in touch, led on bit approaching 3 out, ran on well, eased towards finish
held up mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, ridden to chase winner approaching last, kept on, no impression
mid-division, ridden approaching 3 out, soon beaten
tracked leaders, one pace from 2 out
behind, headway 6th, ridden and weakened after 3 out
mid-division, mistake 6th, weakened after 4 out, tailed off
chased leaders, went 2nd 3 out, weakened approaching last
held up, headway after 3 out, weakened approaching last
always behind, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
tracked leader and keen, weakened after 3 out
in touch, ridden and blundered 2 out, soon weakened
soon chasing leaders, weakened approaching 3 out
led, headed approaching 3 out, weakened next
held up, headway 6th, ridden 3 out, weakened approaching last
In the opener, Two Miles West just gets the vote ahead of Nikola. Sixth in the Irish St Leger and a Listed winner on the Flat, Two Miles West won on his hurdling debut at Wetherby and then ran a fine race to finish third to Boychuk in a Grade 2 event at Cheltenham last time. That form makes him the one to beat here although Nikola split very good types in Straw Bear and Acambo at Leicester on his British debut, form that should make him give the selection plenty to to think about. Turning to the others, Ayr maiden hurdle winner Regal Heights is entitled to some thought for a place, while, from a decent family, Red Poker is respected based on his Hexham bumper win, but given his purchase price Ebac has been disappointing in three runs. Boulders Beach improved to finish second at Newcastle last time, but the form is run-of-the-mill. Finally, dual seven-furlong Flat winner Secret Pact is not an obvious candidate on breeding on his hurdling debut and Silent Bay showed promise in a bumper last time; however, the vote stays with Two Miles West.
Regal Heights (IRE) 12-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders, ridden 4 out, ran on to lead flat, won at Ayr 2m mdn hdl (4) hvy in Jan beating Auenmoon (11-4) by 1l, 18 ran.
Two Miles West (IRE) 7-2 (11-7) Chased leaders, ridden 3 out, mistake next, challenged, went left, mistake last, no extra flat, 3rd of 10, 4 1/2l behind Boychuk (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m nov hdl Grd 2 (A) gs in Nov.
Boulders Beach (IRE) 50-1 (11-5) In touch, hit 2nd, ridden after 4 out, every chance 2 out, kept on from last, 2nd of 15, 2 1/2l behind Etched In Stone (11-5) at Newcastle 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Easby Mandarin 100-1 (10-12) Mid-division, hit 5th, ridden after next, weakened 3 out, 7th of 18, 20l behind Fier Normand (10-12) at Bangor 2m 1f nh nov hdl (E) hvy in Dec.
Ebac (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, ridden halfway, ridden and mistake last, one pace flat, 3rd of 13, 15l behind Masafi (10-12) at Musselburgh 2m nov hdl (E) gf in Dec.
Nikola (FR) 20-1 (11-5) Prominent, every chance approaching 3 out, stayed on well towards finish, 2nd of 22, 7l behind Straw Bear (11-5) at Leicester 2m nov hdl (3) sft in Jan.
Red Poker 3-1 (11-4) Made all, stayed on strongly final 2f, won at Hexham 2m nhf (H) gs in Nov beating My Final Bid (11-1) by 2l, 11 ran.
Rothbury 9-2 (11-1) Tracked leaders until saddle slipped halfway, led until headed 3 out, ridden and kept on, 4th of 13, 4l behind Rocca's Boy (10-2) at Musselburgh 2m nhf (6) gd in Jan.
