behind, headway 3 out, soon hard driven to challenge, never on terms
held up in touch, ridden and effort 3 out, chased leaders next, kept on same pace
held up in rear, headway 3out, soon no impression, pulled up before last
pressed leaders, hard ridden 2 out, challenging when left in lead last, all out
chased leaders, lost place before 5th, rallied before 2 out, never on terms
prominent, lost place 4 out, soon beaten
raced in rear, headway 3 out, chased leaders next, one pace approaching last
mid-division, weakened 3 out
close up, led 3 out, strongly challenged when fell last
tracked leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, hampered and left in 2nd at last, kept on
held up in rear, headway 3 out, hard ridden next, soon weakened
held up in rear, headway 2 out, chased leaders next, never nearer
led until 3 out, soon weakened, eased before last
always behind
in touch, lost place before 3 out
always behind
We round off the meeting with an open looking handicap hurdle. Many seem to hold decent chances but the improving NONO LE SAGE may be able to take this from Watergate and Exulto. David Pipe's horse has a 17 lbs hike in the handicap to overcome but judging by the manner of his last two victories he should be up to it. His last two starts have been won on the bridle and if still progressing he'll be tough to over turn. Paul Nicholls is represented by Watergate and his unexposed son of Verglas may have more to offer over hurdles. He was a decent sort on the flat once holding a rating of 90 and this flat track should play to his strengths. Philip Hobbs' Exulto is another unexposed horse in the field and surprisingly he has been dropped two lbs for his latest ran. He finished seven lengths behind Zafranagar 26 days ago and that was a decent effort. This race looks less competitive and he should make his presence felt. Others to monitor are Sagunt and Erdeli in a competitive race but marginal preference is for Nono Le Sage.
Huguenot (IRE) 15-2 (10-10) Held up towards rear, weakened 4 out, 5th of 7, 41l behind Just Rob (11-3) at Ludlow 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft.
Sagunt (GER) 7-1 (11-0) In touch, raced keenly, challenged 3 out, led after 2 out, headed after last, no extra when lost 2nd flat, 3rd of 12, 8l behind William's Wishes (10-13) at Worcester 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gd in Sep.
Erdeli (IRE) 33-1 (11-7) Mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, kept on on same pace, 5th of 18, 15l behind Knight In Purple (10-4) at Doncaster 2m nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Mar.
Eastern Paramour (IRE) 25-1 (10-2) Held up in rear when mistake and unseated rider 2nd, in a race won by Nice One Eric (11-0) at Wincanton 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Mar, 17 ran.
Exulto (IRE) 7-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway 4 out, chased leaders approaching 2 out, never able to challenge, 6th of 11, 7l behind Zafranagar (11-5) at Kempton 2m nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Mar.
Ardmaddy (IRE) 18-1 (10-12) Always towards rear, never troubled leaders, 7th of 10, well behind Treaty Flyer (11-4) at Southwell 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in May.
Always Cruising (USA) 20-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, soon one pace, 4th of 13, 25l behind Oddshoes (11-5) at Wincanton 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Apr '09.
Watergate (IRE) 11-4 (10-7) Held up in rear, took keen hold, headway after 3 out, hung right after 2 out, went modest 3rd flat until near finish, 4th of 12, 9l behind Whistlejacquet (11-3) at Taunton 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Feb.
Boogie Dancer 25-1 (10-5) Mid-division, headway to chase leaders after 3 out, went 2nd before last, no chance with very easy winner, 2nd of 12, 4l behind Ciceron (11-2) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Mar.
Jenny Potts 14-1 (10-13) In touch, ridden to go 3rd 3 out, weakened last, 6th of 11, 22l behind Tiger O'toole (11-11) at Taunton 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in Mar.
Jackers 16-1 (10-11) Mid-division, headway approaching 7th, went 3rd when hit 3 out, no impression, 3rd of 13, 18l behind Estate (11-2) at Ludlow 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Mar.
Nono Le Sage (FR) 8-15fav (10-2) Held up in rear, headway travelling strongly to go 2nd 4th, led on bit after 3 out, clear when mistake last, easily, won at Warwick 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft in Mar beating Lemon Silk (11-5) by 4 1/2l, 7 ran.
General Smith 8-1 (10-7) Raced keenly, tracked winner, led 6th, ridden and headed between last 2, weakened and lost 3rd when mistake last, 4th of 11, 15l behind Alfloramoor (11-4) at Southwell 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Mar.
Young Tot (IRE) 11-4fav (11-9) Chased clear leaders, closed after 6th, ridden 3 out, no extra towards finish, 3rd of 11, 2 3/4l behind Allperksonice (10-9) at Fakenham 2m cnd sll hcp hdl 0-85 (5) gf in Oct.
Royal Prodigy (USA) 3-1fav (10-13) Chased leaders, under pressure 5th, rallied after 3 out, soon one pace, 3rd of 7, 25l behind Canshebemine (9-13) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f sell hcp hdl 0-95 (5) hvy in Mar.
Compton Star 7-2 (10-6) Tracked leader, pushed along approaching 7th, soon weakened, last of 6, 42l behind Global Strategy (10-13) at Plumpton 2m sell hcp hdl 0-90 (5) sft in Mar.
Honeycombe 100-1 (10-5) Always behind, 9th of 10, well behind Je Ne Sais Plus (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f mrs nov hdl (4) gf in May.
