held up, headway halfway, led last, pushed out
mid-division, pushed along 5th, weakened after next
tracked leader until approaching 2out, no extra
tracked leaders, fell 6th
chased leaders to halfway, soon weakened
in touch to 6th, soon behind
mid-division, outpaced halfway
mid-division, outpaced halfway, kept on one pace from 2 out
led, headed last, kept on
towards rear, struggling halfway, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
towards rear, blundered and unseated rider 3 out
soon behind, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
Kavegirl has done enough to suggest she is capable of winning a race of this nature, though she weakened quickly at Exeter last time and has shown her best form over further in the past. Cruise In Style is usually thereabouts in this grade, as is Murfreesboro who may just have needed his recent C&D run. Blinkers could bring about some improvement in Seigneur De Guerre who was well backed at Exeter last month but we fancy AUREATE to go close in this opener. A regular winner on the Flat, he ran his best race so far over hurdles at Hereford last time when travelling strongly throughout. This could be finally be his day, despite a 4lb higher mark.
Chesil Beach Boy 25-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway 4 out, soon chasing leaders, hard ridden to challenge next, weakened approaching last, 4th of 14, 31l behind Knock A Hand (11-5) at Chepstow 2m 4f nov hdl (4) hvy.
Generous Bob 16-1 (11-7) Mid-division, headway before 7th, pushed along and outpaced after 3 out, left poor 5th 2 out, tailed off and pulled up before last, in a race won by Water Garden (11-4) at Wincanton 2m 6f NH Novice Handicap Hurdle (0-105) (3yo+) (4) gs, 10 ran.
Freckle Face 40-1 (10-9) Led to before 3 out, weakened next, 8th of 14, 22l behind Close House (11-0) at Towcester 2m mdn hdl (5) gs.
Seigneur De Guerre (FR) 5-2fav (11-1) Chased leaders, went 2nd 3rd until next, weakened after 4 out, tailed off, 6th of 9, well behind Azione (10-4) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Nov.
Aureate 25-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, mistake next, went 2nd before last, led last, headed and not pace of winner final 100 yards, 2nd of 15, 1 1/4l behind Sustainability (11-3) at Hereford 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs in Nov.
Champagne Rosie 50-1 (10-5) Chased leaders, hit 4th, one pace and no impression when went right 2 out, 4th of 13, 24l behind Swincombe Flame (10-5) at Exeter 2m 1f NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) sft.
The Society Man (IRE) 40-1 (11-6) Held up mid-division, lost place and towards rear when fell 8th, in a race won by Rock Peak (10-0) at Wincanton 2m cond nov hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gs in Nov, 8 ran.
Kavegirl 10-1 (10-11) In touch, weakened before 3 out, 8th of 9, 42l behind Mission Complete (11-8) at Exeter 2m 5f 4yo Am hcp 0-100 (5) hvy.
Anay Turge (FR) 9-2 (10-10) Took keen hold, led, ridden after 2 out, headed last, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 9, 2l behind Southway Star (10-9) at Exeter 2m 3f cond nov hcp hdl 0-100 (5) sft.
Tuskar (USA) 20-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, effort before 2 out, never dangerous, 5th of 7, 38l behind Kickahead (10-12) at Taunton 2m 1f sell hdl (5) gd in Nov.
Cruise In Style (IRE) 8-1 (10-2) Mid-division on outside, headway 4 out, went 2nd when blunder next, outpaced when wandered and edged left next, soon no impression, lost 2nd last, just held on for 3rd, 3rd of 12, 12l behind Drumlang (10-8) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gs in Nov.
Murfreesboro 10-3 (10-5) Held up towards rear, headway before 2 out, went 3rd before last, chased winner soon after, one pace and no impression, 2nd of 8, 8l behind Rock Peak (10-0) at Wincanton 2m cond nov hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gs in Nov.
