towards rear, headway 3 out, ridden next, kept on same pace
led, headed approaching 3rd, tracked leader, ridden 2 out, weakened next
towards rear, ridden 4 out, headway approaching last, stayed on to go 3rd towards finish
towards rear, slow 1st, ridden 4 out, weakened next, hit last
keen in rear, headway approaching 2 out, ridden and kept on one pace
tracked leaders, ridden 2 out, kept on same pace
tracked leader, ridden and every chance 2 out, kept on one pace
close up when not fluent 1st and lost place, in touch, weakened approaching 2 out
close up, jumped left and led 3rd, ridden and headed last, kept on one pace
jumped well, held up, headway 5th, ridden to lead last, edged left and ran on
in touch, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out
It Sure Is produced an eye-catching first run under Rules when second to previous winner Sevarano at Newbury. He was receiving 5lb but is the pick of the two Henderson runners ahead of Beyondthestorm. Bean In Trouble failed to land the odds at Plumpton but was only beaten half-a-length and is another likely improver. Torn And Frayed was just beaten at Warwick in October before finding Listed company too hot at Haydock so also goes on the shortlist but a switch to hurdles should see bumper winner HUGOS OTHER HORSE (NAP) begin to fulfil his potential. Owned by the Stewart family, great supporters of NH racing, he’s a half-brother to three winning jumpers including the brilliant Cue Card.
Bean In Trouble 5-6fav (10-12) Prominent, every chance from 2 out, kept on well under pressure, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind Oscarsman (10-12) at Plumpton 2m 5f mdn (4) sft in Dec.
Beyondthestorm (IRE) 11-4 (11-0) Tracked leaders, driven and outpaced when hit 3 out, stayed on into modest 4th before last, no chance with leaders, 4th of 16, 25l behind The Big Breakaway (11-0) at Chepstow 2m 3f mdn (5) sft in Nov.
Butterwick Brook (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, ridden 3 out, stayed on same pace, no chance with winner, 4th of 13, 23 1/4l behind Eritage (10-12) at Taunton 2m (4) gs in Nov.
Friends Don't Ask 16-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway entering straight, soon chasing leaders, hung left from 2f out, kept on in modest 3rd inside final furlong, 3rd of 11, 3 3/4l behind Wayfinder (10-12) at Worcester 2m mdn (5) gs in Oct.
Full Back (FR) 7-2 (11-11) Ww in rr, mod 9th frm 5th, prog aftr 4out, cl 3rd 3out, 3l 2nd 2out, clsr bef last, ev ch flat, no ex cl hm, 2nd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Lets Go Champ (11-11) at Bartlemy 3m mdn gd in May.
Hugos Other Horse 8-1 (11-0) Held up mid-division, driven to chase leaders turning, never going pace to get on terms, ridden and weakened final furlong, 6th of 8, 13 1/4l behind Israel Champ (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m lst (1) sft in Nov.
It Sure Is (IRE) 7-2 (10-12) In touch, pushed along before 3 out, left in modest 3rd 2 out, went 2nd and kept on same pace under pressure run-in, 2nd of 11, 2l behind Sevarano (11-3) at Newbury 2m 5f (3) gs in Nov.
Pure Country 3-1jfav (9-9) Chased leaders, under pressure over 4f out, never a threat, 4th of 9, 13 1/4l behind Noble Expression (9-7) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcp (5) pol in Jan.
Torn And Frayed (FR) 7-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, blundered 3 out, soon lost place, well held when not fluent next, 5th of 7, 11 3/4l behind Thebannerkingrebel (11-0) at Haydock 2m lst (1) gs in Nov.
Whatsupwithyou (IRE) Evens (12-2) Mid-div, 5th 1/2way, cl 3rd aftr 4out, prog to 2nd 2out, jnd ldr bef last, wo & qckly 2l adv when left clr at last, won at Tyrella 3m mdn gf in Jan beating September Venture (11-11) by dist, 9 ran.
Zhiguli (IRE) 66-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, outpaced well over 3f out, rallied over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 13, 24l behind Soaring Glory (11-4) at Ascot 2m (4) sft in Nov.