led, headed approaching 2 out, soon weakened
held up mid-division, headway after 4 out, led approaching 2 out, stayed on well flat
prominent, weakened approaching 2 out
held up mid-division, every chance approaching 2 out, no extra flat
held up, headway approaching 3 out, every chance approaching 2 out, no extra after last
held up behind, not fluent, in 6th and beaten when blundered 2 out
chased leader, ridden after 4 out, weakened approaching next
in rear, headway 4 out, kept on from 2 out
held up in touch, in 2nd when blundered 3 out, weakened after 2 out
towards rear, reminders approaching 4 out, never dangerous
OR D'OUDAIRIES, the winner of a novice hurdle at Hexham in May is selected to make a winning return to the racecourse and dispose of Royal Rationale and Ingratitude while Kingscape who would be of some interest if attracting market support. Or D'oudairies, placed in all four of his bumper outings and got off the mark on his third attempt over timber in May. He was rather keen throughout that contest and returning fresh here, his inclination to do that once again would be a concern. His effectiveness on a quick surface is a big advantage while he is also proven over further. Royal Rationale bided for a quick follow-up at Wetherby last time but found little having travelled well into the later stages of the contest. He could have been feeling the effects of his efforts the previous day while Ingratitude returns to hurdling having looked to loose confidence after a couple of mistakes on his last outing over the larger obstacles. He was set some stiff tasks in the early part of the summer, most notably when not disgraced in the Swinton at Haydock. Kingscape won a weak maiden hurdle at Stratford in March. On either side of that win he appeared as if he failed to stay distances in around 2m 4f, firstly in the Sidney Banks Novices Hurdle while also in handicap company at Aintree in April. Or D'oudairies is selected to win this handicap hurdle.
Ellerslie Tom 33-1 (11-9) Held up mid-division, ridden 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 11th of 14, well behind French Opera (11-8) at Aintree 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gs in Oct.
Cedrus Libani (IRE) 11-4 (11-6) Pressed winner to 4 out, 12 lengths down in 3rd and outpaced when fell 3 out in race won by Marodima (11-6) at Perth 2m nov chs (2) gs in Apr, 4 ran.
Kingscape (IRE) 8-1 (10-7) Mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, weakened last, 14th of 21, 19l behind Auroras Encore (10-7) at Aintree 2m 4f lst hcp hdl (1) gs in Apr.
Ingratitude (IRE) 5-2fav (11-10) In touch, lost place 5th, weakened approaching 3 out, 5th of 11, 21l behind Cheating Chance (11-2) at Stratford 2m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gf in Oct.
Royal Rationale (IRE) 8-1 (11-10) Held up in rear, headway 4 out, stayed on from last, 3rd of 13, 2l behind First Point (11-5) at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gf in Oct.
Best Prospect (IRE) 8-1 (10-8) Held up, mistake 7th, effort 4 out, weakened 2 out, 7th of 11, 33l behind Khachaturian (10-5) at Uttoxeter 2m nov hcp hdl (2) gd in Mar.
Flake 25-1 (11-3) In touch, ridden after 4 out, weakened next, 9th of 15, 22l behind De Blanc (11-3) at Perth 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Apr.
Folk Tune (IRE) 33-1 (10-0) Held up towards rear, never dangerous, tailed off, 12th of 14, well behind French Opera (11-8) at Aintree 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gs in Oct.
Or d'Oudairies (FR) 9-2 (10-7) Raced keenly in touch, headway before last, edged left and led after last, ridden and kept on well towards, won at Hexham 2m nh nov hdl (4) gf in May beating Castletown Boy (10-12) by 2l, 11 ran.
Calculaite 25-1 (11-12) Towards rear, headway after 3 out, soon ridden, kept on flat, 3rd of 15, 13l behind Nodform William (11-8) at Kelso 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Oct.
