tracked leaders, soon lost place, in rear when pulled up after 8th
prominent, chased winner from 13th, no impression from 3 out
prominent, weakened from 5 out
always towards rear
always towards rear
made all, jumped well, clear 2 out
held up, soon tracking leaders, lost place 12th, headway 5 out, no impression from 4 out
with winner, pushed along approaching 9th, reminders after next, blundered 11th, kept on from 4 out, no impression
in rear, weakened from 5 out, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
A moderate handicap chase where the soft ground may help TEENANDO to jump better and he gets the vote ahead of Windy Hills. The Sue Smith-trained pick is at home on bottomless ground and over trips between two and three miles, so with more rain forecast this might just be ideal for him. True, he does have to iron out some jumping flaws, but they have come when the ground has been faster, and today's conditions look sure to help in that regard. With the stable running into some form then we will go with him. Windy Hills was a Kelso staying hurdle winner on good to soft, and this trip looks ideal, although his profile suggests that he won't want too much more rain. The ground appears to have gone against Chernik, who has plenty of stamina but has an arduous task with top weight when he prefers a sound surface, while conditions have come right for Dark Ben, who looked a useful recruit three seasons ago and stays well, but has a massive lay-off to overcome. Teenando is preferred in a tricky contest.
Chernik (IRE) 5-1 (11-1) Chased leaders in 3rd, not fluent 1st, blundered 10th, reminders 13th, weakened from 3 out, soon eased, last of 5, well behind Western Gale (10-12) at Hexham 3m 1f nov stks (3) gf in Oct.
Silent Bay 33-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, ridden 10th, soon well behind, last of 6, well behind Faasel (11-2) at Carlisle 2m 5f chs (2) hvy in Nov '08.
Teenando (IRE) 10-1 (10-13) Chased leaders, not fluent 2nd, reminders 4th, weakened 9th, tailed off, 7th of 10, well behind Jump Jet (11-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Oct.
Windy Hills 25-1 (11-5) Mid-division, left leader 4 out, headed next, ridden and weakened flat, 4th of 8, 13l behind Nicozetto (10-7) at Kelso 3m 4f hcp ch 0-110 (4) gs in May.
Star Beat 18-1 (11-5) Always behind, 12th of 13, well behind Young Albert (11-3) at Haydock 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Apr.
Dark Ben (FR) 9-1 (10-4) In touch, challenged 3 out, ridden and every chance next, kept on flat, no impression towards finish, 2nd of 12, 2 1/2l behind Devil's Run (10-12) at Sedgefield 3m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in May '06.
Saddler's Way (IRE) 14-1 (11-6) Held up in rear, blundered and unseated rider 12th, in a race won by Treehouse (9-12) at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft, 10 ran.
Lethem Present (IRE) 40-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, lost place approaching 9th, soon tailed off, pulled up before 7 out, in a race won by Simply Smashing (11-5) at Carlisle 3m hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in Oct, 11 ran.
Day du Roy (FR) 16-1 (10-0) Held up in rear, headway when hampered 3 out, weakened 2 out, 3rd of 11, 15l behind Marufo (11-12) at Southwell 3m 2f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in Apr.
Esme Rides A Gaine 11-2 (10-0) Led to 4th, chased winner until approaching 13th, soon struggling, 5th of 9, 19l behind Sandhurst (11-12) at Cartmel 3m 2f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Jul.
