raced wide in mid-division, headway 8th, chased leaders next, weakened on long run to 2 out
chased leaders, slow 2nd, weakened 3 out
tracked clear leader, closed 5th, led approaching 4 out, headed 3 out, chased leader, every chance 2 out, soon dropped to 3rd, no impression on leading duo when weakened to 4th last
chased leaders, hit 7th, weakened before 4 out, eased from next, tailed off
led, clear 2nd until 5th, headed approaching 4 out, weakened before next, tailed off
mid-division, headway on inside to chase leaders 8th, ridden when not fluent 2 out, weakened to 5th and blundered last
always towards rear, behind from 8th, soon tailed off
chased leading pair, led 3 out, joined 2 out, ridden and headed last, kept on until no extra final 100 yards
held up in rear, steady headway on outside approaching 4 out, chased leaders next, went 2nd soon after 2 out, led last, edged right under pressure flat, driven to assert final 100 yards
always behind, driven and struggling before 8th, tailed off
always behind, tailed off
took keen hold, held up in rear, looked struggling before 6th, headway approaching 2 out, stayed on to 3rd last, no chance with leading duo
mid-division, ridden before 3 out, weakened soon after
Some potentially decent novices face the starter in this opener and there is sure to be plenty of interest in Nicky Henderson's Hadrian's Approach, who won a point-to-point at Dromahane in the spring. His pedigree suggests he'll thrive once going chasing but he should still be good enough to win over hurdles this winter. ROCKY CREEK has the edge in experience, however, and though looking as though a step up to 3m would suit at Exeter last month can get off the mark here. Denali Highway won a Uttoxeter bumper in March and could also play a part while Arbeo ran well over 2m2f at Folkestone and should have no problem staying this longer trip. Fighting Flynn, fourth on his debut at Lingfield last month, may be best of the rest.
Arbeo (IRE) 7-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, challenged 3 out, ridden, unable to quicken and came towards stands side approaching last, stayed on flat, went 2nd post, no impression on winner, 2nd of 5, 2l behind Ballyclough (11-0) at Folkestone 2m 1f NH Maiden Hurdle (4-6yo) (5) gd in Nov.
Balbriggan (IRE) 6-1 (11-0) Mid-division on outside, outpaced over 3f out, soon behind, 8th of 9, 32l behind Benheir (10-7) at Towcester 2m nhf (6) gd in Nov.
Baroque Man 50-1 (10-12) Chased winner until 4th, chased leaders until weakened on long run to 3 out, 6th of 13, 25l behind Swincombe Flame (10-5) at Exeter 2m 1f NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) sft.
Bennys Well (IRE) 4-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, ridden after 5th, soon weakened, pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Benefique (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Oct, 12 ran.
Capisci (IRE) 40-1 (10-9) Led and soon clear, reduced lead 5th, joined 3 out, headed next and dropped to 3rd, well outpaced on long run to last, tailed off, 3rd of 8, 43l behind Ohio Gold (10-5) at Folkestone 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gd in Nov.
Denali Highway (IRE) 5-1 (10-10) Held up in touch, outpaced over 4f out, rallied over 2f out, stayed on well from over 1f out to lead inside final furlong, ridden out, won at Uttoxeter 2m NH flat (6) gs in Mar beating Grand Vision (11-3) by 1 1/4l, 11 ran.
De Waiting Game (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, not fluent 5th, ridden and struggling before 9th, tailed off, 8th of 13, well behind Miss Kalifa (10-5) at Ffos Las 3m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Fighting Flynn (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway on long run approaching 2 out, hit 2 out, plugged on to 4th flat, kept on, 4th of 18, 8l behind Same Difference (10-12) at Lingfield 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Hadrian's Approach (IRE) 7-1 (11-7) Twrds rr & ww, 9th 6out, smooth prog aftr 4out, chall & ld 3out, row, won at Dromahane 3m ire ptp gd in Apr beating Spring Heeled (11-7) by 2l, 12 ran.
Malin Head (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Held up in touch, mistake 3rd, chased leaders 4 out, soon lost place, 12th of 14, well behind Knock A Hand (11-5) at Chepstow 2m 4f nov hdl (4) hvy.
Seventh Hussar 100-1 (10-12) Close up until weakened before 3 out, 9th of 14, 41l behind Moorland Sunset (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) sft.
The Druids Nephew (IRE) 6-4 (11-7) Mostly 4th until disp from 8th, ld aftr 4out, chall 2out & 1l adv when faster jump last, just held on, won at Dromahane 3m ire ptp gd in May beating Candide (11-7) by nk, 11 ran.
Winning Habit 8-11 (12-0) Led 2-5 & 6-9; led 12-14; wknd rap & pu 3 out, in a race won by Timeshift (12-0) at Kingston Blount 3m ptp gd in Mar, 11 ran.
Rocky Creek (IRE) 8-11fav (10-12) Tracked leaders, ridden after 8th, went 2nd 3 out, challenging when not fluent 2 out, edged left flat, stayed on, just held, 2nd of 14, nk behind Allthekingshorses (10-12) at Exeter 2m 5f nov hdl (3) gd in Nov.
