led, driven and headed before 2 out, soon ridden and one pace, no chance with clear trio between last 2
chased leaders on outside, driven after 4 out, weakened before 2 out
tracked leaders, challenged when hit 3 out, led narrowly before next, ridden and headed between last 2, kept on but no match for winner flat
mid-division, chased leaders after 4 out, ridden after next, went 3rd 2 out, kept on same pace, no impression with front pair from last
prominent, pushed along and lost place after 5 out, soon behind, tailed off
tracked leaders on inside, switched left to challenge before 2 out, led between last 2, ridden and stayed on well towards stands side rail flat
held up, always towards rear, outpaced from 3 out
towards rear most of way, struggling 6th, soon lost touch, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, headway and in touch on outside after 4 out, outpaced next, soon beaten
took keen hold, held up in rear, struggling before 4 out, tailed off next
GARRETTSTOWN made his hurdling debut in a tougher race at Newbury last month and was well beaten. But he won a bumper in testing ground earlier this year and much better is expected today with Richard Johnson staying loyal. Hitman Fred showed major improvement when third over timber at Hexham during the week while dual bumper winner Paper Promise is preferred to Huntsmans Jog as both go hurdling for the first time. Maiden point-to-point winner The Con Man has joined Donald McCain’s yard and is worth a second glance on his debut under Rules.
Ain't My Fault (IRE) 15-2 (11-0) Led, not fluent 5th, headed approaching last, soon lost place, 5th of 13, 17 1/2l behind Glen Roe (11-0) at Hexham 2m 4f mdn (5) gs in Oct.
Blaydon (IRE) 50-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway after 4 out, never on terms, 5th of 9, 21 1/2l behind Bobbie The Dazzler (10-7) at Ayr 2m 4f mdn (5) hvy in Nov.
Garrettstown (IRE) 7-2 (10-12) Raced wide on mid-division, weakened before last, 6th of 16, 14 3/4l behind Ecu De La Noverie (10-12) at Newbury 2m (4) gs in Nov.
Huntsmans Jog (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Mid-division, driven halfway, headway over 2f out, kept on into 4th, never nearer, 4th of 11, 7 1/2l behind I K Brunel (11-0) at Carlisle 2m 1f (5) sft in Nov.
Salven 4-1 (12-2) Ld, jnd brfly 7th, jnd bef 4out & disp until rdn in 2nd bef 3out, wknd aftr 3out, bhnd when pu bef last, at Dromahane 3m mdn sft in Apr.
The Con Man (IRE) 4-5 (12-2) Mid-div, clsr 6th, left ld aftr 8th, disputing ld aftr 3out, qcknd clr from 2out, in command by last, easily, won at Monksgrange 3m mdn hvy in Apr beating Old Rascals (12-2) by 6l, 10 ran.
The Sting (IRE) 150-1 (11-0) Held up, headway over 2f out, never on terms, 5th of 11, 8 1/2l behind I K Brunel (11-0) at Carlisle 2m 1f (5) sft in Nov.
Cushy Butterfield (IRE) 200-1 (10-5) Always towards rear, tailed off, pulled up before last, at Hexham 2m 4f (4) sft in Nov.
Paper Promise (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Held up mid-division, ridden over 1f out one pace, 7th of 20, 6 1/4l behind Getaway Katie Mai (11-0) at Aintree 2m 1f (1) sft in Apr.
Terminal One (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Keen and always in rear, weakened 4 out, tailed off, last of 6, dist behind Archview Sunshine (10-12) at Newcastle 2m 5f mdn (5) gd in Nov.
Hitman Fred (IRE) 7-1 (10-12) Mid-division, in 4th before 3 out, not fluent 2 out, weakened before last, 5th of 10, 24 3/4l behind Nadaitak (10-12) at Doncaster 2m 5f (4) gd in Nov.