tracked leaders on inside, blundered 14th, challenged 3 out, soon ridden, outpaced when switched outside next, stayed on to chase winner last, held flat
led to 6th, in touch, hit next, lost place after 11th, in rear when hit 13th, pulled up before next
tracked leaders, lost place before 12th, soon struggling, tailed off when pulled up after 4 out
not fluent 2nd, pressed leader, led 6th, headed narrowly 5 out, ridden after next, lost place before 3 out, weakened next
tracked leaders on outside, led narrowly 5 out, mistake next, headed 2 out, kept on same pace, ridden and no impression with front pair from last
held up in rear, headway 14th, unable to go with leaders when not fluent 4 out, soon lost touch, no danger after
held up in touch, close up on outside 12th, challenged 3 out, led next, ridden last, stayed on well
VERY FIRST TIME (NAP) transferred from Tim Easterby in the summer and was having just his third start for Dan Skelton when scooting away over 3m on heavy going at Southwell. He has a penalty to carry but should be up to it and can take care of One Forty Seven. Nigel Twiston-Davies' charge gained the third victory of his career over fences at Stratford last month and though that was over 2m5f he's better at this trip and should make a bold bid to defy a 5lb rise. Jack Devine has only run twice over fences and shown nothing but he's won three times over hurdles and the same number between the flags so should be back to winning ways soon. Templehills was competing in much stronger company last winter though prospective punters would need to forgive a poor run at Newbury a couple of weeks ago while Mr Mafia, who had been in excellent form on good ground during the summer, couldn't handle softer ground and better company at Cheltenham.
Jack Devine (IRE) 15-8fav (11-0) In touch in rear, hit 7th, tracked leaders after next, pushed along 12th, hit next, soon ridden, left modest 4th when hampered 5 out, continued tailed off, 4th of 5, dist behind Duke Debarry (11-0) at Catterick 3m 1f (4) gd in Jan.
Templehills (IRE) 16-1 (11-9) Chased leaders on inside, jumped slowly and weakened 12th, last of 11, 18l behind Azzerti (11-12) at Newbury 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Mr Mafia (IRE) 14-1 (12-0) With leader, led 3rd to 5th, remained prominent, lost place 12th, behind from next, tailed off 4 out, soon pulled up, at Cheltenham 3m 1f hcp (3) gs in Oct.
One Forty Seven (IRE) 9-2 (11-11) Chased leader, led 4th, made rest, clear 2 out, stayed on well, won at Stratford 2m 5f hcp (4) sft in Oct beating Native Robin (11-9) by 5l, 8 ran.
Knockrobin (IRE) 16-1 (10-11) Chased leaders, weakened from 2 out, 7th of 10, dist behind Two For Gold (11-5) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Manwell (IRE) 25-1 (11-10) In rear, mistake 1st, never a factor, 6th of 9, dist behind Kapgarry (11-4) at Wetherby 2m 3f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Very First Time 8-11fav (11-12) Tracked leader, not fluent 7th, led 12th, went clear before 3 out, shaken up before last, stayed on well, eased towards finish, won at Southwell 3m hcp (4) hvy in Nov beating Sartene's Son (11-5) by 13l, 7 ran.
