tracked leaders, headway 3 out, led before next, ridden and stayed on well flat
held up towards rear, headway on outside to go prominent 5th, challenged 3 out, kept on and every chance until ridden and one pace between last 2
held up behind, driven and outpaced approaching 3 out, soon ridden, stayed on under pressure to chase winner approaching last, no impression flat
held up when brought down 2 out
led to before 3rd, tracked leader, driven and lost place approaching 3 out, weakened next
held up, blundered badly and unseated rider 4 out
mid-division, headway and in touch 4 out, effort when not fluent 2 out, weakened approaching last
mid-division when fell 4 out
tracked leader, led before 3rd, headed approaching 2 out, soon ridden and weakened
Nonrunner
It could pay to side with HOLIDAY COCKTAIL in this handicap hurdle; the list of dangers is headed by Currahee and King In Waiting. John Quinn's 7-year-old has not been seen out over hurdles for a while but he is fit from the flat and he still looks to be well treated on the pick of his hurdles form. The ground will not be a problem and he can get his head in front. Currahee hasn't been seen out since May but he was a winner that day and any further rain would be a big plus for him as he does love to get his toe in. King In Waiting was all-out to beat Grazeon Gold Blend in a maiden hurdle at Newcastle last month but he could be vulnerable today in handicap company. Peter Toole is good value for his 5lbs claim and his presence in the saddle is a plus for L'Eau Du Nil, but a stronger case can be made for Holiday Cocktail and he takes our vote.
Fushe Jo 7-1 (11-12) In touch, ridden and weakened 3 out, weakened and pulled up before next, in a race won by Currahee (9-11) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Apr, 7 ran.
L'Eau Du Nil (FR) 13-8fav (11-8) Held up towards rear, blundered badly and unseated rider 4th, in a race won by Bundle Up (10-0) at Chepstow 2m clm hdl (5) sft, 11 ran.
King In Waiting (IRE) 7-2 (11-0) Held up mid-division, led approaching 2 out, clear approaching last, just held on, won at Newcastle 2m mdn hdl (5) gd in Oct beating Grazeon Gold Blend (11-0) by hd, 16 ran.
Currahee 11-2 (11-3) Prominent, led 3 out, drew clear after last, easily, won at Cartmel 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in May beating Michaels Dream (10-2) by 15l, 10 ran.
Holiday Cocktail 4-1 (11-0) Held up mid-division, ridden approaching 2 out, one pace, 3rd of 10, 4l behind Red Admiral (11-3) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Oct '08.
Liberty Seeker (FR) 10-3 (11-2) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 5th, chased winner 2 out, no impression flat, 2nd of 13, 1 1/2l behind Roisin's Prince (10-12) at Towcester 2m sell hdl (5) gs.
Sendali (FR) 9-2fav (10-9) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out one pace, 4th of 12, 8l behind Whisky Magic (11-9) at Carlisle 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Oct.
Rosbay (IRE) 7-1 (10-8) Held up mid-division and keen, one pace from 2 out, 3rd of 12, 8l behind Whisky Magic (11-9) at Carlisle 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Oct.
La Fortalesa (IRE) 33-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders, weakened last, 9th of 11, 23l behind Cast Iron Casey (11-12) at Kelso 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Oct.
Haka Dancer (USA) 50-1 (10-5) Chased leader, led 3 out, headed 2 out, soon ridden and weakened quickly, 8th of 11, 39l behind Hunting Tower (11-4) at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Oct.
