held up, ridden 3 out, never on terms
mid-division, headway 3 out, effort next, soon ridden and kept on
held up mid-division, headway 7th, challenged when not fluent 2 out, ridden to lead last, edged left and kept on flat
mid-division, lost place 6th, soon behind, virtually pulled up
mid-division, hit 5th, chased leaders 3 out, ridden and no impression approaching next
in touch, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened
chased leaders to 6th, soon behind
behind, headway 7th, soon outpaced, weakened 2 out
tracked leaders, effort 3 out, ridden and one pace from next
held up, always behind
mid-division, ridden 2 out, kept on same pace, no impression
in touch, outpaced approaching 2 out, no extra approaching last
towards rear, ridden 3 out, headway under pressure next, kept on, never trouble leaders
led, mistake 2nd, ridden 2 out, headed last, kept on until no extra towards finish
chased leaders, effort 3 out, weakened next
tracked leader, lost place 7th, weakened 3 out
In an open race, Mr Aitch, Assumetheposition, Zonic Boom and Joan's Girl make up the shortlist with the latter getting the tentative vote. The selection could be popular after a very pleasing re-appearance on her British hurdling debut, and if showing the improvement expected, she could prove to be very hard to beat. She handled the sharp Kelso track with aplomb on that occasion, and this track should suit her down to the ground. Mr Aitch ventures into handicap company for the first time today after a fair effort last time out at Warwick, and Richard Phillips' gelding could go well today off what looks a fair enough mark, especially if ridden with a bit more patience. Zonic Boom handled the sharp track when winning last time out at Ludlow, and although he goes left-handed today he may appreciate this sharp undulating track more than most of his rivals. Apparently the horse has had niggling problems in the past, but the fair flat performer could be good enough to swoop late in the day again if completely free of those troubles. Assumetheposition won a seller in good fashion three weeks ago, however the ground could go against the grey today if the forecast rain has arrived. Overall, in a tricky opener, Nicky Richards' Joan's Girl gets the nod.
Time Marches On 6-1 (11-3) Held up, headway 3 out, kept on same pace from next, no impression, 5th of 15, 17l behind Windy Hills (11-10) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs.
Our Jasper 4-1 (10-13) Chased leaders, led 6th, blundered 3 out, soon headed and weakened, behind when fell at the last in race won by Accordello (10-9) at Wetherby 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gd, 20 ran.
Joan's Girl (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Towards rear, hit 1st, headway approaching 6th, led 3 out, soon ridden, kept on until headed flat, 2nd of 11, 3/4l behind Singhalongtasveer (11-1) at Kelso 2m 2f cnd hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd.
Fair Spin 8-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, reminders after 3rd, weakened at 2 out, soon eased, 9th of 10, well behind Radar (10-7) at Carlisle 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) hvy.
Lawgiver (IRE) 50-1 (10-2) Held up, hit 3rd, reminders after 4th, headway 6th, ridden after 3 out, stayed on, no chance with winner, 2nd of 10, 5l behind Caraman (11-5) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Oct.
Mr Aitch (IRE) 5-4fav (10-12) Chased leaders, led approaching 2 out, ridden approaching last, headed and no extra towards finish, 2nd of 17, 1 1/2l behind Noble Raider (10-12) at Warwick 2m nov hdl (4) gd.
Farne Isle 14-1 (10-13) Held up, headway approaching 7th, weakened after next, last of 11, 43l behind Singhalongtasveer (11-1) at Kelso 2m 2f cnd hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd.
Top Achiever (IRE) 66-1 (10-3) In touch to 4th, soon struggling, tailed off, 11th of 12, well behind O'Toole (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Oct.
Mighty Fine 10-1 (10-4) Led to 3rd, chased leader, lost place 6th, headway approaching 3 out, soon ridden, weakened 2 out, 4th of 9, 18l behind Stan (11-8) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (D) gd in Apr '05.
Wrenlane 11-2 (11-12) Held up in touch, ridden to improve 4 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 3rd of 10, 20l behind Oniz Tiptoes (11-2) at Fakenham 2m nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd.
Manoubi 4-1 (11-7) Mid-division, chased leaders 3 out, weakened next and pulled up in race won by Flash Cummins (11-7) at Sedgefield 2m 4f nov chs (4) gs in Oct, 13 ran.
Zonic Boom (FR) 8-1 (10-11) Mid-division, headway 7th, stayed on well to lead close home, won at Ludlow 2m 5f mdn hdl (4) gd beating The Sneakster (10-4) by a hd, 12 ran.
Wally Wonder (IRE) 20-1 (10-13) Chased leaders to 7th, behind from next, 13th of 15, well behind Windy Hills (11-10) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs.
Tickateal 8-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, effort 3 out, soon ridden, weakened flat, 4th of 11, 16l behind Lawyer Des Ormeaux (11-11) at Huntingdon 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in Oct.
Assumetheposition (FR) 6-1 (11-5) Made all, ridden after 3 out, kept on from last, won at Sedgefield 2m 4f sll hdl (5) gd beating Armentieres (10-2) by 2 1/2l, 10 ran.
Mr Ex (ARG) 16-1 (10-9) Held up and always towards rear, 7th of 13, well behind Pedros Brief (11-0) at Windsor 2m 4f nh mdn hdl (E) gs in Dec.
The Weaver (FR) 28-1 (10-2) Held up, quickly weakened at 4 out, tailed off and pulled up at the 4th in race won by Radar (10-7) at Carlisle 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) hvy, 10 ran.
