went 2nd at 4th, ridden to lead after 3 out, headed 2 out, kept on
held up, headway 4th, ridden to lead 2 out, stayed on well
tracked leaders, ridden and mistake 6th, soon weakened and eased
held up, ridden after 4th, weakened 6th, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
in touch, ridden approaching 3 out, went 3rd at last, kept on one-paced
keen, chased leader, led and jumped right from 3rd, ridden and headed after 3 out, weakened next
always behind, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
keen hold, jumped right, led to 3rd, weakened after next
In this field of newcomers to hurdles, Trinket gets the TEAMtalk vote. After winning a bumper at Worcester in May, he made a solid hurdling debut on his reappearance at Uttoxeter on 8 November. Mark Bradburne produced him late, but he couldn't catch Martin Pipe's The Biker and had to take second place. He will have learnt a great deal on his initiation and should take this opportunity to score under Mark Bradburne, who has been in winning form recently. Of the remainder, Onassis catches the eye. Oliver Sherwood has hit a purple patch of late, sending out for winners from six runners. Onassis finished third to Phar From Frosty on his racing debut in a Ludlow bumper on 14 November and it's worth gambling that he'll make a good debut over hurdles. Cyindien also has an each-way chance. This Venetia Williams-trained five-year-old was second on its hurdling debut at Folkestone on 5 November, beaten just a length by Camdenation. Thatcher rock, from Jonjo O'Neill's yard, finished sixth on its hurdles debut at Exeter in March, and makes its reappearance in this race. Its stablemates are in good form, so look out for a better performance from this newcomer. Meanwhile, Alan King's Ever Present made a promising bumper debut at Plumpton earlier this month and should be watched for further improvement.
