led until before 4th, chased leader, weakened well before 2 out
took keen hold, chased leader, pushed along after 3 out, weakened before next
chased leaders, went 2nd well before 2 out, closed and hit 2 out, lost 2nd approaching last, 3rd and one pace flat
towards rear, plugged on from 2 out, blundered last, never on terms
took keen hold, soon chasing leaders, pushed along and weakened after 3 out, hit last
chased leaders, led before 4th and soon clear, reduced lead before 2 out, joined and not fluent last, soon headed and kept on same pace flat
took keen hold in mid-division, pushed along in 6th after 3 out, kept on same pace from next
not always fluent, held up in mid-division, headway chasing leaders when hit 3 out, mistake 2 out, one pace in 4th when mistake and landed awkwardly last
held up in mid-division, smooth headway after 3 out, went 2nd approaching last, challenged and slight stumble last, soon led and ran on well, comfortably
always towards rear
behind, jumped slowly 3rd, jinked left and unseated rider next
always in rear, hampered 4th, hit next, tailed off
chased leaders, pushed along and losing place when not fluent 5th, soon behind, tailed off
towards rear, no chance when mistake 2 out, plugged on
Despite tackling hurdles for the first time and reappearing following a lengthy absence, both SHARENI and Stand To Reason are likely to be at the forefront of the betting in this maiden hurdle. Neither are likely to fail through lack of fitness given connections and the latter won three times on the Flat, though does seem to prefer softer ground than he'll get today. The former was placed three times on the level in France last year and is the type that Paul Nicholls normally excels with so he gets the nod on this occasion. Red Seventy was fifth on his hurdling debut at Taunton and looks the pick of David Pipe's trio with Mr Fickle arguably best of the rest.
Already Basking (CAN) 200-1 (10-5) Always behind, losing touch from 7th, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Swallowshide (10-12) at Wincanton 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Nov, 7 ran.
Chance Encounter (IRE) 13-2 (11-0) Chased clear leaders, headway approaching 2 out, soon under pressure, left in moderate 2nd at last, never able to challenge, 2nd of 7, 27l behind Sonoran Sands (10-13) at Wincanton 2m nh nov hdl (4) gf in Mar '12.
Forget And Forgive (IRE) 40-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, jumped slowly 1st, went right 3 out, soon lost 3rd, weakened quickly before 2 out, tailed off, 9th of 10, 39l behind Regal Encore (10-12) at Plumpton 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Hint Of Mint 33-1 (10-12) Raced wide and always towards rear, tailed off, 10th of 13, 38l behind Irving (10-12) at Taunton 2m 1f nh nov hdl (3) gd in Nov.
Ma'ire Rua (IRE) 40-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, ran out on paddock bend jumped through rail and unseated rider, in a race won by Sgt Reckless (10-12) at Kempton 2m NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) gd in Nov, 8 ran.
Mr Fickle (IRE) 33-1 (10-9) Mid-division, effort before 2 out, never dangerous, 7th of 17, 21l behind Volnay De Thaix (11-5) at Kempton 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Prasina Russata (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Held up mid-division, ridden before 2 out, one pace and no impression, 5th of 12, 13l behind The Skyfarmer (11-5) at Taunton 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Red Seventy 40-1 (10-5) Took keen hold in touch, chased leaders before 2 out, no impression soon after, 5th of 13, 13l behind Irving (10-12) at Taunton 2m 1f nh nov hdl (3) gd in Nov.
River Dancing (IRE) 10-1 (10-12) Mistake 2 out, behind most of way, tailed off, 10th of 15, well behind Anay Turge (10-9) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gf in Jun.
Shareni (IRE) (8-12) 2nd of 7, 3/4l behind Prince Of Sofia (8-12) at Saint-cloud(FR) 1m 7f 3yo stk gs in Sep '12 (flat).
Stand To Reason (IRE) 10-1 (9-10) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, hung left over 1f out and soon challenged, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 15, 7l behind First Mohican (9-4) at Nottingham 1m 2f hcp 0-95 (3) sft in Oct '12 (flat).
Strategic Exit 14-1 (12-0) Lost plce 5; wl bhnd when pu 4 out, in a race won by Net Work Rouge (11-0) at Berkeley 2m 4f ptp gs in Apr, 10 ran.
Dance 11-2 (10-4) Led, took keen hold, ridden 2f out, headed over 1f out, no extra final 100 yards, 3rd of 14, 9l behind Neston Grace (11-9) at Taunton 2m 1f mares n h flat (5) gf in Apr.
Party Girls (FR) 50-1 (9-12) In rear, well held when mistake and unseated rider 4 out, in a race won by The Skyfarmer (11-5) at Taunton 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Nov, 12 ran.
The Selector 50-1 (10-12) With leader, led over 3f out, ridden and headed well over 1f out, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 7, 5l behind Hannah's Princess (11-5) at Lingfield 2m (6) std in Nov.
Unefille De Guye (FR) 11-1 (10-2) Always in rear, never a factor, 7th of 10, 27l behind Doctor Harper (11-5) at Exeter 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Wicklewood 200-1 (10-12) Chased leader until 5th, weakened 3 out, 8th of 13, 22l behind Irving (10-12) at Taunton 2m 1f nh nov hdl (3) gd in Nov.
Pelcomb Bridge 14-1 (11-7) (tt) a bhnd; to, 8th of 11, 45l behind Copper Carroll (11-7) at Bonvilston 3m ptp in May '10.
