in touch until lost place after 5th, soon behind
held up mid-division, ridden and headway 3 out, one pace from next
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out
held up, headway 7th, led 2 out, driven out
led, headed after 3 out, weakened last
held up, weakened 3 out
in touch, mistake 7th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
held up in rear, ridden and headway approaching 2 out, one pace from last
chased leader, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened
held up mid-division, weakened approaching 2 out
held up, headway approaching 3 out, challenged next, one pace from last
tracked leaders, led after 3 out, ridden and headed 2 out, weakened after last
tracked leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, one pace from last
always towards rear
A wide open handicap hurdle here and many would have chances on there best form but the principals look to be Not Left Yet ,Nathos and Mister Arjay and the confident vote is given to Not Left Yet. The selection won well at Cheltenham last time out when beating Abragante and although he has a penalty for that win he still looks ahead of the handicapper and under conditions that suit he is taken to win again. Nathos rates the main danger as he was well backed when beating Wild Is The Wind. However this looks much more competitive and he may struggle under his penalty. Mister Arjay is another that could go well as he won well last time when beating Haute De Gamme but he is another that now looks weighted to his best. Bushido has been in good form over fences of late and returns to hurdling on a fair mark and he should be noted in the market with his stable continuing in good form. Of the remainder Cottam Grange goes well at the track and could go well at a price but for the winner we return to the progressive Not Left Yet.
Freetown (IRE) 9-2 (11-12) Held up in rear, pushed along 18th, struggling when blundered badly 20th, soon lost touch, behind when fell at the last in race won by Malek (11-5) at Kelso 4m hcp chs 0-135 (C) sft in Mar, 10 ran.
Campaign Trail (IRE) 11-4 (11-8) Held up, behind from 14th, tailed off, 4th of 5, well behind Whitford Don (11-8) at Warwick 3m 2f nov chs (B) sft in Feb.
Bushido (IRE) 8-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, went 2nd 4 out, ridden next, challenged 2 out, led last, all out, won at Market Rasen 3m 1f hcp chs 0-130 (C) gd in Oct beating Lou Du Moulin Mas (11-7) by 1l, 8 ran.
Nathos (GER) 11-4 (11-6) Tracked leaders, led 7th, driven clear 2 out, ridden and stayed on well flat, eased near finish, won at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-125 (D) hvy beating Wild Is The Wind (11-5) by 6l, 7 ran.
Mister Arjay (USA) 8-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, headway 3 out, led next, ridden and ran on well flat, won at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (D) sft in Oct beating Haut de Gamme (11-6) by 2l, 11 ran.
Vicars Destiny 12-1 (11-2) Mid-division, hampered 4 out, ridden next, soon weakened, 7th of 11, 29l behind Mister Arjay (11-2) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (D) sft in Oct.
Vicario 10-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, led approaching 3 out, pushed clear flat, won at Haydock 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (E) sft beating Marsh Run (11-7) by 9l, 7 ran.
Ball O Malt (IRE) 14-1 (11-3) Held up in rear, no chance when blundered 3 out, 6th of 10, well behind Whispered Secret (11-12) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (C) gd in Oct.
Jack Martin (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, pushed along 6th, soon ridden and weakened, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Ramblees Holly (9-12) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (D) gs in Apr, 9 ran.
Cottam Grange 11-1 (11-0) Held up, headway 3 out, ridden to chase leaders next, kept on same pace, no impression, 3rd of 7, 11l behind Nathos (11-6) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-125 (D) hvy.
Not Left Yet (IRE) 15-8fav (11-10) Raced wide, held up, headway to track leaders 4th, led going well 2 out, clear approaching last, pushed out flat, won at Cheltenham 2m nov hcp hdl 0-110 (D) gs beating Green Iceni (11-1) by 3 1/2l, 19 ran.
Just Beth 12-1 (10-13) Chased leaders, hit 4 out, weakened next, 4th of 11, 34l behind By Degree (10-13) at Chepstow 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (D) hvy.
Saltango (GER) 4-7fav (11-0) Held up, took closer order after 6th, led 3 out, ridden after 2 out, headed last, kept on, no extra flat, 2nd of 7, 3/4l behind Soleil Fix (10-9) at Fontwell 2m 4f nov hdl (E) sft.
Heir To Be 4-1 (10-11) Held up, headway approaching 9th, weakened 3 out, 4th of 8, 28l behind Tomina (11-12) at Huntingdon 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-125 (D) gd.
Iloveturtle (IRE) 300-1 (11-0) Always in the rear, 17th of 18, well behind Black Jack Ketchum (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov hdl (B) gs.
