tracked leaders, went 2nd 4 out, upsides and every chance when mistake 2 out, soon ridden, no impression in 3rd between last 2, weakened from last
led, ridden and headed between last 2, no chance with winner before last, lost 2nd flat
chased leaders to 4 out, soon ridden and weakened, tailed off
tracked winner, lost place 4 out, weakened from next, tailed off
mid-division, outpaced in modest 4th after 3 out, stayed on under pressure before last, went 2nd flat, no chance with winner
held up behind, mistake 5th, soon struggling, tailed off when jumped slowly 3 out
held up behind, struggling 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off
tracked leaders on outside, headway into 3rd 4 out, challenged 2 out, ridden to lead between last 2, clear last, pushed out
Honey Pound ran below par when upped in class at Cheltenham having landed a double before that. He should do better in this company but WILBERDRAGON (NAP) is just preferred. The Ascot bumper winner lost his chance with a blunder at the same track on his hurdling bow but a clear round should see him go close today. Court Dismissed makes his hurdling debut and could prove best of the rest given the likes of General Montgomery and Turkey Creek were both well beaten on their respective debuts over timber.
Honey Pound (IRE) 20-1 (11-10) Led, not fluent 4 out, headed before 3 out, weakened approaching next, 14th of 19, well behind Chesterfield (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m nov hcp hdl (3) sft in Nov.
Court Dismissed (IRE) 13-8fav (11-0) Held up in rear, pushed long over 3f out, soon headway, kept on and no impression, 3rd of 7, 13l behind Bronco Billy (11-0) at Carlisle 2m 1f NH flat (6) sft in Nov.
Earl The Pearl 100-1 (10-12) Mid-division, outpaced 3 out, never near leaders, 13th of 18, 40l behind Glingerburn (10-12) at Doncaster 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
General Montgomery (IRE) 40-1 (11-0) Raced keenly, with leader, led 4th, headed soon after 3 out, weakened soon after, 5th of 6, 24l behind Jolly's Cracked It (11-5) at Ascot 2m hdl (3) sft in Nov.
Grande Antarctique (FR) 20-1 (10-12) Chasing winner when swerved left and unseated rider 1st, in a race won by Battle Born (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) gs in Oct, 6 ran.
Red Hott Robbie 50-1 (10-11) Prominent, took keen hold, ridden and outpaced over 2f out, well beaten over 1f out, 6th of 8, 15l behind Joe Farrell (11-4) at Huntingdon 1m 6f NH flat (6) sft in Nov.
Turkey Creek (IRE) 40-1 (10-12) Held up behind, some headway into mid-division 3 out, weakened next, 12th of 18, 38l behind Glingerburn (10-12) at Doncaster 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Wilberdragon 8-1 (11-0) Held up in last pair, headway into 3rd well before 2 out, blundered badly and lost 3rd 2 out, not recover, 4th of 6, 12l behind Jolly's Cracked It (11-5) at Ascot 2m hdl (3) sft in Nov.
