in rear, slow 10th and reminder, some headway 12th, struggling 14th, soon well beaten, pulled up
held up, slow 4th, some headway 11th, ridden next, outpaced 15th, plugged on from 2 out, no impression
chased leaders, lost place 6th, closed 12th, one pace and no impression 3 out
led, headed after 3 out, one pace last, stayed on towards finish, took 3rd close home
towards rear, well beaten from 14th
chased leaders on inside, slow 2nd, challenged 14th, every chance when not fluent 3 out, stayed on one pace flat, lost 3rd close home
always handy, not fluent 12th, led after 3 out, driven out
prominent, reminder 5th and 15th, every chance 3 out, no impression on winner flat, stayed on same pace
in touch in mid-division, outpaced before 3 out, weakened from next
Great Link was last seen racing over hurdles in January but is better over fences these days, though a long absence won't aid his cause. Nortonthorpelegend has only had six runs over fences but has won twice this year, including at Sedgefield last week for which he picks up a penalty. He's young enough to make further progress and should reach the frame while Oscar O'scar won twice earlier this year and was in the process of running well when unseating his rider at Kelso on his return to action this month. VALLEYOFMILAN won over hurdles here last December but is better over fences having won four times including from higher marks than this. He'll be better for his reappearance at Sedgefield and, with his regular rider able to claim 5lb, he looks the one to be on. Iora Glas ran very well when runner-up at Chepstow and started favourite at Towcester next time but made numerous mistakes and never got involved.
Great Link 15-2 (10-13) Led, pushed along before 2 out, soon headed, no extra, 3rd of 10, 12l behind Salmanazar (11-10) at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (3) hvy in Jan.
Valleyofmilan (IRE) 18-1 (10-13) Held up, mid-division, blundered 5 out, soon lost place, 7th of 9, 14 3/4l behind Wyfield Rose (10-11) at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Oscar O'scar (IRE) 10-1 (10-11) Held up towards rear, blundered and unseated rider 9th, at Kelso 2m 6f hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Ueueteotl (FR) 22-1 (11-8) Led until 2 out, 6th and no extra last, 7th of 14, 16l behind Kerrow (11-8) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Lord Brendy 50-1 (11-4) Always towards rear, 8th of 10, dist behind Ballyben (11-1) at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp (3) sft in Oct.
Iora Glas (IRE) 11-10fav (11-2) Led to 3rd, tracked leader, stumbled badly 11th and lost 2nd place, weakened before 2 out, 3rd of 4, dist behind Tanit River (11-8) at Towcester 3m hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Nortonthorpelegend (IRE) 11-4fav (10-13) Prominent, led before 15th, clear before last, kept on well, won at Sedgefield 3m 2f hcp (4) sft in Nov beating Master Rajeem (11-2) by 8l, 10 ran.
Bonzo Bing (IRE) 8-1 (11-7) In rear, tailed off before 4 out, 9th of 12, dist behind Theatre Act (10-4) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Oct.
Dystonia's Revenge (IRE) 18-1 (10-0) Held up, mid-division, headway before 4 out, ridden run-in, kept on same pace, 3rd of 7, 10 1/2l behind Palm Grey (11-6) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Nov.
