mid-division, headway approaching 5th, weakened soon after
towards rear, some progress when mistake 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off
mid-division, headway after 4th, ridden and weakened 3 out
mid-division, beaten approaching 3 out
tracked leaders, weakened approaching 4 out
towards rear, headway and mistake 4 out, ridden to chase clear leading trio, soon weakened
towards rear, headway approaching 4 out, kept on
tracked leaders, headway approaching 5th, ridden 2 out, led last, kept on
led, ridden 3 out, headed last, one pace flat
in touch, ridden 4 out, weakened next
An open contest can fall to Laustra Bad at the main expense of Climate Change. The selection has shown some fair form in France when he'd wanted to, and made a very pleasing British hurdles debut last month when just pipped on the line. A reproduction of that effort should see him go close here on ground that he certainly handles. Marodima is a course and distance winner so he must be respected, however since that win he has struggled to improve and looks one to take on for win purposes. Climate Change won well at Newbury in December, however he struggled next time up under a penalty and will struggle to concede 10lbs to the selection today. At a price Raydan has place claims however he may be seen to better effect on decent ground. Tayman makes his hurdling debut today and this fair flat performer could go well, however we will return to David Pipe's Laustra Bad to land the spoils.
Climate Change (USA) 11-8 (11-9) Held up, mistake 3 out, chased leaders next, soon weakened, 4th of 11, 17l behind Grecian Groom (11-5) at Lingfield 2m nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
Better Together 33-1 (11-4) In rear until moderate headway final 2f, 10th of 22, 45l behind Crocodiles Rock (11-4) at Newbury 2m nhf (4) sft in Dec.
Great Man (FR) 9-2 (10-8) Held up, stayed on to take 3rd 2 out, one pace when fell at the last in race won by Valley Ride (11-8) at Plumpton 2m nov hdl (D) gd in Mar '05, 7 ran.
Lindop 40-1 (11-0) Mid-division, stayed from 2 out, never troubled leaders, 5th of 18, more than 8l behind Fredensborg (11-0) at Wincanton 2m mdn hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Prime Powered (IRE) 10-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, mistake 2nd, headway from 6th, driven and weakened after 3 out, 9th of 16, 27l behind Dusky Lord (11-2) at Plumpton 2m mdn hdl (F) gd in Oct '05.
Raydan (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) Held up, headway 4th, chased leaders 2 out, kept on same pace, 4th of 17, 13l behind Monfils Monfils (11-4) at Huntingdon 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
River Gypsy 16-1 (8-6) Chased leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 11th of 14, 22l behind Josh You Are (8-8) at Kempton 2m hcp 0-50 (6) pol in Jan (Flat).
Saxon Leader (IRE) 6-1 (11-2) In touch until weakened 5f out, 9th of 10, well behind Seismic Shift (11-2) at Ludlow 2m mdn nhf (5) gd in Nov.
Shanehill (IRE) 125-1 (11-5) In touch until 5th, behind when pulled up 3 out in race won by Predateur (10-7) at Taunton 2m 1f nov hdl (2) sft in Jan, 10 ran.
Stars In His Eyes 100-1 (11-4) Always behind, 10th of 14, well behind Chery D'or (11-4) at Wincanton 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Tayman (IRE) 7-2 (9-9) In touch, ridden to chase winner 2f out, not much room inside final furlong, eased close home, 5th of 12, 1l behind Inch Lodge (9-11) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Sept (Flat).
Venice Road (IRE) 50-1 (11-6) Held up, behind, struggling from 5th, 6th of 11, 36l behind Classic Fiddle (10-13) at Hereford 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
Amir El Jabal (FR) 10-1 (11-0) Held up, headway and mistake approaching 3 out, ridden and soon weakened, 8th of 17, 33l behind Monfils Monfils (11-4) at Huntingdon 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Laustra Bad (FR) 33-1 (11-5) In touch, led before 3 out, headed 2 out, led again flat, headed close home, 2nd of 14, hd behind Altilhar (11-5) at Ludlow 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Marodima (FR) 13-8fav (10-13) Held up and keen, good headway to lead 3rd, soon clear, ridden approaching 2 out, headed approaching last, soon weakened, 4th of 10, 26l behind Mister Potter (11-6) at Haydock 2m 4f nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
Sea You Madame 100-1 (10-2) Mid-division, ridden, weakened 3 out, 8th of 12, 45l behind Mount Sandel (10-12) at Hereford 2m 3f nov hdl (4) hvy in Nov.
