held up, weakened 3f out
held up towards rear, headway over 4f out, ridden to chase leaders over 2f out, one pace
dwelt, behind, effort over 4f out, no impression
in touch, ridden over 2f out, stayed on from over 1f out, no chance with winner
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened
led, headed 6f out, kept on final 2f
held up, good headway on outer over 3f out, ridden to lead over 2f out, kept on well
chased leaders, weakened over 3f out
in touch, weakened over 1f out
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, never dangerous
always behind
held up in touch, weakened over 2f out
chased leader, weakened over 2f out
chased leaders, one pace final 2f
soon chasing leaders, led 6f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, quickly weakened.
A chance is taken with Hernando's Boy in the finale, with Bartra Rock, Spring Pursuit and the in-form Grey Plover shortlisted as dangers. The last named has scope for improvement and comes here after a comfortable win at Newcastle last month. She obviously handles soft ground but, as she faces her stiffest test to date, she may be vulnerable in this company. Spring Pursuit has been in fair form under both codes of late and should again run his race, while Bartra Rock won on soft ground when he was trained in Ireland and should not be underestimated despite appearing to have lost his way in his last two outings. He does stay well and can figure at the finish if he is on song. However, the value may be with Hernando's Boy, who loves to get his toe in and arrives here fresher than most. Keith Reveley will no doubt have a hurdling campaign mapped out for his charge but he can gain a timely confidence booster if he runs up to his best in this company.
Yenaled 18-1 (8-10) Dwelt, soon mid-division, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, ran on to lead inside final furlong, kept on, won at Catterick 1m 4f app clm (6) gd in Oct beating Barking Mad (9-3) by 3l, 14 ran.
Grey Plover (IRE) 9-2 (8-9) Held up, headway over 3f out, led well over 2f out, soon ridden, stayed on final furlong, won at Newcastle 1m 4f mdn stk (5) sft in Oct beating Samurai Way (9-0) by 1l, 8 ran.
Bartra Rock (IRE) 5-1 (9-12) Behind, steady headway 3f out, ridden and kept on same pace final 2f, 5th of 14, 5l behind Whispering Death (8-4) at Redcar 1m 6f hcp 0-65 (6) gf in Oct.
Ego Trip 12-1 (8-11) In touch, led after 2f, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, hampered entering final furlong, no extra inside, 5th of 16, 1l behind Alfred The Great (8-7) at Newcastle 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) sft in Oct.
Hernando's Boy 20-1 (8-10) Prominent, led over 4f out, headed over 1f out, no extra final furlong, 3rd of 16, 8l behind Treason Trial (8-11) at York 1m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) sft in Oct.
Spring Pursuit 11-2 (8-9) Chased leaders, led over 2f out, soon ridden, kept on well, won at Ayr 1m 7f hcp 0-70 (5) sft in Oct beating Pee Jay's Dream (8-9) by 5l, 14 ran.
Donna's Double 12-1 (8-10) Towards rear, ridden and headway well over 1f out, stayed on well under pressure inside final furlong, nearest finish, 3rd of 16, 6l behind Cleaver (9-1) at Newcastle 1m 2f hcp 0-60 (6) sft in Oct.
Mary Gray 9-2 (9-1) In touch, outpaced when hung left 3f out, soon lost place, weakened over 1f out, 13th of 14, 32l behind Whispering Death (8-4) at Redcar 1m 6f hcp 0-65 (6) gf in Oct.
