tracked leaders, challenged 3 out, soon ridden and beaten
prominent, outpaced 4 out, 5th and beaten when fell last
held up, headway 3 out, challenged last, not reach winner
held up, ridden approaching 3 out, soon driven and one pace
in rear, headway to join leaders 4 out, ridden and one pace from 2 out
led, headed approaching 3 out, tailed off when jinked right and unseated rider last
tracked leaders, challenged 2 out, soon driven and one pace
in touch, ridden to lead 3 out, kept on gamely from last
ANDYTOWN has taken a rise of 18lb in the ratings owing to a very impressive victory at Cheltenham last time out and while any horse can prove vulnerable with a hike to that extent, Nicky Henderson's charge can follow up his Cheltenham victory here. The chance that Andytown could be leniently treated came to fruition in no uncertain terms and while this represents a step up in class, quite a few of his rivals here are already on their handicap marks while at Cheltenham some of those rivals behind him were open to further improvement. The assessor has taken no chances with him but it is notable that connections have persevered over hurdles in an attempt to defy the handicapper rather than return to chasing. Leac An Scail was pulled up early on last time at Haydock but prior to that he posted respectable efforts at Sedgefield and in particular Aintree but in terms of improvement, those efforts are as good as he is. Terenzium's credentials will be boosted should Border Reiver run well in the opener. This is his first effort in handicap company while Theatre Belle proved herself a progressive mare throughout last season. Her third placing behind My Petra at this venue on her penultimate start adds further belief that she could well have further improvement to come. Peters Star has formlines with Theatre Belle and Donald McCain charge has a big swing in the weights compared to their clash at Sedgefield in April. Andytown can continue the good run being enjoyed by the Nicky Henderson yard and land this.
Andytown (IRE) 11-4fav (11-4) Held up in touch, went 2nd after 7th, led just before 2 out, clear last, eased towards finish, won at Cheltenham 2m 5f cnd hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Nov beating Maucaillou (11-8) by 2 1/2l, 22 ran.
Tighten Your Belt (IRE) 11-1 (11-2) Held up, headway and hit 4th, led 8th, headed approaching 2 out, soon weakened and pulled up at the last in race won by Companero (11-12) at Hexham 3m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) hvy in Nov, 7 ran.
Theatre Belle 13-2 (11-3) In touch, challenged 7th, every chance 3 out, ridden and kept on same pace from next, 5th of 13, 7l behind Tension Point (10-4) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Nov.
Leac An Scail (IRE) 10-1 (10-1) Held up, lost action and pulled up 5 out in race won by According To Pete (10-13) at Haydock 3m hcp hdl (2) gs in Nov, 15 ran.
Pay Attention 14-1 (11-6) Held up in rear, effort approaching 3 out, never dangerous, 5th of 11, 14l behind European Dream (11-4) at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Nov.
Balamory Dan (IRE) 16-1 (11-2) Led to 4th, chased leaders, weakened 3 out, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by Tension Point (10-4) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Nov, 13 ran.
Peters Star (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) In rear, reminders after 5th, detached from next and pulled up at the 8th in race won by Cavers Glen (11-2) at Carlisle 2m 5f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Nov, 12 ran.
Terenzium (IRE) 11-1 (10-12) Held up, headway 4 out, ridden and hit last, kept on, 3rd of 14, 4 1/2l behind Dzesmin (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
