in touch, every chance 3 out, ridden 2 out, one pace flat
chased leader until led 4th, headed 3 out, weakened flat
held up, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off
held up, headway when mistake 3 out, hit last, went 2nd flat, no chance of winner
made most of 4th, weakened 5th, tailed off
held up, headway 3rd, led 3 out, clear last, hung left flat, ran on well (hand timed)
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Beechwood, Dune Raider and Loita Hills are the three to look at here, with Beechwood taken to complete a hat-trick. Loita Hills lost his maiden tag at Chepstow last time, Philip Hobbs' runner showing a good turn of fott in the closing stages. He has only been raised six pounds for that win, and with his confidence lifted, looks set to be a leading player here. Dune Raider has won three of his four starts over hurdles, and although he has been off the track for ten months, he ran well at this time last year, and looks sure to go well. Beechwood in comparison, has been running in far weaker contests, but has won his last two starts with some authority. He still appears leniently treated, and with a good gallop looking assured in this large field, he can make his light weight tell. Beechwood is the selection.
Dune Raider (USA) 13-2 (10-6) In touch, ridden and outpaced 3 out, kept on under pressure from next, 5th of 17, 5l behind Tycoon Hall (9-13) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-145 (2) gd in Jul.
Marrel 9-4fav (10-9) Held up, in touch, left 2nd 8th, ridden after 3 out, led flat, ran on, won at Stratford 2m 5f nov chs (3) gf in Jul beating Over Bridge (11-0) by a shd, 6 ran.
Vintage Gold (USA) 9-2 (11-6) Held up in touch, not fluent 5th and 7th, quickly weakened next, behind when pulled up 4 out in race won by Percussionist (11-6) at Wetherby 2m nov chs (4) sft in Oct, 6 ran.
Cottingham (IRE) 7-1 (10-5) Held up, headway approaching 5th, ridden 3 out, one pace from last, 4th of 10, 8l behind Wise Owl (10-10) at Chepstow 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Apr.
Eleazar (GER) 18-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, led 3 out, drew clear flat, won at Haydock 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Apr beating Loulou Nivernais (11-5) by 11l, 17 ran.
Adjami (IRE) 9-4 (11-1) Chased winner until approaching 3 out, soon weakened, last of 5, 31l behind Sunday City (11-4) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd.
Loita Hills (IRE) 8-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, slow jump 2nd, ridden 3 out, led last, ran on, won at Chepstow 2m mdn hdl (5) gd in Apr beating Bauhaus (11-2) by 3 1/2l, 12 ran.
Dishdasha (IRE) 8-1 (10-9) Held up, headway 3 out, soon tracking leaders, stayed on one pace, 4th of 13, 9l behind Sunisa (10-2) at Huntingdon 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Dec.
