held up in touch, ridden and in 4th going to 3 out, rallying and about 5 lengths down when in 4th and fell last
mid-division, hit 7th, weakened after next
held up towards rear, headway approaching 6th, led after 3 out, headed last, every chance flat, weakened towards finish
held up towards rear, weakened 4 out
chased leaders, went 2nd at 7th, hung left and led last, stayed on well
in rear, pushed along and weakened from 4 out
close up, led approaching 6th, headed after 3 out, not much room approaching last, soon weakened
led, pushed along and headed approaching 6th, weakened from 4 out
GRAND THEATRE was a convincing winner on his hurdles debut at Kelso last month and is taken to win with his penalty at the expense of Calin Royal and Signalman. The selection faired well in a couple of bumper races before winning on his hurdles debut. He looks the type to progress with experience and if he can recapture his recent form he is taken to win again. Calin Royal took his time to break his maiden tag but won nicely enough in testing conditions at Hexham last time out. He had shown form in his previous races and it was only a matter of time before he got his head in front. Whether he is good enough to win with his penalty remains to be seen but he still warrants respect. Signalman was only moderate on the flat but he run well on both hurdle runs to date and won well enough at Kelso last time out. It will be a tough task for a four year old to carry a penalty against older horses but he has to warrant respect and is sure to be in the shake up once again.
Calin Royal (FR) 3-1 (10-12) Held up, brought wide from 4th, took closer order next, led 2 out, jumped left last, stayed on well, won at Hexham 2m 4f nh mdn hdl (5) hvy in Nov beating Fabalu (10-12) by 4 1/2l, 8 ran.
Grand Theatre (IRE) 6-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, tracked leaders halfway, smooth headway to lead 2 out, driven out flat, won at Kelso 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Nov beating Teenage Idol (10-12) by 6l, 10 ran.
Signalman 11-8fav (10-5) Chased leaders, not fluent 4 out, led last, driven out, won at Kelso 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Nov beating Sirkeel (10-12) by 3 1/2l, 16 ran.
Isla Pearl Fisher 25-1 (10-12) Mid-division, weakened after 3 out, 7th of 16, well behind Diamond Frontier (10-12) at Hexham 2m 4f nov hdl (4) hvy in Nov.
Moscow Catch (IRE) 10-1 (11-7) Led for 6f, prominent, led over 3f out, ridden and headed briefly over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 19, 2l behind Bensalem (11-0) at Sandown 2m nhf (4) sft in Nov.
The Hollinwell 14-1 (10-12) Held up, ridden 4th, bumped 5th, stayed on from 3 out, never trouble leaders, 6th of 16, 14l behind Norman The Great (10-12) at Leicester 2m nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Woodhill (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) In touch when fell 4 out in race won by Fabalu (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 6f nov hdl (4) sft, 10 ran.
August Rose (IRE) 8-1 (10-11) Chased leaders, lost place and dropped to rear 3rd, outpaced 3 out, weakened from next, 6th of 7, 20l behind Boris The Blade (11-12) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) hvy in Nov.
