held up in rear, headway approaching 2 out, chased winner after last, kept on, no impression
tracked leaders, effort approaching 3 out, ridden approaching next, soon outpaced
held up and keen, weakened after 3 out, eased from last
led, ridden approaching 2 out, headed approaching last, weakened 1f out
tracked leader, led approaching last, shaken up, stayed on well
DOESLESSTHANME, a winner of both his starts in bumpers and on his hurdling debut at Kelso last month, has solid claims for the in-form Howard Johnson stable, and is taken to continue winning ways here, getting the vote ahead of Alfie Flits and Font. The last mentioned was capable on the flat and has made an encouraging start to his new career since joining Paul Nicholls with wins at Wincanton and Cheltenham but he disappointed at Ascot earlier this month and may now be best watched. Richard Fahey's Bolodenka only just did enough when successful at Newcastle last week and this looks tougher, while Sea Storm has more to do than when winning at Wetherby last time. Alan Swinbank's Alfie Flits was high class in bumpers and showed decent form on the level subsequently but he has yet to translate that form over timber and a safer option looks to be Doeslessthanme.
Font 5-2fav (10-11) Mid-division, blundered badly 5th, weakened after 3 out, 10th of 15, 29l behind Sentry Duty (11-0) at Ascot 2m hcp hdl (2) gd.
Sea Storm (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway 3 out, driven to lead last, kept on well flat, won at Wetherby 2m nov hdl (3) gf beating Billie Magern (11-0) by 4l, 11 ran.
Bolodenka (IRE) 9-4fav (10-12) Held up mid-division, headway approaching 4 out, led approaching last, just held on, won at Newcastle 2m nov hdl (4) gs beating Skylancer (10-12) by a shd, 16 ran.
Doeslessthanme (IRE) 11-8fav (11-0) Prominent, every chance 3 out, led approaching last, pushed out, won at Kelso 2m nh mdn hdl (5) gs in Oct beating Son of Flicka (10-9) by 4l, 15 ran.
Alfie Flits 11-4 (11-2) Chased leaders, hit 2 out, soon every chance, beaten last, weakened flat, 4th of 13, 8l behind Dee Ee Williams (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m mdn hdl (3) gd in Oct.
