chased leaders until weakened soon after 3 out
took keen hold, close up, headway to lead before 5th, ridden after 2 out, headed last, stayed on same pace flat
led to before 5th, chased leader, hit 3 out, lost 2nd approaching 2 out, slightly outpaced soon after, kept on again flat
always in rear, struggling 6th, tailed off when pulled up approaching 3 out
took keen hold in touch, pushed along well before 2 out, weakened soon after, tailed off and eased
held up towards rear, jumped badly left and hampered rival 1st, driven after 3 out, struggling before next
soon towards rear, mistake 4th, tailed off soon after 3 out
chased leader to before 5th, ridden and weakened soon after 3 out, tailed off
held up towards rear, hit 2nd, headway after 3 out, ridden and still pressing leaders last, stayed on same pace flat
held up towards rear when badly hampered and brought down 1st
not fluent, behind, reminders and struggling after 3 out
SOUTHERNESS could be worth chancing in a novice hurdle that may be more open than it appears at first glance. Northern raider Bothy, Northern Jem, Cool Touch and Rayon Vert are others to consider. The selection disappointed on debut for this yard on his first run over hurdles but there were excuses for that performance. He had shown a useful level of form in bumpers for Lenny Lungo, there's no reason why he won't translate that ability to hurdling and he could represent a little value. The third from Bothy's Bangor win let the form down earlier in the week but it would be unwise to read too much into that. He should be suited by the demands of this track and have more to offer. Northern Jem was in the process of making a pleasing debut when taking a tumble and looks up to winning a race of this nature on that evidence whilst Rayon Vert looks the part on paper and is one of the more interesting newcomers. Cool Touch was capable of decent form on the level in his prime and it will be interesting to see if there's any confidence behind his chance on his return to action for a new yard whilst Escort'men is another reappearing for a new yard and should also be monitored. The betting should reveal more but a chance is taken with Southerness.
Art Man 66-1 (10-7) Mid-division until ridden and weakened after 3 out, tailed off, 11th of 14, 28l behind Tito Bustillo (11-8) at Taunton 2m 1f nh nov hdl (3) sft in Dec.
Cool Touch (IRE) 10-1 (11-7) Mid-division, raced keenly early, 7th halfway, 6th 4 out, no impression after 3 out, kept on same pace, 5th of 20, 16l behind Shazand (11-7) at Gowran Park 2m 4yo mdn hdl sft in Nov '07.
El Distintivo (ARG) 33-1 (10-12) Mid-division, not fluent 5th, weakened approaching 3 out, 10th of 15, well behind Dr Livingstone (10-12) at Leicester 2m nh nov hdl (3) gf in Dec.
Ellie's Prince 100-1 (10-11) Led, headed approaching 6th, soon weakened, tailed off, 11th of 12, well behind Ocean Transit (10-7) at Taunton 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Gamedor (FR) 50-1 (11-0) Held up in touch, weakened before 3 out, tailed off, 7th of 14, well behind Oscar Whisky (11-0) at Newbury 2m mdn hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Northern Jem 8-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway approaching 6th, challenging when hit 3 out, 3rd, beaten when fell last, in a race won by Black Apache (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Nov, 16 ran.
Rayon Vert (FR) Ragmar gelding out of Danse Verte.
Sherminator (IRE) 40-1 (11-2) Held up in mid-division, behind and no chance when badly hampered on bend over 3f out, 10th of 11, 46l behind Owen Glendower (11-2) at Taunton 2m 1f NH flat (5) sft in Dec.
Southerness 5-1 (10-9) Held up, raced keenly, not fluent 3rd, blundered next, mistake 5th, weakened 3 out, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, dismounted, in a race won by Rathrockscourt (11-5) at Stratford 2m NH nov hdl 4-6yo (3) gd in Oct, 5 ran.
Bothy 2-1fav (11-0) Towards rear, hit 4th, chased leaders approaching 2 out, ridden approaching last, led flat, driven out, won at Bangor 2m 1f 3yo mdn hdl (4) sft in Dec beating Al Qeddaaf (11-0) by 2l, 9 ran.
Escort'men (FR) (10-1) 5th of 20, 13l behind Sable Des Dunes (10-5) at Auteuil(FR) 2m 2f hdl sft in Sep.
Salontyre (GER) 200-1 (11-0) Chased leaders until lost place before 3rd, soon struggling in rear, tailed off, 7th of 8, 44l behind Me Voici (11-0) at Chepstow 2m 3yo hdl Grd 1 (1) hvy in Dec.
