made all, clear approaching 10th, hit next, ridden when hit last, edged right flat, driven out
chased leaders, chased winner after 6th, challenged 3 out, mistake 2 out, unable to quicken flat
chased leaders, lost place when not fluent 4th, mistake next, well behind when blundered 6th, tailed off when pulled up before last
chased leaders until ridden and weakened approaching 3 out
chased winner, 2nd until after 6th, soon weakened, tailed off
chased leaders, jumped slowly 5th and 6th, weakened approaching 3 out
towards rear, hit 2nd, no chance when blundered 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, mistake 2nd, headway 6th, went 3rd approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out
always towards rear, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
mid-division, took good hold, not fluent 1st, no chance 6th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
in rear, jumped slowly 4th, soon lost touch, tailed off
not always fluent, always behind, tailed off
CHOISIR BREEZE showed enough last time to make him the pick here; the list of dangers is headed by Casual Style and Blazing Buck. The selection ran his best race yet at Uttoxeter last week when he finished a close second behind Zepnove. That was his first run for Phillip Hobbs so there should be more to come and he looks to have a big chance. Casual Style is making her debut over hurdles after showing a fair level of form in three runs on the flat last year. She is returning from a lengthy break here but she is sure to have been well schooled for this by her trainer David Pipe and she is one to note in the market. Blazing Buck was a winner on the flat at Warwick last year and he is having only his second run over hurdles today. He went close on his hurdling debut at Chepstow earlier in the month when he was hampered close home, and if he can build on that then he has to enter calculations. Dark Oasis won well over this course and distance last week but he has top weight here and that will make life tough. Mr Deal finished well behind Dark Oasis last time but he is much better off at the weights today. There are plenty in with chances here but the vote goes to Choisir Breeze.
Dark Oasis 11-2 (10-5) Made virtually all, not fluent 4th, clear before next until approaching 3 out, blundered last, driven clear again flat, won at Ludlow 2m 3yo mdn hdl (4) gf beating Nicky Nutjob (10-12) by 9l, 12 ran.
Bedarra Boy 15-2 (10-9) Took keen hold, soon tracking leaders, saddle slipped and pulled up before 4th, in a race won by Dark Oasis (10-5) at Ludlow 2m 3yo mdn hdl (4) gf, 12 ran.
Blazing Buck 12-1 (10-9) Held up in touch, headway approaching 4 out, every chance 2 out, 3rd when slightly hampered last, kept on under pressure to take 2nd near finish, 2nd of 12, 1 3/4l behind Olofi (10-12) at Chepstow 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gd.
Choisir Breeze (IRE) 11-2 (10-12) Mid-division, headway approaching 7th, chased winner 3 out, soon ridden, stayed on flat, 2nd of 10, 1l behind Zepnove (10-7) at Uttoxeter 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gd.
Heaven Or Hell (IRE) 33-1 (10-9) In rear, not fluent 1st, driven 4th, jumped slowly 6th, always behind, 8th of 12, well behind Dark Oasis (10-5) at Ludlow 2m 3yo mdn hdl (4) gf.
Heredias (GER) Lomitas gelding out of Happy Gini.
Mac Wolf 25-1 (9-0) Mid-division, headway to track leader over 5f out, until over 2f out, weakened soon after, 9th of 14, 11l behind Rowan Tiger (9-2) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Sep (flat).
Mr Deal 33-1 (10-12) In rear, bad mistake 3rd, headway after 6th, went 3rd 3 out, no impression when hit last, 3rd of 12, 16l behind Dark Oasis (10-5) at Ludlow 2m 3yo mdn hdl (4) gf.
Wild Lyph 100-1 (9-3) Took keen hold, chased leaders, ridden and weakened quickly over 3f out, virtually pulled up final furlong, last of 7, well behind Alsahil (9-3) at Brighton 1m 3yo mdn (5) gd in Apr (flat).
Casual Style 9-4fav (9-1) Held up in touch, ridden 2f out, effort over 1f out, not reached leaders and one pace final furlong, 4th of 9, 5l behind Efficiency (9-5) at Kempton 7f 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec (flat).
Halcyon Princess (IRE) 33-1 (9-0) Led, headed 3f out, weakened over 2f out, last of 12, well behind Giant Sequoia (9-7) at Kempton 1m 3f stks 0-55 (6) pol in Sep (flat).
Mrs Slocombe (IRE) 33-1 (8-3) Mid-division, pushed along halfway, weakened over 3f out, tailed off, last of 14, 34l behind Ailsa Craig (9-0) at Bath 1m fll hcp (5) gd in Aug (flat).
Ravine Rose 12-1 (10-5) Mistake 3rd, always behind, went poor 3rd after 3 out, 3rd of 9, 33l behind Riptide (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f 3yo mdn hdl (5) gf.
