held up towards rear, ridden after 3 out, headway approaching 2 out, outpaced before last, not clear run and switched left soon after last, stayed on flat, went 3rd final 100 yards
tracked leader to approaching 5th, remained prominent, ridden after 3 out, stayed on under pressure to take 2nd last, kept on flat, unable to peg back winner
chased leaders, went 2nd approaching 5th, led before 3 out, not fluent 2 out, headed when not fluent last, one pace flat, no extra towards finish
held up in rear, not fluent 6th or 9th, headway 2 out, untidy last, edged right flat, weakened final 100 yards
held up in 5th, improved after 6th, went 2nd after 3 out, led approaching last, driven out
led until approaching 3 out, weakened after 3 out, tailed off
chased leaders, 2nd briefly 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, tailed off
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
The top competitive action continues with this Handicap Hurdle over three miles in which LYSANDER holds some really strong form lines and is just preferred ahead of heavy ground winner Pagan Starprincess while Pancake might have conditions to suit and might find some place money. The pick's performance when third behind Diamond Harry in a listed race last time looks good and was further boosted with the second-placed animal going on to score. This is an easier assignment and he's only three pounds worse off than his win over fences two starts back. Pagan Starprincess may handle these conditions better than most and still looks fairly treated after her neck success over a shorter trip but she has stayed about this far in the past. Pancake has the ability to surprise and tends to go well on this ground so should be considered for each-way bets while Time For Rupert and Made In Japan also have solid claims based on recent efforts.
Made In Japan (JPN) 16-1 (9-11) In touch in mid-division, headway to chase leaders 4 out, ridden to challenge last, kept on into 2nd flat, not reach winner, 2nd of 15, 1 3/4l behind Time For Rupert (11-7) at Cheltenham 3m Handicap Hurdle (0-155) (4yo+) (2) sft in Dec.
Balthazar King (IRE) 11-2 (11-0) In touch, ridden approaching 3 out, weakening when jumped left last, 4th of 18, 14l behind Lie Forrit (11-8) at Newbury 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gs in Nov.
Lysander (GER) 14-1 (9-9) Held up mid-division, chased leaders 4 out, one pace from 2 out, 3rd of 16, 7l behind Diamond Harry (11-12) at Haydock 3m 1f listed hcp hdl (1) sft in Nov.
Rathcor 14-1 (10-0) Always towards rear, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Diamond Harry (11-12) at Haydock 3m 1f listed hcp hdl (1) sft in Nov, 16 ran.
Wolf Moon (IRE) 4-1 (10-0) In touch in midfield, pushed along on inside and trying to challenge when blundered badly 2 out, not recover, 8th of 15, 17l behind Time For Rupert (11-7) at Cheltenham 3m Handicap Hurdle (0-155) (4yo+) (2) sft in Dec.
Antonius Caesar (FR) 14-1 (11-6) Held up mid-division, lost place 7th, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Silver By Nature (11-0) at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Nov, 14 ran.
Time For Rupert (IRE) 16-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, under pressure 2 out, stayed on after and soon challenging, led last, stayed on well, driven out, won at Cheltenham 3m Handicap Hurdle (0-155) (4yo+) (2) sft in Dec beating Made In Japan (9-11) by 1 3/4l, 15 ran.
Trenchant 20-1 (11-12) In touch in mid-division, ridden on left under pressure, weakened before last, 5th of 15, 7l behind Time For Rupert (11-7) at Cheltenham 3m Handicap Hurdle (0-155) (4yo+) (2) sft in Dec.
Souffleur 40-1 (11-5) Ridden and mistake 8th, always behind, 14th of 15, 49l behind Time For Rupert (11-7) at Cheltenham 3m Handicap Hurdle (0-155) (4yo+) (2) sft in Dec.
Ainama (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, not fluent 4th, lost place when not fluent 8th, closed approaching 2 out, no impression when mistake last, 5th of 18, 15l behind Lie Forrit (11-8) at Newbury 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gs in Nov.
Over The Creek 16-1 (10-5) Always behind, tailed off before 3 out, 8th of 10, well behind Ballyfitz (11-1) at Sandown 2m 6f hcp hdl (2) hvy in Dec.
Buena Vista (IRE) 16-1 (10-9) Held up in rear, mistake 5th, pushed along 7th, behind when hit 4 out, 11th of 15, 26l behind Time For Rupert (11-7) at Cheltenham 3m Handicap Hurdle (0-155) (4yo+) (2) sft in Dec.
Pagan Starprincess 8-1 (11-6) Held up, headway halfway, led 2 out, driven out, won at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) hvy in Dec beating Terenzium (10-8) by nk, 10 ran.
My Friend Sandy 9-1 (11-3) Keen early, in touch, ridden and hanging left after 3 out, led last, all out towards finish, just held on, won at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) hvy in Nov beating Magnifico (11-0) by nk, 9 ran.
