) gs in Feb.
Fly With The Stars (USA) 5-1 (9-3) Chased winner until over 1f out, soon weakened, 3rd of 12, 12l behind West With The Wind (9-3) at Southwell 1m 4f mdn stk (5) fbs in Nov (Flat).
Guydus (IRE) 5-2fav (11-2) Prominent, ridden 5f out, weakened over 2f out, 6th of 9, 31l behind Gentle Caribou (11-2) at Towcester 2m mrs nhf (5) hvy in Feb.
Jackers 16-1 (10-12) Mid-division, ridden over 3f out, soon behind, 11th of 18, 24l behind Suburban Bay (10-9) at Warwick 1m 6f jnr opn nhf (5) sft in Nov.
Soviet Cat (IRE) 150-1 (10-0) Led until 4th and fell at the 5th in race won by Another Display (11-2) at Taunton 2m 3f nov hdl (4) sft, 12 ran.
Strong Market 14-1 (8-9) Behind, ridden 4f out, soon outpaced, never dangerous, 10th of 11, 20l behind Semah Harold (8-9) at W'hampton 7f 2yo mdn auc (5) pol in Jul '07 (Flat).
Yetholm (USA) 10-1 (10-12) Mid-division, ridden and headway approaching 3 out, kept on well flat to press for 3rd near finish, 4th of 15, 16l behind Silk Hall (10-12) at Newbury 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) gd in Feb.
