made most, came stand side and ridden after 2 out, headed narrowly flat, rallied gamely to lead again final stride
held up inside, headway 8th, ridden to chase leaders approaching 2 out, no impression approaching last
mid-division, headway to chase winner after 3 out, soon ridden and outpaced, weakening when mistake last
with leader, driven and lost pace 7th, soon behind
chased leaders, blundered and lost place 5th, soon struggling, tailed off from 2 out, pulled up next
mid-division, pushed along 3 out, soon ridden, one pace and no impression when mistake last
held up mid-division, headway 3 out, ridden and weakened from next
tracked leaders, went 2nd after 7th, outpaced after 3 out, soon ridden, stayed on under pressure to lead narrowly flat, headed and no extra final stride
behind, some headway 3 out, outpaced next, soon weakened
behind, close up 5th, ridden and chased leaders after 3 out, soon weakened
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Nolife gets the verdict over San Peire, Desert Tommy, Letitia's Loss, Perfect Balance and Primitive Poppy in an open handicap hurdle. Nolife was well placed to complete a four-timer last season, and lined up on a mark of 96 when making a belated reappearance at Kelso in October. Despite being in need of the run, Lucinda Russell's charge was sent off as favourite that day, and made a bold bid to make all until collared and passed by Tobesure two out. He has had another break, but with his stable in decent form, hopes are high that he can bounce back to add to his tally, and he should at the very least account for General Duroc who was fourth at Kelso and who reopposes on worse terms. On a line through the latter, he has the beating of San Peire who was second to Brian Storey's inmate over the course-and-distance in December and who lines up on six-pound worse terms. In addition, San Peire is five-pounds worse off with Letitia's Loss on running here in January which adds to the equation. Desert Tommy is finally starting to realise his potential and is chasing a hat-trick, so it would be unwise to dismiss his chances, especially with Nick Williams claiming a handy five-pounds. Primitive Poppy only just failed to get up on her last visit here and is still fairly weighted, but Perfect Balance will find things tougher then when beating very moderate opponents at Southwell last time. All in all, Nolife has sound claims and can be supported to score again.
San Peire (FR) 4-1fav (11-9) Held up, headway approaching 3 out, ridden to lead approaching last, ran on well, won at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Jan beating Letitia's Loss (11-12) by 6l, 10 ran.
Letitia's Loss (IRE) 5-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, led approaching 2 out, soon ridden, headed approaching last, one pace, 2nd of 10, 6l behind San Peire (11-9) at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Jan.
Perfect Balance (IRE) 11-2 (11-6) In touch, headway approaching 3 out, led approaching next, soon clear, won at Southwell 3m hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gd in Jan beating Silver Gift (11-1) by 7l, 16 ran.
Primitive Poppy 10-1 (10-1) Held up, headway 4 out, chased winner 2 out, every chance last, ran on, 2nd of 10, 3/4l behind Joe Brown (11-7) at Sedgefield 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Jan.
Ocean Tide 16-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders throughout, ridden, outpaced when hit 3 out, stayed on, 3rd of 13, 9l behind Bar Gayne (11-5) at Hereford 3m 2f hdl 0-90 (5) sft in Jan.
Dark Thunder (IRE) 4-1fav (10-4) Towards rear, struggling 14th, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Bang And Blame (10-4) at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp chs 0-95 (F) sft in Dec, 13 ran.
Desert Tommy 8-1 (11-9) Prominent, hit 6th, led approaching 2 out, ridden out, won at Towcester 3m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) beating Classic Sight (11-0) by 7l, 18 ran.
Nolife (IRE) 9-4fav (11-5) Led, headed approaching last, kept on same pace, 2nd of 14, 6l behind Tobesure (11-4) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-100 (F) gs in Oct.
