mid-division, ridden and headway approaching 2 out, led and pecked last, hard ridden flat, ran on well close home readily
prominent, lost touch 3 out, soon ridden, one pace from 2 out
held up last, headway after 3 out, switched left and challenged 2 out, close up last, kept on well flat, not pace of leaders
held up towards rear, headway 3 out, ridden 2 out, weakened after
pulled early and held up towards rear, ridden 3 out, one pace
led, ridden approaching 2 out, headed last, kept on flat, no extra close home
pulled early and held up towards rear, headway and chased leaders after 2nd, weakened quickly and eased 2 out
prominent, ridden clear approaching 2 out, kept on same pace
chased leader, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up quickly and dismounted after 2 out
held up in touch, every chance last, ran on well flat, not pace of winner
Basic Fact is a horse in form so must be feared, however we will side with Kings Signal, with Warningcamp and Anemix making up the shortlist. The last named is a real enigma of a horse and has become frustrating for punters. He does have form over this course however and if benefiting from his latest run in a valuable race at Newbury, he must have each-way claims. Warningcamp should come on for his last run at the end of November, and so must have leading claims. He has made just four starts over hurdles and hasn't been disgraced in any of them so although he looks on a stiff enough mark, he should go well. Basic Fact cruised to victory just eight days ago, however this drop in trip doesn't appear to be ideal and with the form of that last win looking average, the call must be to take him on at a short price. Our selection Kings Signal hasn't won in seven attempts over hurdles, however he was far from disgraced last time out in a decent contest and looks to hold the most solid form. He has been dropped a pound for that effort and so he gets our vote to finally get his head in front.
Warningcamp (GER) 5-1 (11-12) Mid-division, headway after 3 out, ridden approaching 3 out, ran on well from last, nearest finish, 3rd of 13, 2l behind Templer (10-10) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Nov.
Anemix (FR) 10-1 (9-13) Chased leaders until weakened 3 out, mistake next, 8th of 9, 44l behind Afsoun (11-10) at Newbury 2m hcp hdl (1) sft in Nov.
Kings Signal (USA) 13-2 (10-6) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 2 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace, 4th of 12, 13l behind Papini (11-3) at Sandown 2m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) hvy in Jan.
Earth Man (IRE) 5-2fav (11-5) Mid-division, behind from 4 out, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Itsmyboy (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m nov hcp hdl (B) gd in Oct '05, 13 ran.
Dusty Dane (IRE) 33-1 (11-5) Mid-division, mistake 3rd, weakened 4th, 5th of 11, 22l behind Master Mahogany (11-2) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Dec.
The Local 13-2 (10-10) Pulled early, held up in touch, ridden approaching 2 out, one pace, 6th of 9, 19l behind Amour Multiple (11-12) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft in Jan.
Ostrogoth (FR) 6-1 (11-0) Led, soon clear, headed after 3 out, gradually faded, 14th of 21, 45l behind Climate Change (11-0) at Newbury 2m mdn hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Cold Mountain (IRE) 14-1 (10-6) Chased leader until 3 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace, 3rd of 10, 16l behind Lord Of Beauty (11-3) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Dec.
Redi (ITY) 33-1 (11-4) Reluctant to race, in rear, lost touch 8th, behind when pulled up 4 out in race won by Fountain Crumble (10-5) at Taunton 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Dec, 15 ran.
Basic Fact (IRE) 6-1 (11-4) Mid-division, headway 6th, soon tracking leaders, led 3 out, clear when jumped right last, driven out, won at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Jan beating Sheriff Roscoe (11-12) by 7l, 12 ran.
