in touch, outpaced after 4 out, soon ridden and beaten
held up towards rear, headway on outside 3 out, ridden to chase leaders next, kept on same pace
mid-division on inside, headway approaching 3 out, ridden and kept on same pace from next
led, headed 3 out, soon ridden, weakened after next
always prominent, effort 3 out, ridden to chase winner next, kept on same pace
tracked leaders, led going well 3 out, hit next, soon clear, still on well (hand timed)
in touch, outpaced 3 out, soon ridden, stayed on well flat, no impression
held up, headway 4 out, chased leaders next, soon ridden and no impression
never better than mid-division
always towards rear
mid-division, outpaced 4 out, never on terms
behind when hit 4th, never dangerous
always behind
mid-division, hit 4 out, headway next, ridden and stayed on to go 2nd last, no impression on winner
chased leaders to 5th, soon lost place
behind until stayed on for 3 out, never nearer
always towards rear
Acambo, Nippy Des Mottes and Motive are three against the field in this ultra-competitive handicap hurdle and the vote is given to Acambo. The selection was a good third behind Straw Bear off this mark last time when looking as if in need of the run. He is sure to strip fitter here and under conditions that suit he is taken to win before going on to better things. Nippy Des Mottes rates the main danger as he has been in the form of his life of late and he won well last time out when beating Selection, but this is a stronger affair and he looks vulnerable off his revised mark. Motive won well last time when beating Andre Chenier but that rival is weighted to gain his revenge on these revised terms and he looks opposable on that basis. Saif Sareea beat Motive last time and is another with place claims but his best form is on a softer surface. Liberty Seeker looks to be on a handy mark but may just need the run after a 279 day absence. Of the remainder, High Day is from a yard in form and is another that could go well at a price but for the winner we return to Acambo who looks well-in and is given the confident vote to score.
Nippy Des Mottes (FR) 2-1fav (11-7) Prominent, headway and challenged on bit approaching 2 out, led last, pushed clear flat, comfortably, won at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Jan beating Silencio (11-5) by 2 1/2l, 11 ran.
Acambo (GER) 8-15fav (11-13) Mid-division, headway 4th, led and hit 3 out, headed 2 out, one pace, 3rd of 22, 8l behind Straw Bear (11-5) at Leicester 2m nov hdl (3) sft in Jan.
Liberty Seeker (FR) 20-1 (10-4) Held up mid-division, mistake 4th, headway 5th, weakened after 4 out, 9th of 13, 23l behind Genghis (10-11) at Ayr 2m hcp hdl (A) gd in Apr.
Calatagan (IRE) 6-1 (10-11) Chased leaders, left 2nd 4 out, stayed on to lead close home, won at Leicester 2m beg chs (4) gd in Jan beating Cossack Dancer (11-2) by a hd, 10 ran.
Rising Generation (FR) 8-1 (11-12) Close up, led after 3rd, headed 3 out, one pace next, 4th of 16, 12l behind Culcabock (9-10) at Kelso 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Jan.
Crow Wood 7-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 3 out to last, weakened flat, 4th of 10, 6l behind Boychuk (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m nov hdl Grd 2 (A) gs in Nov.
High Day 5-2 (11-12) In touch, headway 3 out, ridden next, stayed on same pace approaching last, 5th of 14, 15l behind Percussionist (11-5) at Wetherby 2m nov hdl (E) sft in Dec.
Motive (FR) 2-1fav (11-12) Held up, headway 3 out, chased leader approaching next, ridden approaching last, hung left flat, led last 100 yards, driven out, won at Catterick 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Jan beating Andre Chenier (11-1) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
Gone Too Far 28-1 (10-11) Towards rear, ridden 4 out, behind when fell at the last in race won by Culcabock (9-10) at Kelso 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Jan, 16 ran.
Andre Chenier (IRE) 14-1 (9-11) Behind, outpaced 4 out, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by dhtrs Buck Whaley (10-6) & Rayshan (10-7) at Carlisle 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) hvy in Jan, 12 ran.
Credit (IRE) 33-1 (11-1) Mid-division, pushed along 4 out, weakened 3 out, 13th of 16, 43l behind Culcabock (9-10) at Kelso 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Jan.
Sovereign State (IRE) 7-1 (11-7) Keen, chased leaders, ridden and weakened 4 out, 7th of 9, 27l behind Brooklyn Brownie (10-8) at Fakenham 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gd in Dec.
Millagros (IRE) 5-1 (11-0) Towards rear, headway to track leaders approaching 3 out, one pace flat, 4th of 8, 3 1/2l behind Saif Sareea (10-3) at Musselburgh 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (D) gf in Dec.
Saif Sareea 7-2 (10-3) Towards rear, headway approaching 3 out next, kept on well to lead flat, won at Musselburgh 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (D) gf in Dec beating Motive (11-0) by 1l, 8 ran.
Bodfari Signet 9-1 (11-9) Held up towards rear, ridden approaching 8th, stayed on from 2 out, 5th of 16, 16l behind Not Today Sir (11-9) at Musselburgh 3m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Jan.
Border Tale 40-1 (10-13) Held up, some headway after 4 out, never dangerous, 12th of 15, 35l behind Down's Folly (10-6) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gf in Dec.
Miss Kilkeel (IRE) 11-2 (11-4) Behind, headway to 6th before 2 out, soon ridden and no extra, 6th of 10, 19l behind Atelios (11-7) at Downpatrick 2m 2f hdl gf in Aug.
