held up, ridden 2 out, never troubled leaders
in rear, struggling when unseated rider 2 out
chased leaders, challenged last, no extra close home
in touch, ridden 4th, weakened 2 out
prominent, ridden to lead 2 out, stayed on well flat
led, headed 2 out, weakened last
always in rear
Amir Pasha beat Ancient Times on the Flat last July and finished a couple of lengths ahead of Karmadice when third at over 2m3f here last month. He should be in the firing-line once again, despite the shorter trip, but may find FOLK TUNE too good. The latter went close in similar company at Leicester last time having landed a hat-trick at a lowly level before that and John Quinn's charge can race off the same mark here. Hi Dancer and Lesanda need to find a bit more to figure in the finish but novice hurdle winner City Ground is one to note for any support, despite having failed to complete on his comeback at Huntingdon.
Folk Tune (IRE) 15-2 (11-0) Held up in touch, good headway 3 out, ridden and every chance next, stayed on flat, 3rd of 9, 2 3/4l behind Quiet Whisper (10-12) at Leicester 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gd in Nov.
City Ground (USA) 18-1 (11-7) Held up in last pair in touch, outpaced after 4 out, behind when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Yahrab (11-8) at Huntingdon 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Dec, 6 ran.
Hi Dancer 28-1 (11-1) Held up in touch, chased leaders 4 out, weakened 2 out, 7th of 10, 25l behind Fairynuff (10-9) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Dec.
Lesanda 7-1 (11-10) Tracked early, soon mid-division, chased leaders before 3 out, kept on one pace from next, 4th of 9, 9l behind Bob's Dream (11-7) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Dec.
Amir Pasha (UAE) 10-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, went 2nd after 3 out, ridden before and upsides winner last, kept on and held towards finish, 2nd of 17, 1 1/4l behind Sambelucky (10-4) at Catterick 2m 3f am hcp hdl 0-100 (5) sft in Dec.
Karmadice 14-1 (11-3) Held up mid-division, headway to lead 6th, pressed 2 out, headed last, no extra, 3rd of 17, 3 1/2l behind Sambelucky (10-4) at Catterick 2m 3f am hcp hdl 0-100 (5) sft in Dec.
Ancient Times (USA) 12-1 (11-12) won at Alnwick 2m 4f ptp sft in Dec beating Gin Cobbler (12-5) by 7l, 13 ran.