in touch, headway to chase leading pair 5th, weakened 3 out, tailed off soon after, pulled up before 2 out
left in lead 2nd, jumped slowly 4th, headed 6th, chased leader until weakened soon after 3 out, well behind when mistake next
took keen hold, in touch, chased easy winner soon after 3 out, no impression
held up, struggling when blundered 2 out
chased leaders, led 6th, clear after 3 out, easily
chased leaders, left 2nd at 2nd, blundered and fell 5th
mistake 3rd, always behind, went poor 3rd after 3 out
jumped poorly in rear, blundered 1st, wandered badly before 3rd, lost touch 5th, tailed off when pulled up approaching 2 out
Alan King's Tombov showed ability from limited opportunities on the flat but was disappointing on his hurdling debut at Market Rasen last month and is hard to back with any confidence following that effort so a safer option looks to be HECTOR'S HOUSE, who gets the vote over Riptide. Don McCain's gelding benefitted from his first start over hurdles when running much better at Bangor last time and he has to be respected at a track where the trainer has a good record. Ravine Rose is more experienced than most of these but is only moderate, while Beaubrav showed better form on the level of late and could be of interest on her first start over hurdles. Hugh Collingridge's Strong Storm has shown promise in his two starts over hurdles and has to be considered but it may be worth taking a chance with the hurdling newcomer Hector's House. The son of Tobougg showed promise on the level for Michael Dods and now makes his first start for Evan Williams who is more than capable of getting one ready first time up.
Beaubrav 10-1 (9-5) Tracked winner, effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 12, 14l behind Sounds Of Jupiter (9-11) at Folkestone 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-65 (6) gf in Aug (flat).
Errol Flynn (IRE) 50-1 (10-9) In rear, hampered 1st, reminders after 3rd, well behind when jumped very slowly and mistake 6th, soon pulled up, in a race won by Zepnove (10-0) at Fontwell 2m 2f 3yo mdn hdl (4) gf in Sep, 10 ran.
Hector's House 50-1 (8-7) Held up in touch, lost place from over 3f out, last of 8, 26l behind Royal Trooper (8-8) at Thirsk 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Jul (flat).
Mr Deal 40-1 (8-3) Led, clear halfway, ridden and headed 3f out, weakened well over 1f out, soon eased, last of 12, 41l behind Shesha Bear (9-10) at Lingfield 1m 3f hcp 0-70 (5) gs in Aug (flat).
Riptide 25-1 (10-7) Chased leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, one pace from last, 4th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Tillietudlem (10-12) at Bangor 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (4) gd in Sep.
Strong Storm (USA) 33-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, ridden and weakened 3 out, 7th of 15, 28l behind Barizan (11-6) at Market Rasen 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (2) gd in Sep.
Tombov (FR) 16-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, tailed off 3 out, last of 15, well behind Barizan (11-6) at Market Rasen 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (2) gd in Sep.
Ravine Rose 100-1 (10-5) Held up in rear, hampered 2nd, headway 3 out, soon every chance, hanging left bend before 2 out, soon beaten, 4th of 10, 17l behind Zepnove (10-0) at Fontwell 2m 2f 3yo mdn hdl (4) gf in Sep.
Southoffrance (IRE) 9-2 (8-7) In touch, ridden 4f out, kept on until weakened over 1f out, 6th of 10, 7l behind Nun Today (8-9) at Wolverhampton 7f 2yo fll stks (6) pol in Jul '08 (flat).
