tracked leaders, lost place and dropped towards rear 4th, chased leaders under pressure before 2 out, went moderate 3rd before last, no chance with front pair
led, joined 2 out, ridden and headed between last 2, soon weakened, tailed off
tracked leaders on outside, went 2nd 3 out, challenged next, led between last 2, headed before last, kept on same pace, no impression with winner in clear 2nd flat
held up in touch on outside, tracked leading pair before 2 out, went 2nd between last 2, led before last, driven clear flat
tracked leader, not fluent and lost place 3 out, weakened after next, tailed off
tracked leaders, reminders and lost place after 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off
held up behind in touch, reminder after 3 out, outpaced before next, never on terms, soon weakened, tailed off
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Martin Keighley enjoyed success at the Cheltenham Open meeting over the weekend with Creepy and is taken to land another novice hurdle success here with JOHNNY OG. A good second last time to the well regarded Jean De Florette at Chepstow on heavy ground, he had previously been thought good enough to contest the Persian War Hurdle at the same track. This represents his easiest task to date and he should be more than good enough to get off the mark over timber. Damascus Steel has a course and distance victory to his name from last spring and probably needed his first run back behind The Liquidator at Carlisle. He has claims but is asked to concede 7lb to the selection. Our Boy Ben and You'resomedreamer are probably the likeliest to improve on achievements to date for the Jefferson and Russell teams respectively.
Allez Cool (IRE) 40-1 (10-5) Chasing leaders when blundered and unseated rider 2nd, in a race won by Ivan Boru (11-5) at Sedgefield 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gs, 8 ran.
Johnny Og 11-4fav (11-0) Led to 3rd, led again 4 out, ridden and headed last, kept on and well held by winner, 2nd of 11, 3l behind Jean De Florette (11-0) at Chepstow 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) hvy.
Lord Brendy 33-1 (10-12) Held up in touch and keen, weakened from 4 out, 7th of 10, well behind Rally (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gs.
Our Boy Ben 10-1 (11-2) Held up mid-division, headway to chase leaders before 4f out, weakened before final furlong, 5th of 11, 19l behind Classic Move (11-2) at Sedgefield 2m 1f mdn NH flat (6) gs in Oct.
Westend Theatre (IRE) 50-1 (10-7) Always in rear, 7th of 8, 36l behind Ocean Waves (11-0) at Carlisle 2m 1f NH flat (6) gd in Oct.
You'resomedreamer (IRE) 40-1 (10-5) Held up towards rear, headway 5th, joined winner 3 out, weakened before last, 7th of 9, 47l behind Kilbree Chief (10-5) at Hexham 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) sft.
Beyondtemptation 150-1 (10-2) In rear, pushed along after 3rd, tailed off before 3 out, last of 5, well behind Smart Ruler (11-5) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gf in Aug.
Damascus Steel (IRE) 20-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, weakened 2 out, 6th of 12, 24l behind The Liquidator (10-12) at Carlisle 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Oct.
Another Mattie (IRE) 10-3 (11-0) Towards rear, reminder after 5 out, pushed along after 3 out, soon weakened and pulled up, in a race won by Vinny Gambini (11-0) at Kelso 2m NH mdn hdl (5) gs in Oct, 10 ran.
