tracked leaders, led 3 out, blundered next, soon hard ridden, all out
mid-division until weakened after 3 out
led until 2nd, chased leaders until weakened after 3 out
held up towards rear, headway from 6th, ridden into 4th approaching 2 out, one pace after
always towards rear
mid-division, hit 5th, weakened approaching 3 out
in touch, hit 4th, ridden after 3 out, gradually faded
hit 2nd and 3rd, always behind, pulled up before 2 out
hampered 1st, mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, ridden into 3rd approaching 2 out, not pace of leading pair
took keen hold, led and mistake 2nd, mistake 3rd, stumbled and headed 5th, soon weakened, pulled up before 3 out
mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, soon ridden, one pace after
tracked leaders, hit 2nd and 6th, pressed winner, hard ridden and every chance flat, just failed
in touch until weakened after 3 out
tracked leaders, led after 5th, headed 3 out, soon ridden, one pace from next
always towards rear
Closed Shop gets the vote in this novices' hurdle to close the card with Blackbriery Thyne and Portland Bill the others to consider. The selection has plenty in his favour as he is proven on the ground and he lost no caste in defeat when finishing a close second behind Cruising River over this course and distance last time. A reproduction of that effort should see him tough to beat. Blackbriery Thyne was a fair third behind Mountain Approach on heavy ground at Newbury last time. She was stepped-up in trip that day and although she ran well enough, she will need to improve again to get her head in front today. Portland Bill is a course and distance winner and he will be suited by the drop in trip after failing to get home over 3m last time out. Mister Knight hails from the Paul Nicholls yard and is certainly worth a look in the market, but Closed Shop looks to have everything in his favour and he stands out as the obvious choice.
Portland Bill (IRE) 7-1 (11-2) Mid-division, mistake 6th, headway next, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, weakened approaching last, 6th of 17, 18l behind The Real Deal (10-9) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Dec.
Blackbriery Thyne (IRE) 9-2 (11-2) Led 1st, headed 2 out, stayed on same pace flat, 3rd of 11, 5l behind Mountain Approach (10-10) at Newbury 2m 5f mrs nov hdl (3) hvy in Nov.
Bubbling Under (IRE) 20-1 (10-9) Tracked winner until 6th, behind from 8th, 11th of 16, well behind Best Actor (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 6f nh mdn hdl (5) gs in Dec.
Closed Shop (IRE) 11-8fav (10-12) Held up, headway 8th, hit 2 out, every chance last, hard ridden and ran on well flat, just failed, 2nd of 11, shd behind Cruising River (11-5) at Wincanton 2m 6f nov hdl (4) sft in Oct.
Dr Flight 4-1 (10-7) Chased leaders to 5f out, soon weakened, 7th of 12, 11l behind Dubai Sunday (11-4) at Lingfield 2m nhf (6) pol.
Duke of Kentford 100-1 (10-12) Held up mid-division, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 11th of 15, 47l behind Sir Jimmy Shand (11-5) at Newbury 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Extra Bold 100-1 (11-0) Mid-division and keen, hampered 4th, ridden and weakened 4 out, 5th of 8, 37l behind Only For Sue (11-5) at Chepstow 2m nov hdl (2) sft in Dec.
Jim Edwards (IRE) 9-4 (10-13) In touch, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 13, well behind Flight Leader (10-13) at Chepstow 3m mdn hdl (5) gs in Oct.
Jolibob (IRE) 16-1 (11-1) Mid-division, weakened over 8f out, 11th of 17, well behind Sound Accord (11-8) at Huntingdon 2m nhf (6) gs in Dec.
Low Delta (IRE) 25-1 (11-7) Mid-division, 9th halfway, no impression under pressure and kept on same pace from 3f out, 7th of 15, 26l behind Serve Time (11-6) at Sligo 2m nhf gd in Jun.
Master Tanner 250-1 (10-11) Held up, weakened over 7f out, last of 13, well behind Pangbourne (11-4) at Huntingdon 2m mdn nhf (6) gs.
Mister Knight (IRE) 16-1 (10-11) Behind, stayed on past beaten horses from 3 out, went moderate 4th flat, never troubled leaders, 4th of 16, 43l behind Best Actor (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 6f nh mdn hdl (5) gs in Dec.
Nougat de L'Isle (FR) 16-1 (10-12) In touch, led 4th, headed approaching 3 out, led approaching last, hit last, hard ridden and headed flat, no extra, 3rd of 14, 1l behind Here's Johnny (11-5) at Exeter 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Play It Again 11-4fav (11-4) Led until over 5f out, weakened over 3f out, 5th of 19, 32l behind Ballymena (10-1) at Worcester 2m mdn nhf (H) gf in Apr '05.
Sea Eagle (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders until pushed along and lost place 5th, 5th of 15, 28l behind Sir Jimmy Shand (11-5) at Newbury 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Wujood 200-1 (10-12) Always towards rear, last of 9, 47l behind Nobelix (11-4) at Leicester 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Estancia 50-1 (10-7) Hampered 3rd, always towards rear, 8th of 13, 19l behind Once A Brownie (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gd in Nov.
