chased front pair, lost touch before 9th, not fluent next, soon well behind
always last, behind from 6th
led, not fluent 3rd, headed before not fluent next, chased winner after, mistake 11th, jumped right and not fluent 12th, hit 4 out, mistake and no impression 3 out
raced freely, jumped well, tracked leader, led before 4th, clear from 3 out, impressive
NonRunner
Jovial Joey finished runner-up three times in succession over hurdles in the spring but has run poorly when stepped up slightly in class in recent weeks. Work In Progress, twice a winner over hurdles last winter, has competed at a high level over hurdles in his last two starts and should do well over the bigger obstacles. Ascot De Bruyere ran poorly at Sedgefield after a very good run there previously but LAISSEZ DIRE is a very interesting entry as the dual French hurdles winner is only four and gets the age allowance. His victories were gained on heavy going but Barry Geraghty comes over for the one ride and the J P McManus-owned youngster can make a successful start. Lyvius was a close second in a Grade 2 Handicap Hurdle at Ascot in January 2015 but hasn't been seen since April of that year and Miami Present makes his debut over fences, though is bred for the job.
Jovial Joey (IRE) 16-1 (11-7) Mistake 1st, held up, behind, headway 7th, soon tracked leaders, driven and outpaced before 2 out, weakened last, tailed off, 6th of 10, dist behind Bourne (11-0) at Carlisle 3m 1f hcp (4) gs in Oct.
Miami Present (IRE) 18-1 (11-1) In rear, headway 3 out, ridden to chase winner approaching last, gaining near finish, 2nd of 11, 1l behind Throthethatch (11-3) at Fakenham 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Work In Progress (IRE) 15-8fav (11-12) Led, headed after 4 out, soon pushed along, weakened from 2 out, 6th of 8, 19l behind Space Ship (10-11) at Ayr 2m hcp (2) gs in Oct.
Laissez Dire (FR) (10-5) 4th of 6, 26l behind Device (10-12) at Auteuil 2m 2f sft in Mar.
Ascot De Bruyere (FR) 7-2 (11-5) Close up, pushed along before 11th, weakened from 13th, 3rd of 10, 18l behind Drumlee Lad (11-1) at Sedgefield 2m 3f hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Lyvius 33-1 (11-7) Mid-division, in touch on outside after 5th, effort 3 out, lost place next, weakened before last, 12th of 21, 32l behind Theinval (11-7) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp (1) gs in Apr.
