tracked leaders, not fluent 4th, led before 3 out, headed when blundered last, no extra and lost 2nd close home
mid-division, not fluent 2nd, slipped slightly on bend after 5th, headway when not fluent 3 out, ridden and hung left after 2 out, mistake last, went 2nd close home
prominent, ridden 5th, weakened approaching last
led until before 3 out, weakened after next
held up, headway after 5th, lost place when blundered 3 out, soon weakened
held up, headway after 5th, lost place before 3 out
tracked leaders, challenged after 4th, not fluent next, lost place before 3 out
prominent, ridden and lost place 5th, soon behind
held up in rear, headway after 5th, went 2nd 3 out, challenged next, led before last, driven out
A low key finale in which those at the head of the weights are expected to dominate. A Little Bit Dusty was only second in a claimer here on Sunday but the faster ground should help and he won't be far away. VOLTCHESKO started favourite on his handicap debut at Lingfield last month but was beaten four lengths by Proud Times. The winner dotted up under a penalty at Uttoxeter last week, however, so that was probably a decent effort and compensation awaits here. Captain Sharpe will handle the ground but it's a long time since he's even gone close to winning over hurdles. Rigid is preferred to stable companion Vertueux of the others.
A Little Bit Dusty 10-1 (10-12) In touch, headway to press leaders 5th, led next, ridden and headed 2 out, kept on one pace, 2nd of 8, 9l behind Outrageous Request (10-13) at Leicester 2m sll hdl (5) gs.
Voltchesko (FR) 11-4fav (11-8) Mid-division, headway 4th, went 2nd before 2 out where not fluent, soon every chance, no impression on winner final 100 yards, 2nd of 9, 4l behind Proud Times (11-3) at Lingfield 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (5) hvy in Nov.
Captain Sharpe 20-1 (10-9) Close up, blundered 4 out, weakened before last, 5th of 9, 29l behind Gigondas (10-12) at Taunton 2m 1f sell hdl (5) gd in Nov.
Vertueux (FR) 16-1 (10-13) Chased leaders, lost place after 1st, last and deliberate next, soon ridden along, headway before 8th, not fluent 11th, soon weakened, 5th of 8, well behind Mr Bachster (10-10) at Leicester 2m 4f cnd hcp chs (0-95) (5) gf in Nov.
Rigid 33-1 (11-8) Always towards rear, weakened before 4 out, 11th of 16, 40l behind Bathwick Junior (11-1) at Chepstow 2m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) hvy in Nov.
Powertakeoff (IRE) 11-1 (11-0) Mid-division, towards rear and ridden 2 out, weakened, 13th of 16, well behind Milanphardantetime (11-12) at Ballinrobe 2m hcp hdl 80-95 gd in Jul.
Drummond 100-1 (10-7) Tracked leader until before 4th, losing place when hampered next, soon behind, tailed off, 7th of 8, well behind Batu Ferringhi (10-12) at Ffos Las 2m nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Nov.
Kozmina Bay 6-1 (10-3) Always towards rear, never a factor, 11th of 12, 43l behind Some Secret (10-11) at Chepstow 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gf in Apr.
Lost In Newyork (IRE) 20-1 (10-5) Led until after 3rd, led next, headed 7th, soon lost place, 9th of 16, 40l behind Portway Flyer (11-11) at Doncaster 2m 3f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gd in Nov.
