tracked leaders, blundered 2nd and 5th, chased leader briefly 3 out, weakened next, tailed off
never better than mid-division, behind from 5th, no danger after, tailed off 2 out
tracked leaders, mistake 4th, lost place quickly after next, behind when pulled up before 6th
made most, clear after 3rd, mistake 5th, hit 4 out, reduced advantage approaching 2 out, soon ridden and hard pressed, headed narrowly flat, kept on
held up in rear, struggling 4 out, tailed off next, soon pulled up
chased leaders to 6th, outpaced 3 out, never able to get back on terms, left modest 4th 2 out
disputed lead to after 3rd, chased clear leader, lost place 3 out, soon outpaced, left modest 3rd 2 out, no chance with clear pair
mid-division, not fluent 4th, headway on outside 3 out, soon chased winner, close up in 3rd when mistake and unseated rider next
held up behind, headway under pressure after 3 out, went close 2nd approaching next, soon challenged, upsides last, ridden to lead narrowly flat, held on
QUART DE GARDE missed an engagement at Market Rasen on Boxing Day and this looks easier. The latter placed over fences when trained in France and, having recently switched to Donald McCain’s yard, he gets the vote fitted with a hood reverting to hurdles. Zulu Dawn faced a tougher task at Newbury on his hurdling bow and should finish closer while Who's In The Box is another likely improver with last month’s hurdling debut under his belt. The Black Squirrel has placed over timber in the past and Carys' Commodity has undergone wind surgery since finishing fourth in a bumper at Newbury.
Carys' Commodity 11-1 (11-0) Held up in touch, chance 2f out, ridden and no extra final furlong, 4th of 13, 6 1/4l behind Son Of Camas (11-0) at Newbury 2m (5) gs in Nov.
Master Newton (IRE) 28-1 (11-0) Took keen hold, prominent, lost place before 3rd, slow next, not fluent and behind 5th, 5th of 7, dist behind Calle Malva (10-7) at Hexham 2m 4f mdn (4) hvy in Dec.
Orburstock (IRE) 11-1 (10-12) Prominent, lost place over 4f out, soon weakened, 9th of 11, dist behind Holly James (11-2) at Kelso 2m (5) gd in May.
Quart De Garde (FR) (10-7) 2nd of 7, 4l behind Red Risk (10-7) at Auteuil 2m 1f hvy in Sep.
Rip Van Go 50-1 (8-7) In touch, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on same pace, 6th of 13, 7 1/2l behind Pantomime (8-7) at Wetherby 2m hcp (6) gf in Jun.
The Black Squirrel (IRE) 12-1 (12-3) Prominent, joined leaders 5 out, lost place after next, behind when pulled up before 2 out, at Newcastle 2m hcp (5) sft in Dec.
Who's In The Box (IRE) 14-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, lost place 6th, pushed along in 5th before 3 out, plugged on in modest 3rd run-in, 3rd of 10, 13l behind Oscar Robertson (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 4f (4) sft in Nov.
Zulu Dawn (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Towards rear when slightly hampered 3 out, plugging on when left modest 4th 2 out, weakened into 5th run-in, 5th of 11, 14 3/4l behind Sevarano (11-3) at Newbury 2m 5f (3) gs in Nov.
Coup De Gold (IRE) 100-1 (9-5) Dwelt took keen hold towards rear, rapid headway to track leader over 4f out, led 3f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, soon weakened, 8th of 13, 5 1/2l behind Bravantina (8-8) at Newcastle 2m hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Crow Stone 100-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, beaten 4 out, tailed off when pulled up before last, at Sedgefield 2m 1f mdn (4) sft in Dec.
Frau Georgia (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, headway after 3 out, soon no impression, 7th of 13, 18 1/4l behind Kissesforkatie (10-12) at Wincanton 2m 5f mdn (4) gs in Dec.
