behind, reminders 3rd, never a factor
always behind
held up, never dangerous
held up, headway 5th, every chance 2 out, kept on same pace
tracked leaders, weakened before 4 out
held up, headway before 4 out, soon chasing leaders, stayed on same pace
tracked leaders, every chance approaching 3 out, weakened before last
in touch, weakened after 5th
tracked leaders, lost place approaching 4 out
behind, steady headway from 5th, chased leaders 3 out, soon one pace
in touch, chased leaders 2 out, soon ridden and weakened
led, headed approaching 3 out, gradually weakened
held up, headway and slow 5th, outpaced next, headway 3 out, weakened next
held up, never dangerous
held up, headway approaching 5th, led before 3 out, headed approaching next, kept on same pace
held up, blundered and unseated rider 6th
in touch, chased leaders 3 out, led 2 out, ran on well
chased leaders, ridden before 3 out, soon weakened
Capitana, Gustavo and Blue Mariner are the three to concentrate on in this handicap hurdle and the vote is given to Capitana. The selection won really well over this course and distance when beating Don And Gerry and the indications are that she is still ahead of the handicapper. She will have no ground worries here and she looks the one to beat. Gustavo rates the main danger as he won at Bangor last time when beating Caesarean Hunter. His stable is in top form so he has to be respected, but his overall form is nothing special and we are happy to take him on. Blue Mariner won well last time and remains unexposed, but more is required to win this and he will need to improve significantly to get competitive. Of the rest, Silver City would have claims on his best form but he was very disappointing at Warwick last time. We are therefore happy to return to Capitana who looks the one to beat.
Forest Chief (IRE) 11-4 (11-0) Jumped right from halfway, led and soon clear, headed 3 out, weakened and jumped badly right last 2, last of 6, 42l behind Nawamees (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 2f beg chs (E) gf in Aug.
Late Claim (USA) 12-1 (10-11) Blundered first, held up, ridden and weakened 8th, no chance when mistake 4 out, tailed off, 6th of 7, well behind Lubinas (10-7) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gd in May '04.
Front Rank (IRE) 50-1 (10-7) Mid-division, ridden and struggling from 3 out, never on terms, 5th of 12, 12l behind Hernando's Boy (11-1) at Huntingdon 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (D) gd.
Capitana (GER) 3-1 (11-2) In touch, keen, led approaching 3 out, quickened last, readily, won at Ludlow 2m mrs hcp hdl (E) gs beating Don And Gerry (11-9) by 4l, 9 ran.
Shady Anne 20-1 (11-12) Led, headed 5th, stayed prominent, ridden and weakened 2 out, 5th of 9, 12l behind Capitana (11-2) at Ludlow 2m mrs hcp hdl (E) gs.
Blue Mariner 5-2 (10-12) Held up rear, smooth headway 5th, clear with leader from 2 out, led last, comfortably, won at Hereford 2m 1f sll hdl (G) gd in Nov beating Canadian Storm (10-12) by 5l, 13 ran.
Silver City 10-3 (11-9) Held up, headway 6th, soon ridden, weakened approaching 2 out, 9th of 15, 17l behind Petwick (11-8) at Warwick 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-100 (F) gd in Nov.
Cashel Dancer 10-1 (10-8) Behind, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Phar Out Phavorite (11-10) at Ludlow 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gf in Oct, 11 ran.
Magical Liaison (IRE) 33-1 (11-2) Prominent, led briefly approaching 4th, soon ridden and weakened 3 out, 10th of 12, 29l behind Nagano (10-13) at Warwick 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (E) sft.
Sgt Pepper (IRE) 7-1 (10-12) Held up, headway 4 out, ridden to chase leaders after next, kept on same pace, 5th of 13, 9l behind Predator (10-12) at Doncaster 2m 3f nov hdl (E) gd.
Adecco (IRE) 7-1 (10-0) Mid-division, ridden 3 out, kept on from 2 out, 3rd of 10, 15l behind Desert Quest (11-6) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gd.
Jayed (IRE) 7-1 (10-2) Led and soon clear, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, weakened before last, 8th of 13, 31l behind Wenger (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-110 (E) sft.
My Sharp Grey 7-1 (11-2) Held up, headway 6th, weakened 2 out, 7th of 9, 17l behind Capitana (11-2) at Ludlow 2m mrs hcp hdl (E) gs.
Barcelona 66-1 (10-4) Tracked leaders, lost place 3rd, in rear when mistake 3 out, last of 12, well behind Nagano (10-13) at Warwick 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (E) sft.
Theatre Tinka (IRE) 33-1 (10-4) Towards rear, some headway 6th, never nearer, 6th of 15, 17l behind Magical Legend (10-0) at Stratford 2m mdn hdl (D) gd in Oct.
A Monk Swimming (IRE) 25-1 (10-9) In touch, hit 4th, ridden after 7th, soon weakened, 10th of 13, well behind Sunnyland (11-9) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (F) gs in Oct.
Gustavo 5-1 (10-7) Chased leaders, led after 3 out, ridden out, won at Bangor 2m 1f cnd hcp hdl 0-100 (F) hvy beating Caesarean Hunter (11-8) by 1l, 11 ran.
Margarets Wish 8-1 (10-9) Held up rear, headway 6th, ridden and weakened 2 out, 6th of 9, 15l behind Capitana (11-2) at Ludlow 2m mrs hcp hdl (E) gs.
