prominent, ridden approaching 3 out, no extra after flat
held up, mistake 3 out, effort and mistake next, led soon after last, driven out
held up, not fluent, ridden along from 7th, sixth and beaten when blundered and fell heavily 9th
jumped right, hung right most of way, led to 9th, joint leader 3 out, narrow lead when wandered last, soon headed, not quicken flat
pressed leader, led 9th, narrowly headed last, not quicken flat
not jumped well, keen hold early, behind, tailed off from 5th, pulled up before 2 out
chased leaders, driven after 3 out, mistake and weakened quickly next
in rear, tailed off from 4th, pulled up before 7th
Not the strongest of races by any stretch of the imagination and this looks a good opportunity for Dancing Bay. Nicky Henderson's charge relishes the mud and was seen to good effect when making a winning hurdles debut here last month. The son of Suave Dancer was far from disgraced when beaten less than nine lengths behind Champion Hurdle ante-post favourite Rhinestone Cowboy at Wetherby last time and will prove hard to beat back at this level. Buckby Lane has claims on his recent close second in similar company at Ludlow. However, the Paul Webber-trained gelding showed his inexperience last time out when blundering away his chance and unseating his rider. Stablemate Benbecular is progressing along the right lines judged on recent placed efforts and should be in the shake up. Bee An Bee comes here in fair form but is more exposed than the selection and looks vulnerable so Alpine Slave, who will appreciate the step up to this trip, may rate a better each-way alternative.
