chased leader, lost place 9th, soon struggling, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
jumped right, led, clear 8th to 4 out, hard pressed when left 2 lengths clear 2 out, ridden and headed before last, kept on same pace
mid-division, headway and in touch 8th, went 2nd next, challenged and every chance when swerved badly left and unseated rider 2 out
held up, headway 3 out, left 3rd next, ridden and kept on approaching last, no impression
tracked leaders, lost place 9th, ridden and outpaced 4 out, weakened from next
behind and early reminders, lost touch and pulled up before 8th
held up behind, outpaced 3 out, 5th and beaten when hampered by jockey and brought down next
mid-division, outpaced 4 out, beaten next
mid-division, reminders 7th, outpaced 4 out, weakened next
mid-division, headway 4 out, chased leading pair before next, left 2 lengths 2nd 2 out, ridden to lead before last, stayed on
chased leaders, lost place 4 out, weakened next, tailed off when pulled up before last
Mr Woods has to be on any shortlist for this decent handicap hurdle after the trip can be used as a possible excuse for his last run but having only found a well handicapped runner too good last time FOURTY ACERS is given our confidence at the expense of Mission Control. This sort of stamina test is perfect for the selection, who wasn't beaten far by a subsequent winner last time. Given that winning performance by his conqueror the selection is up five pounds in the weights and that seems fair especially with his pilot removing some useful weight from his back. Mr Woods was a little one paced on his seasonal reappearance and handicap debut when dropped in trip last time. He should be better now given this stamina test and the performances of Corkage, who was a place behind him that day, offer his form a big boost. Mission Control only found one too good last time albeit ultimately well held off the mark but looks likely to feature and Irish Raptor is considered if building on his course victory on his last appearance. This looks a competitive contest but Fourty Acers still looks well weighted.
Mr Woods 3-1fav (11-7) Led, ridden 2 out, headed approaching last and soon one pace, 6th of 10, 6l behind Political Paddy (11-2) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Apr.
Fourty Acers (IRE) 7-2 (11-2) Led and soon clear until 6th, headed approaching last, one pace, 2nd of 7, 2 1/2l behind Templer (10-6) at Exeter 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd.
Lie Forrit (IRE) 5-1 (11-7) Held up, steady headway 8th, effort approaching 3 out, led flat, driven out, won at Ayr 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Feb beating Thatlldoforme (10-1) by 1 1/4l, 14 ran.
Tension Point 14-1 (10-8) Held up towards rear, weakened after 3 out, 5th of 12, 18l behind Fairoak Lad (10-13) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-145 (2) gd in Sep.
Irish Raptor (IRE) 8-1 (10-0) In touch, headway when left in lead 10th (Bechers Brook), made rest, ran on strongly run-in, won at Aintree 2m 5f hcp chs (2) gd in Apr beating Oodachee (10-0) by 2 1/4l, 29 ran.
Beau Michel (FR) 5-4 (12-7) Wl bhnd when pu 12, in a race won by Sykee Savage (12-0) at Garnons 3m ptp in Mar, 6 ran.
Risk Runner (IRE) 25-1 (10-11) Held up in rear, weakened 3 out, 6th of 12, 29l behind Fairoak Lad (10-13) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-145 (2) gd in Sep.
Leac An Scail (IRE) 9-2 (11-0) Sweating, chased leaders, lost place after 5th, headway 8th, ridden when hit 2 out, beaten after, one pace, 5th of 14, 5l behind Black Beauty (11-0) at Worcester 2m 7f beg chase (4) gd in May.
Legally Fast (USA) 11-1 (11-7) Poor visibility over 1st 3 hurdles and again over 4th and 5th, in touch, one pace from approaching 3 out, 4th of 9, 4 1/2l behind Bubbs (10-0) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd.
Spring Breeze 11-1 (11-9) Chased leader until after 2 out, stayed on to go 2nd inside final furlong, not troubled winner, 2nd of 11, 4 1/2l behind Solway Bay (10-10) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf.
Benny The Piler (IRE) 15-2 (11-1) Held up mid-division, chased leaders approaching 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 5th of 10, 25l behind Oscar Glory (10-9) at Perth 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Sep.
Mission Control (IRE) 8-1 (10-5) Mid division, went 2nd after 3 out, led after next, headed approaching last, hampered last, kept on same pace, 2nd of 12, 8l behind Fairoak Lad (10-13) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-145 (2) gd in Sep.
