made all, pushed clear approaching last, eased comfortable
in rear, pushed along and headway 2 out, never nearer
took keen hold, close up, lost place 3rd, weakened 4 out
close up, pushed along 2 out, kept on same pace
in touch, headway 2 out, ridden to chase clear winner approaching next, kept on one pace
tracked leaders, went 2nd 4th, ridden 2 out, kept on one pace
in touch, pushed along and weakened 3 out
in rear, hampered 4 out, never on terms
tracked leaders, pushed along 3 out, ridden and weakened before last
tracked winner until 4th, tracked leaders, ridden 2 out, weakened run-in
in touch, dropped to rear 4th, weakened 4 out
Chinese Spirit won five times on the Flat but is going hurdling late in life. Neither Livelifetothemax nor Fame Valley were beaten far in the race won by Gentleman De Mai here last month but will need to improve to get close to Lebowski, who made an impressive hurdling debut at Ffos Las, and SAUCE OF LIFE. Nicky Richards’ dual bumper winner just needed the experience when beaten at Wetherby and should be more the finished article now. Tiger Jet was second in a maiden at Sedgefield but could be against a couple of above-average recruits here.
Lebowski (IRE) 5-2fav (10-12) Chased leaders, headway going well over 3 out, led on bridle under 3 out, eased ahead before last, pushed out and quickened clear flat, impressive, won at Ffos Las 2m (4) sft in Nov beating Port Or Starboard (10-12) by 6l, 11 ran.
Bouncing Bobby (IRE) 100-1 (11-4) Held up, ridden and outpaced before 3 out, made no impression, 7th of 15, dist behind Nurse Susan (10-11) at Carlisle 2m 1f mdn (4) gs in Nov.
Chinese Spirit (IRE) 15-2 (8-7) Towards rear, pushed along and switched left 2f out, steady headway 1f out, kept on for modest third close home, 3rd of 12, 3 1/2l behind Clay Regazzoni (9-8) at Musselburgh 1m 1f hcp (5) sft in Oct.
Fame Valley (IRE) 14-1 (10-12) Mid-division, jumped right 4th, struggling 3 out, kept on flat, 5th of 9, 3 1/2l behind Gentleman De Mai (10-12) at Ayr 2m (4) gd in Oct.
Livelifetothemax (IRE) 16-1 (10-11) Chased leaders, jumped left 2nd, ridden before 3 out, kept on flat, 4th of 9, 3 1/2l behind Gentleman De Mai (10-12) at Ayr 2m (4) gd in Oct.
Sauce Of Life (IRE) 8-11fav (10-12) Chased leader, headway on outside 3 out, ridden and outpaced from 2 out, kept on well from last, never a threat to winner, 2nd of 4, 2 3/4l behind Lakota Warrior (10-12) at Wetherby 2m (2) gs in Nov.
Scalloway Bay (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Mid-division, ridden well over 3f out, soon struggling, tailed off, 9th of 10, dist behind Basford (10-13) at Carlisle 2m 1f (5) sft in Oct.
Sorbonne 200-1 (10-12) In rear, pushed along 3 out, mistake 2 out, no impression soon after, 10th of 11, dist behind A Different Kind (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 1f (4) gd in Nov.
The Great Houdini (IRE) 10-1 (10-12) Mid-division, dropped to rear before 5 out, lost touch before 3 out, 8th of 10, dist behind Gredin (10-12) at Carlisle 2m 4f (4) sft in Oct.
Tiger Jet (IRE) 11-2 (11-4) Close up, headway and led going well 2 out, ridden and headed before last, no extra run-in, 2nd of 9, 5 1/2l behind Bold Endeavour (11-4) at Sedgefield 2m 4f mdn (4) gd in Nov.
Memors (IRE) 16-1 (10-7) Keen behind leader, led and clear with circuit to run, reeled in and headed end of back straight, soon weakened, 7th of 8, dist behind Soft Risk (11-0) at Ayr 2m (5) sft in May.
Wee Jam Town 300-1 (10-12) Towards rear, not fluent throughout, pushed along and detached 2 out, last of 7, dist behind Aazza (10-12) at Hexham 2m (4) gs in Nov.
Donna's Double 7-2 (11-4) Held up in touch in mid-division, closed when not fluent 4th, mistake next and 6th, weakened before 3 out, 8th of 10, 31l behind Since Day One (11-4) at Newcastle 2m mdn (4) gs in Nov.
Douglas Talking (IRE) 9-1 (11-4) Raced keenly, tracked leaders, every chance 3 out, beaten 2 out, weakened last, 5th of 10, 19 1/2l behind Since Day One (11-4) at Newcastle 2m mdn (4) gs in Nov.
