held up, ridden and struggling 3 out, soon lost touch, tailed off when pulled up before last
pressed winner until 3 out, soon ridden, weakened approaching last
in touch, ridden and stayed on same pace from 2 out
took keen hold, headway on outside approaching 3 out, chased winner from 2 out, no impression and hung left flat
held up, headway and chasing leaders when fell 2 out
pulled hard, held up, headway 5th, weakened approaching last
mid-division, headway approaching 5th, weakened flat
made virtually all, ridden approaching last, eased towards finish
chased leaders, pushed along after 3rd, weakened after next, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
with leaders, weakened after 3 out, tailed off when pulled up before last
mid-division, ridden and struggling when blundered 3 out, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
chased leaders, not fluent 4th, 3rd when mistake 2 out, soon weakened, pulled up before last
raced keenly, always in rear, tailed off when pulled up before last
A wide open novices' handicap hurdle here and as usual in these events the market will be very informative, but the main protagonists look to be Ndola, Risk Challenge and Morning Roses and the narrow vote is given to Ndola. The selection hails from the very shrewd Barney Curley yard and although he has shown little of late he looks dangerously well handicapped on his best form. Risk Challenge rates the main danger on his latest ,staying on third behind Forzacurity but he has already given the impression he would be suited by a longer trip. Morning Roses has the ability to go close off this mark but does not always use it so she cannot be put forward with any confidence. Of the remainder, Amnesty could go well if fit after a 438-day break while Harry's Lane is as game as they come but he looks weighted up to his best, and for the winner we return to Ndola in the hope that today is a going day.
City Breeze (IRE) 50-1 (10-9) Led to 2nd, led 3rd to 4th, weakened approaching 2 out, 5th of 16, 14l behind Soprano (11-2) at Worcester 2m mdn hdl (5) gf in May.
Harry's Lane 14-1 (11-9) Mid-division, headway 5th, ridden after 3 out, 6th and held when blundered next, 9th of 16, 37l behind Willandrich (10-11) at Fontwell 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gf in Jun.
Legs Diamond (IRE) 20-1 (9-6) Chased leaders, mainly 3rd, improved to 2nd 3 out, ridden and weakened entering straight, 13th of 17, 27l behind Green Mile (10-0) at Fairyhouse 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-116 gd in Jun.
Amnesty 5-2 (10-12) Not fluent, held up, headway to chase leaders before 3 out, soon ridden and weakened next, 4th of 12, 7l behind Shaman (10-12) at Plumpton 2m clm hdl (5) gf in May '06.
Risk Challenge (USA) 25-1 (11-4) Took keen hold in rear, mistake and hampered 7th, headway approaching 3 out, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 15, 12l behind Forzacurity (10-4) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Jun.
Morning Roses 17-2 (10-9) In touch until outpaced 2 out, 5th of 13, 18l behind Quarry Island (10-12) at Hexham 2m mrs nov hdl (4) sft in Jun.
Ndola 16-1 (9-12) Always in rear, 10th of 14, 26l behind Helen Wood (10-5) at Leicester 2m amt hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in Jan.
Sound And Vision (IRE) 7-1 (10-6) Took keen hold, prominent, led approaching 2 out, soon headed, one pace flat, 4th of 12, 4l behind Are You There (11-11) at Worcester 2m sll hcp hdl (5) sft in Jun.