chased leading trio, went 3rd after 7th until 4 out, weakened and mistake next, soon beaten, tailed off
chased leader, led 3 out, pressed next, mistake and stumbled last, soon headed and stayed on same pace flat
held up in 5th, headway to 3rd 4 out, ridden and went 2nd well before 2 out, challenged from 2 out, upsides last, led soon after, stayed on well, driven out
soon led, headed 3 out, lost 2nd well before and hit 2 out, weakened soon after
held up in 6th, not fluent 2nd, blundered 6th, ridden and struggling after next, behind when blundered 3 out, tailed off
raced wide, chased leading duo, hit 3rd, lost 3rd after 7th, weakened before next, tailed off
took keen hold, held up well in rear, hit 4 out, never a factor, tailed off
held up in last pair, mistake 2nd, hit 7th and driven, struggling when hit 3 out
Tornado Bob's only defeat over hurdles so far came on his debut over a shorter trip at Newbury when runner-up to the useful Kid Cassidy. He's won his last two starts with the minimum of fuss but is taking on stronger opposition today. SONOFVIC's debut win at Chepstow in November has worked out well and, though there's a suspicion he's a chaser in the making and he doesn't hold any fancy entries, he's still preferred to Problema Tic. One of three saddled by Nicky Henderson in this opener, the latter is unbeaten in two runs in bumpers and a couple of starts over hurdles in lesser company but could meet his match today. Synthe Davis and Smart Freddy look the pick of the remainder.
Problema Tic (FR) 10-11fav (11-12) Always prominent, challenged after 5th, not fluent next, not fluent 2 out, led last, shaken up flat, asserted towards finish, won at Market Rasen 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Jan beating Saint Are (11-12) by 1 1/2l, 15 ran.
Tornado Bob (IRE) Evensfav (11-12) Made all, clear approaching last, eased towards finish, won at Leicester 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Jan beating Lord Liath (11-5) by 8l, 8 ran.
Sonofvic (IRE) 10-3fav (11-0) In touch on outside, headway to join leader after 7th, led soon after bypassed 4 out, stayed on well from 2 out, driven out, won at Chepstow 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gs in Nov beating Teaforthree (11-0) by 5l, 15 ran.
Synthe Davis (FR) 15-2 (11-0) Tracked leaders, mistake 3rd, not fluent 5th or when pressing for 2nd 3 out, ridden and demoted to 4th 2 out, weakened approaching last, 4th of 6, 16l behind Banjaxed Girl (11-4) at Sandown 2m 4f mrs hdl (listed) (4yo+) (1) hvy in Jan.
Carabinier (FR) 10-3fav (10-9) With leader, ridden and effort over 2f out, soon weakened, 6th of 11, 17l behind Knight Pass (11-0) at Sandown 2m NH flat (5) gs in Nov.
Smart Freddy 16-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, challenged when not fluent 3 out, ridden and effort after next, kept on same pace, mistake last, no impresion flat, 2nd of 10, 3 1/2l behind Problema Tic (11-5) at Southwell 2m NH mdn hdl (5) gs in Jan.
Suburban Bay 16-1 (11-2) Always behind, tailed off when pulled up 2 out, in a race won by Poungach (11-2) at Ascot 2m 3f NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (3) gs in Jan, 14 ran.
The White Admiral (IRE) 33-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, headway on outer after 5th, weakened after 3 out, 14th of 15, well behind Bobs Worth (11-8) at Cheltenham 2m 4f nh nov hdl (3) gs in Jan.
