chased leaders, every chance 3 out, soon ridden, kept on to take 2nd after last, rider lost whip
held up in mid-division, behind from 4 out
chased leaders, ridden approaching 2 out kept on same pace approaching last
mid-division, headway to chase leaders 4 out, ridden next, hit 2 out, soon weakened
mid-division, reminders and behind from 4 out
prominent, ridden 3 out, soon weakened
mid-division, ridden 4 out, weakened approaching next, pulled up before 2 out
tracked leaders and keen, hit 4 out, ridden 3 out, no impression from next
mid-division, ridden and weakened from 3 out
always behind, tailed off and pulled up before last
chased leader, challenged 3 out, led next, ridden clear approaching last, kept on well
held up, headway 4 out, ridden 3 out, one-paced from next
held up in mid-division, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened from next
led, ridden approaching 2 out, soon headed, kept on and lost 2nd place after last
in touch, mistake 4th, weakened from 4 out, pulled up before 2 out
always behind, pulled up before 2 out
behind, weakened approaching 3 out
mid-division, ridden 3 out, soon weakened
mid-division, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out
mid-division, headway approaching 5th, ridden approaching 2 out, no impression after
towards rear and keen, never a factor
A decent novices' event to start the card, with the selection going to Archie Babe. John Quinn's gelding was a fair middle distance handicapper on the flat, and made an encouraging if ultimately disappointing hurdling debut here in November. He was in contention before falling at the last that day, and the first two there have both won since. He then ran reasonably well when fourth at Doncaster last time, form on which he holds I Cried For You, and with that clear round under his belt he is fancied to step up and score here. Middlethorpe and Tribal Dispute are two obvious threats, with the latter coming good at Newcastle last time and likely to play a big role once again. The dark horse is clearly Tanikos, a winner in the provinces in France who makes his debut for Nicky Henderson and is probably worth noting in the betting.
