mid-division, headway 3 out, never on terms
tracked leaders, lost place before 4 out
held up in touch, headway 4 out, chased leaders next, led approaching last, ran on strongly
mid-division, hampered 1st and 3rd, headway 3 out, soon under pressure, never a threat
always in rear, under pressure 5 out, pulled up before 3 out
mid-division, jumped right 3rd, headway to chase leaders 4 out, weakened before last
mid-division when blundered badly 1st, soon behind, never dangerous
led until approaching 3 out, rallied next, stayed on under pressure closing stages
pulled hard tracking leaders, weakened before 3 out
mid-division, weakened 4 out
mid-division, headway 4 out, soon chasing leaders, led 2 out, soon headed, no extra after last
always prominent, jumped right 2nd, led before 3 out, headed next, under pressure when blundered last, kept on, no chance with winner
Dashing Oscar went close in similar company over these hurdles just over a year ago now. But a couple of these have more recent form over timber including Starlight Court. He was fourth over a longer trip at Worcester on his return to action. But CHILLI ROMANCE was runner-up at Stratford last month when unable to prevent Artifice Sivola from landing a double and Fergal O’Brien’s mare should make another bold bid. Cheque En Blanc and Drumcliff are bumper winners while Hubertas ran to a decent level on the Flat and makes his hurdling debut.
Alfred Roller (IRE) 7-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, pushed along halfway, weakened over 3f out, last of 8, dist behind Dubai Angel (11-0) at Carlisle 2m 1f (6) sft in Oct.
Bodyswerve (IRE) 12-1 (11-10) Held up, mid-division, weakened over 2f out, 11th of 14, 28 1/4l behind Monty's Award (11-10) at Worcester 2m (5) gd in Oct.
Cheque En Blanc (FR) 100-1 (10-12) Mid-division, ridden and lost place halfway, soon behind, tailed off 6f out, eventually completed, last of 17, dist behind Bacardys (11-4) at Aintree 2m 1f (1) gs in Apr.
Conteur d'Histoire (FR) 100-1 (10-12) Always behind, tailed off 4 out, 6th of 11, dist behind Keep In Line (11-5) at Bangor 2m 1f (4) gd in Oct.
Dashing Oscar (IRE) 9-4fav (11-4) With leaders, chased winner before 3 out, weakened before last, 17th of 18, dist behind Cyrius Moriviere (11-10) at Doncaster 2m 1f (4) gs in Jan.
Drumcliff (IRE) 33-1 (11-4) In rear, not fluent 1st and 2nd, 8th halfway, pushed along and no impression approaching 2 out, no extra, last of 8, 21l behind Sutton Place (11-4) at Fairyhouse 2m (1) Yielding - Soft in Mar.
Heat Storm (IRE) 11-1 (8-12) Raced wide, held up, headway to lead over 8f out, switched to race on rail 6f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 12th of 13, 19 3/4l behind Chestnut Storm (9-1) at Yarmouth 1m 3f hcp (6) sft in Oct.
Hubertas 11-8fav (9-10) Carried right start, held up in rear, driven over 4f out, switched left and headway over 1f out, went 3rd inside final furlong, unable to challenge, 3rd of 7, 1 3/4l behind Card High (8-8) at Catterick 1m 4f hcp (2) gd in Sep.
I'm A Game Changer (IRE) 3-1 (10-12) Keen tracking leaders, pushed along and strugggling in 7th 5f out, eased when no chance final 2f, tailed off, 8th of 11, dist behind Capitaine (10-12) at Wincanton 1m 7f (6) gs in Apr.
Invincible Wish (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) Led, clear from 5th, headed before 2 out, soon weakened, 5th of 11, 32 1/4l behind Keep In Line (11-5) at Bangor 2m 1f (4) gd in Oct.
Know Your Name 50-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, weakened from 5th, 4th of 11, 29l behind Keep In Line (11-5) at Bangor 2m 1f (4) gd in Oct.
Oriental Fixer (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Went right start, took keen hold and soon in mid-division, lost place before 4th, plugging on when slightly hampered last, 5th of 12, 35 1/2l behind Peter The Mayo Man (11-5) at Warwick 2m (4) gd in Sep.
Starlight Court (IRE) 3-1 (11-0) Behind and keen, headway 3 out, challenged 2 out, every chance and not fluent last, weakened towards finish, 4th of 8, 7 1/4l behind Hey Bill (11-0) at Worcester 2m 4f mdn (5) gd in Oct.
Chilli Romance (IRE) 15-2 (10-5) Prominent, keen early, ridden to challenge after 2 out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 4, 4 1/2l behind Artifice Sivola (10-12) at Stratford 2m (3) gd in Oct.
