hung left, jumped left throughout, close up, weakened 4 out
tracked leaders, ridden to lead 3 out, headed 2 out, every chance last, no extra
held up, headway approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out
tracked leaders, led 4th, headed 3 out, ridden to lead again 2 out, mistake last, fading when headed close home
mid-division, weakened 5th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
in touch when unseated rider 4 out
led, headed 4th, ridden after 4 out, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out
towards rear, not fluent 2nd, headway after 4 out, ridden 2 out, one pace
in touch, ridden to chase leaders 2 out, kept on
in touch, ridden 3 out, hard ridden from 2 out, led close home
mid-division, headway 4 out, ridden 3 out, soon held
pulled hard, always in rear
Selkirk Grace has proven himself on soft ground on the flat and is taken to oblige at just the second attempt over hurdles; Perfect Storm and Park Drive make it to the shortlist. The selection ran with plenty of promise on his hurdling debut and should have learnt from that experience. Whilst it would be nice to see the cheek-pieces on (worn successfully on the flat), he looks sure to pick up a race or two over hurdles and this may start today. Park Drive was a winner over the course and distance last time, but that was a poor seller and he needs to improve although he did win easily last time. Perfect Storm and Asbury Park both need to improve their jumping before they can be taken seriously as betting propositions, whilst Terminate is a potential improver after just one start. Fantasy Legend has place claims at least, but it is Selkirk Grace who receives the nomination.
Milton's Keen 8-1 (8-8) Led, ridden over 2f out, faded, 7th of 13, 4l behind Libre (9-4) at Chepstow 1m hcap (6) gf in Sept (Flat).
Thistle 6-1 (10-9) Mid-division, hampered 2nd, headway 3rd, weakened after 2 out, 4th of 9, 21l behind Melvino (11-0) at Hereford 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) frm in Nov.
Ardfry (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, keen hold early, stumbled before halfway, dropped to 9th over 6f out, soon weakened, 12th of 16, 40l behind Crenaun Bridge (11-6) at Bellewstown 2m 1f nhf gf in Jul '05.
Park Drive (IRE) 15-8fav (10-12) Tracked leaders, headway after 6th, led and jumped right 3 out, kept on, won at Ludlow 2m sll hdl (5) gd in Nov beating Rhetorical (10-9) by 2l, 11 ran.
Terminate (GER) 33-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, some headway 4th, weakened next, 6th of 12, 26l behind Rightway Star (10-12) at Bangor 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Perfect Storm 28-1 (10-7) Held up behind leaders, mistake 2nd, ridden 3 out, blundered next, weakening when fell 2 out in race won by Desert Quest (11-0) at Taunton 2m beg chs (4) gf in Nov, 6 ran.
Asbury Park 10-1 (11-5) In rear when fell at the 4th in race won by Chimichurri (11-5) at Towcester 2m cnd hcp chs (5) sft in Nov, 11 ran.
Lucky Shame (FR) 100-1 (10-12) Always in rear, 7th of 10, well behind Pace Shot (11-5) at Hereford 2m 1f sll hdl (5) gd in Nov.
Hoober 100-1 (11-0) Led to 1st, with winner, not fluent 3rd, weakened approaching 4th, tailed off when blundered 3 out and pulled up 3 out in race won by Inherent (10-7) at Towcester 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Mar, 16 ran.
Vibe 16-1 (11-6) Towards rear, jumped awkward and rider lost iron 1st, hit 5th, weakened 8th, last of 10, 45l behind Magot De Grugy (11-9) at Chepstow 2m nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs in Nov.
Alasil (USA) 50-1 (10-5) Behind, never dangerous, 7th of 12, 49l behind Earlsfield Raider (10-12) at Leicester 2m sll hdl (5) gf.
Fantasy Legend (IRE) 9-2 (10-9) In touch, left in lead approaching 5th, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, one pace, 5th of 12, 9l behind Soviet Sceptre (10-4) at Ludlow 2m cnd sll hdl (5) gd in Nov.
Goodnight Dick (IRE) 12-1 (11-7) Mid-division, ridden before 2 out, soon beaten, 10th of 17, 24l behind Breaking Shadow (11-5) at Catterick 2m sll hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd.
Huxley (IRE) 3-1fav (11-12) Raced keenly in rear, never dangerous, 9th of 13, 20l behind Casterflo (10-10) at Hexham 2m amt nov hcp hdl (F) gf in May '05.
Selkirk Grace 9-4 (11-9) Tracked leaders, disputed 2nd from 3rd, hit 3 out, soon ridden and one pace, 3rd of 7, 6l behind Sir Haydn (11-9) at Huntingdon 2m mdn hdl (4) gf in Nov.
