always prominent, led 3 out, ridden out
always in rear, pulled up after 7th
held up, blundered 2nd, pulled up 8th
mid-division, headway 5th, chased leader and not fluent 7th, weakened 4 out, behind and pulled up 2 out
mid-division, headway 5th, not fluent 8th, weakened before 3 out
held up, headway 8th, weakened before 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
in rear, ridden 7th, soon struggling, behind and pulled up 2 out
close up, hit 4th, ridden after 7th, pulled up before 2 out
held up mid-division, ridden 5 out, blundered 3 out, never on terms
in rear, ridden 7th, behind when pulled up next
led 2nd, not fluent 4th, hit 7th and 9th, ridden and headed 3 out, one pace
mid-division, mistake 5th, weakened next, pulled up after 7th
led, headed 2nd, remained prominent, weakened and pulled up before 3 out
Harrycone Lewis, Lord Atterbury and It Plays Itself are three against the field in a tough race to call for punters and the vote is given to Harrycone Lewis. The selection was a fair second behind Melford over fences last time out. That form looks rock solid in the context of this race and if he can reproduce that effort back over hurdles he will be hard to beat. Lord Atterbury was a fair sort over fences at his best and although slightly disappointing last season if he is fit after a 313 day absence he will not be far away. It Plays Itself is another that could go well as he is a Naheez gelding, half-brother to winning hurdler Tony The Piler and winning bumper/hurdler Cross The Highman and should be noted in the market. Of the remainder Geordie Peacock was a fair sixth behind Yaboya in a better race last time and is another with place claims but in a race where the market will be very informitive for the winner we return to Harrycone Lewis.
Harrycone Lewis 11-4 (11-7) Tracked leaders, hit 2 out, soon under pressure, kept on same pace, 2nd of 7, 3 1/2l behind Melford (10-13) at Fakenham 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Jan.
Back With A Bang (IRE) 10-1 (10-13) Chased leaders, driven halfway, weakened 6f out, tailed off, 14th of 15, well behind Baron Romeo (10-11) at Uttoxeter 2m nhf (H) hvy in Dec.
Ballyowen (IRE) 80-1 (10-9) Held up mid-division, weakened 4 out and pulled up 3 out in race won by Nine De Sivola (10-11) at Wetherby 2m 7f nov hdl (D) hvy in Dec, 11 ran.
Buffers Lane (IRE) 9-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened after 7th, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Teeton Babysham (11-6) at Chepstow 3m mdn hdl (5) sft in Jan, 15 ran.
Geordie Peacock (IRE) 10-1 (11-4) Mid-division, headway after 6th, every chance approaching 3 out, soon beaten, 6th of 13, 24l behind Yaboya (11-4) at Leicester 2m 4f nh nov hdl (3) gd.
It Plays Itself (IRE) Naheez gelding, half-brother to winning hurdler Tony The Piler and winning bumper/hurdler Cross The Highman.
Katy's Classic (IRE) 100-1 (11-4) Chased leader to 6th, weakened 3 out, 8th of 16, well behind Molostiep (11-4) at Towcester 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gs.
Lord Atterbury (IRE) 25-1 (10-6) Close up when fell in race won by Hedgehunter (11-1) at Aintree 4m 4f hcp chs Grd 3 (A) gs in Apr, 40 ran.
Love Of Classics 3-1 (11-6) Held up, headway 3rd, ridden along 7th, soon weakened and eased, 6th of 15, well behind Ballyshan (11-6) at Chepstow 3m mdn hdl (5) sft in Jan.
Nigwell Forbees (IRE) 100-1 (11-5) Towards rear, never dangerous, 12th of 14, well behind Money Trix (11-5) at Kelso 2m 2f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Original Thought (IRE) 9-2 (11-0) Led, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, kept on same pace from 2 out, 4th of 14, 11l behind Kaldouas (11-0) at Windsor 2m 4f nh mdn hdl (E) gs in Dec.
Pine Marten 50-1 (11-6) Always behind, tailed off when pulled up 5 out in race won by Nero West (10-13) at Wincanton 2m 6f mdn hdl (4) sft in Jan, 15 ran.
Stark Raven 33-1 (10-10) Held up, always in rear, tailed off, 6th of 13, well behind Ungaro (10-10) at Huntingdon 2m 5f nh nov hdl (D) gd in Nov.
