prominent, ridden and led approaching 3 out, headed run in, rallied close home, just failed
held up, headway 7th, ridden after next, gradually weakened, pulled up before 2 out
tracked leader, ridden after 8th, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, effort 6th, ridden and weakened after 8th, pulled up before 3 out
mid-division, smooth headway to go in touch approaching 3 out, soon ridden, kept on to lead last, all out
held up towards rear, headway 7th to chase leader, ridden 3 out, chased leader next, soon onepaced
led, hit 1st and 4th, headed approaching 6th, ridden in 5th when fell 3 out
mid-division, ridden approaching 3 out, gradually weakened
in touch, led approaching 6th, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, gradually weakened
behind, lost touch 8th, pulled up before last
in touch, ridden and outpaced from 7th
mid-division and keen early, lost touch 7th
Some lightly raced and progressive hurdlers on view including Derivative who appears to hold strong claims. The Venetia Williams-trained gelding faced no easy task in a competitive handicap at Cheltenham last time but acquitted himself well to finish sixth of 15 off a mark of 115. The son of Erin's Isle had previously shown plenty of ability when finishing strongly to reach the frame in novice events over two miles at both Uttoxeter and Newbury and will appreciate the step up to today's trip. Hunters Creek is a dual winner over fences and is not without claims after reaching the frame on his last two starts over hurdles but may prove vulnerable to the selection's speed at this distance. Castle Richard showed good battling qualities to get up close home at Sedgefield when last seen out but had nothing to spare and has to defy both a penalty and a two-month absence. Spree Vision made a winning start to his hurdling career at Newcastle in November before being later disqualified for a banned substance and has a little to find with the selection on these terms judged on two subsequent efforts.
