tracked leaders, driven to challenge 3 out, stayed on same pace from next
led until 4th, keen after, led again before next, headed 5 out, weakened next, tailed off
held up in touch, jumped slowly, mistake 4th, under pressure 8th, headway when mistake 4 out, chased winner next, kept on well
tracked leaders, weakened after 4 out
held up in rear, pulled hard, headway to lead 4th, headed before next, led again 5 out, drew clear 2 out, comfortably
held up in touch, headway 4 out, hung left next, soon no impression
Mick Easterby has his horses in form and LIGHTENING ROD is due a victory. He hasn't won since completing a double over hurdles on this track in 2014 but has dropped to such a lowly mark that he'll take some beating. Nine Altars last won a race a year ago when landing a handicap hurdle at Ayr but he's generally thereabouts at this level over fences and will be suited by the quicker ground. Vision Des Champs won a better handicap than this at Sandown in December 2015 when trained by Gary Moore but pulled up on his first start for new connections at Newbury last month. Honourable Gent hasn't run since the summer of 2015 so is likely to need this while it's a long time since Boss Des Mottes showed any form. Endeavor has been brilliantly placed by Dianne Sayer to win 17 races and though he's been running poorly over hurdles he would have a chance on his close second at Musselburgh in November.
Nine Altars (IRE) 7-2 (11-12) In touch in 4th, chased winner run-in, always held, 2nd of 5, 6l behind Forest Des Aigles (11-5) at Kelso 2m 1f hcp (4) hvy in Mar.
Vision Des Champs (FR) 50-1 (11-6) Took keen hold, tracked leading pair until before 4 out, weakened quickly, behind and pulled up before 3 out, at Newbury 2m hcp (3) sft in Mar.
Lightening Rod 5-2fav (11-5) Held up behind, headway 6th, soon tracked leaders, went 2nd 3 out, ridden after next, kept on same pace, no impression with winner before last, 2nd of 8, 5l behind Plaisir D'amour (11-12) at Wetherby 1m 7f hcp (4) gs in Feb.
Boss Des Mottes (FR) 16-1 (11-8) Towards rear, outpaced before 11th, in 4th from 4 out, no impression when blundered 2 out, 4th of 6, 30l behind Nomoreblackjack (11-6) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp (4) sft in Mar.
Honourable Gent 11-2 (11-11) Held up in rear, headway when mistake 4 out, challenged 2 out, every chance between last 2, ridden and one pace after last, no chance with winner flat, 2nd of 10, 11l behind Dynamic Drive (11-4) at Hexham 2m hcp (4) gd in Sep.
Endeavor 12-1 (11-1) Held up in rear, ridden and weakened before 3 out, pulled up before 2 out, at Uttoxeter 2m hcp (5) sft in Apr.
