led and took keen hold, 3 1/2 clear when blundered badly 2 out, soon ridden and headed, kept on towards finish
behind, kept on from 2 out, never dangerous
in touch to approaching 5th, soon weakened
chased leaders to 5th, soon behind
behind, hampered 2nd, some headway 2 out, weakened flat
mid-division, lost place after 5th, stayed on from 2 out, never dangerous
mid-division, headway 4th, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
mistake 3rd, always behind
chased leaders, went 2nd, ridden to lead approaching last, stayed on well
in touch, ridden 3 out, weakened approaching last
mid-division, weakened after 5th, behind when pulled up approaching last
towards rear, pushed along and headway when blundered 5th, one pace from 3 out
behind, badly hampered and unseated rider 2nd
chased leader to 5th, ridden 2 out, went 2nd last, one pace flat
Very little for us to go on in this large field novices' contest and the way that Crow Wood won first time out suggests he can follow up under a penalty, with Spring Breeze, Barton Flower and Oulan Bator others for consideration. The selection beat Barton Flower when the pair met at Uttoxeter earlier in the month. He was much better on the level, and took to hurdling well, dictating the pace of the race and winning with a fair bit more in hand than the five length official margin. With improvement to come he should be good enough. Barton Flower wouldn't be in the same class, though that previous run was no fluke and more prize money awaits. Spring Breeze was a fast ground Catterick winner in August and is another clearly improving, though it may be asking a bit too much of him to take this, while of the debutantes Oulan Bator has enough ability from the flat to make some impression provided the ground isn't too quick. But Crow Wood looks a decent prospect and we take him to follow up here.
Crow Wood 2-1 (10-10) Prominent and keen, led after 2nd, clear after 4th, hit 2 out, eased towards finish, won at Uttoxeter 2m nov hdl (E) gd beating Barton Flower (10-3) by 5l, 16 ran.
Acushnet 7-2fav (11-11) Held up, headway on inside over 4f out, never troubled leaders, 8th of 15, 14l behind Briscoe Place (11-4) at Worcester 2m nhf (H) gf in Sept.
Backgammon 25-1 (8-7) Always behind, 6th of 7, 29l behind Hearthstead Wings (8-13) at Hamilton 1m 5f hcp 0-95 (3) gs in Sept (Flat).
Carnt Spell 50-1 (8-12) Dwelt, ridden and headway 3f out, one pace and no further impression, 9th of 17, 11l behind Celtic Carisma (7-12) at Carlisle 1m 4f stk (7) gf in May (Flat).
Classic Lease 200-1 (9-1) Went badly right and unseated rider in race won by Pride of Nation (9-0) at Nottingham 1m mdn stk (5) gd in Sept, 14 ran (Flat).
Kaysglory 200-1 (11-0) Mid-division, lost place 3 out, soon tailed off and pulled up at the last in race won by Miami Explorer (11-1) at Hexham 2m nov hdl (C) gf in Jun, 14 ran.
Lake Imperial (IRE) 20-1 (10-10) Always in rear, never near leaders, 10th of 14, 49l behind Zalda (10-3) at Kempton 2m 4yo nov hdl (D) gd in Jan.
Mr Albanello (ARG) (9-4) Disputed lead; ridden & headed 500m out; gradually weakended, 9th of 15, 23l behind Dawn Piper (9-4) at Jebel Ali 1m 2f std in Feb (Flat).
Oulan Bator (FR) 20-1 (8-1) Mid-division, ridden and headway over 2f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong, no impression, 3rd of 13, 7l behind Dispol Foxtrot (8-6) at Hamilton 1m 1f hcp (3) gd in Sept (Flat).
Pop Play Again 50-1 (9-7) Always in rear, 9th of 10, 48l behind Shakerattleandroll (9-7) at Ripon 1m 3f mdn stk (5) gd in Sept (Flat).
Shem Dylan (NZ) 40-1 (10-11) Always behind, tailed off, 10th of 15, well behind Good Samaritan (10-11) at Bangor 2m 4f nov hdl (D) gs.
Spring Breeze 4-1 (10-11) With leader, led 4th, outpaced and headed approaching 2 out, kept on, 3rd of 12, 9l behind Snow's Ride (11-4) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nov hdl (E) gf in Sept.
Step Perfect (USA) 33-1 (8-0) Tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 8, 14l behind Oulan Bator (8-5) at Hamilton 1m 1f hcp (5) gf in Aug (Flat).
Tough Tales (IRE) 20-1 (11-4) Mid-division best, behind when pulled up after 3 out pulled up in race won by Orchestral Dream (10-10) at Listowel 2m 4f mdn hdl hvy in Apr, 17 ran.
Yorker (USA) 16-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, pushed along over 3f out, ridden and one pace final 2f, 5th of 17, 7l behind Extra Cover (8-0) at Pontefract 1m sll hcp (6) gs in Sept (Flat).
You Do The Math (IRE) 3-1fav (10-13) Mid-division, headway to chase leaders when hit 2 out, one pace after, 3rd of 14, 9l behind Arctic Lagoon (10-13) at Hexham 3m mdn hdl (F) gd in May.
Young Mr Grace (IRE) 16-1 (8-8) Held up in touch, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 10th of 13, 15l behind Blonde Streak (8-10) at Ayr 1m hcp (4) gd in Sept (Flat).
Barton Flower 9-1 (10-3) In touch, went 2nd 3 out, stayed on, no chance with winner, 2nd of 16, 5l behind Crow Wood (10-10) at Uttoxeter 2m nov hdl (E) gd.
Miss Wizz 33-1 (10-7) Soon behind, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Jake Black (10-9) at Newcastle 2m 3yo nov hdl (E) gd in Nov '03, 18 ran.
Mudawin (IRE) 12-1 (9-5) Held up, effort wide over 2f out, soon under pressure and weakened, 14th of 17, 14l behind Admiral (8-0) at Ascot 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-105 (B) gf in Jun '04 (Flat).
