raced keenly, held up in 4th, challenged 3 out, led going well when hit 2 out, pushed clear flat
chased leader, ridden to lead 3 out, headed when mistake 2 out, weakened flat, held on for 2nd
led, keen early, headed 3 out, still close third 2 out, weakened flat, kept battling to try and get 2nd
held up in last, raced keenly, pushed along before 5th, carried head high and weakened after 3 out
held up in 3rd, jumped slowly 4th and 5th, weakened after 3 out
KNOW THE LAW should take plenty of beating in this novices' hurdle; the list of alternatives is headed by Sam Lord and L'Homme de Nuit. It is hard to know what the selection beat last time out but he could not have been any more impressive when he finished well clear of Amwell Brave. He remains unexposed and it will be disappointing if he is not good enough to win this. Sam Lord won well last time but that was a weak contest and the fact that he had tried and failed to get his head in front on 12 previous attempts over hurdles is a slight cause for concern. L'Homme de Nuit disappointed last time in a handicap hurdle, although he was racing off a high enough mark that day. Sir Liam has got some fair form on the flat but he was well beaten on his only previous try over hurdles, so he is hard to recommend with any confidence tonight. It will be a surprise if any of the others are good enough, and we will stick with Know The Law as the selection.
Know The Law 7-4fav (10-9) Mid-division, headway 4th, went 2nd after 3out, led on bit 2 out, clear last, easily, won at Huntingdon 2m mdn hdl (4) gf beating Amwell Brave (11-0) by 10l, 11 ran.
Sam Lord 1-2fav (11-0) Chased leaders, pushed along after 3 out, challenged on inside to lead 2 out, driven out flat, stayed on strongly, won at Plumpton 2m mdn hdl (5) gd beating Night Orbit (11-0) by 2 1/4l, 11 ran.
Viable 11-1 (11-5) In touch and keen, ridden to lead 2 out, clear last, ridden out, won at Huntingdon 2m ldys hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Mar beating Kassuta (10-2) by 6l, 16 ran.
Unanswered 6-1 (11-0) Held up and keen, effort 4 out, no impression, 7th of 8, well behind De Welsh Wizzard (10-11) at Chepstow 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gd.
Rowan River 14-1 (9-2) Tracked leaders to 3f out, soon weakened, 13th of 14, 36l behind Ryedale Ovation (8-9) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp (5) pol in Oct (flat).
L'Homme de Nuit (GER) 5-1fav (11-7) In touch, ridden and weakened after 3 out, 7th of 14, 22l behind Dantari (10-3) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Mar.
Sir Liam (USA) 25-1 (10-8) Mid-division, weakened 3 out, 5th of 9, 41l behind Laredo Sound (11-8) at Lingfield 2m nov hdl (4) gd in Mar '08.
Topping The Bill 100-1 (10-11) Promient until ran wide on bend after 3f, always behind thereafter, 13th of 15, well behind Red Harbour (11-4) at Ascot 2m N H flat G2 (1) gs in Dec.
