chased leaders, mistake 4 out, hard ridden to challenge after 2 out, kept on well under pressure, never reached winner
mid-division, headway after 3 out, chased leaders next, kept on same pace approaching last
mid-division, headway before 2 out, soon no impression
chased leaders, effort after 3 out, soon ridden and weakened
pulled hard in rear, effor 3 out, soon beaten
held up in rear, headway 3 out, soon chasing leaders, never on terms
led until approaching 3rd, remained prominent, mistake 7th, soon lost place, behind when pulled up 2 out
in touch, lost place 3 out
tracked leader, ridden to challenge 2 out, kept on same pace
mid-division, headway 3 out, chased leaders next, never on terms
held up in rear, headway approaching 4 out, weakened 2 out
always behind, struggling 4 out, pulled up 2 out
always prominent, led approaching 3rd, strongly challenged 2 out, stayed on gamely
The Bear Trap gives the impression he doesn't find much off the bridle, though he was only beaten a head off his new mark at Ffos Las earlier this month. Bourne should go well as he ran well at Cheltenham after winning at Kempton and stays this longer trip while Top Of The Range doesn't look badly handicapped, though Barry Geraghty rides Nicky Henderson's other runner General Miller who has been off the track for 18 months. Queens Grove has won her last four starts in handicaps but takes a steep rise in class here and we are more interested in HOLD COURT. He was run off his feet by The New One in Grade 2 novice event at Warwick last month but may have just needed that after a short break. Impressive at Ludlow in the autumn, he nay have got in lightly here. Whitby Jack won at Kempton last time and though a long way behind Lord Of House at Sandown earlier may have needed that run. He may be the pick of the remainder.
Sadler's Risk (IRE) 11-1 (11-10) Mid-division, outpaced 2 out, weakend before last, 14th of 15, well behind Mr Watson (10-3) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl (2) hvy in Jan.
Bourne 9-1 (11-2) Behind, pushed along from 3rd, headway under pressure on outside before 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on to take 4th towards finish, never nearer, 4th of 15, 10l behind Mr Watson (10-3) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl (2) hvy in Jan.
General Miller 3-1fav (10-9) Chased leaders, ridden 2 out, stayed on, never troubled winner, 2nd of 10, 5l behind Overturn (11-10) at Perth 2m ltd hcp hdl (2) gd in Aug '11.
El Dancer (GER) 25-1 (10-8) Mid-division, in touch 7th, outpaced 3 out, weakened after 2 out, mistake last, 7th of 14, 27l behind Medinas (10-10) at Ffos Las 2m 4f ltd hcp hdl (2) hvy.
Tango De Juilley (FR) 20-1 (11-7) Raced keenly, tracked leaders, driven and outpaced after 2 out, kept on same pace, no impression with leading trio approaching last, 4th of 6, 12l behind Grumeti (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 1f 4yo hdl Grade 2 (1) gs in Jan '12.
Hold Court (IRE) 12-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders on inside, not much room on bend and lost place before 7th, soon closed up, went 2nd 8th, no chance with winner after 3 out, mistake and weakened 2 out, 3rd of 7, 37l behind The New One (11-7) at Warwick 2m 5f nov hdl Grade 2 (1) sft in Jan.
Queens Grove 4-6fav (11-13) Chased leaders, went right 4th, went close 2nd and hit 3 out, led before 2 out, clear when hit last, kept on strongly, won at Fontwell 2m 4f Mares Handicap Hurdle (0-120) (3yo+) (4) hvy in Dec beating Twin Bud (10-11) by 10l, 6 ran.
Lord Of House (GER) 7-1 (10-4) Tracked leaders, outpaced when jumped right 2 out, ridden and no impression before last, 6th of 15, 18l behind Mr Watson (10-3) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl (2) hvy in Jan.
Top Of The Range (IRE) 6-1 (9-9) Not fluent, chased leaders, mistake 4th, ridden before 2 out, kept on same pace, 4th of 9, 6l behind African Gold (10-0) at Newbury 2m 5f hcp hdl (2) hvy in Dec.
The Cockney Mackem (IRE) 13-8fav (10-4) Tracked leaders, not fluent 12th, hit 4 out and pecked, soon outpaced, weakened next, held on for remote 3rd, 3rd of 5, 42l behind Hector's Choice (11-1) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs G2 (1) gs in Apr.
Whitby Jack 10-1 (10-5) Chased clear leading pair, closed 4 out, led 2 out, pushed along and over 2 lengths ahead when hit last, shaken up and kept on strongly flat, won at Kempton 2m hcp hdl 0-140 (3) sft in Jan beating General Ting (9-11) by 4l, 11 ran.
The Bear Trap (IRE) 7-4fav (10-13) Held up in rear, headway on outside 6th, led when not fluent 2 out, headed approaching last, edged left flat, stayed on, just held, 2nd of 14, hd behind Kaylif Aramis (10-8) at Ffos Las 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) hvy.
Kuilsriver (IRE) 9-2 (10-12) Held up in touch and raced wide, ridden before 2 out, one pace, 6th of 14, 19l behind Mr Watson (11-5) at Plumpton 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
