led until before 3 out, outpaced before next, went 3rd and plugged on before last, no impression
held up towards rear, mistake 5th, effort 3 out, soon ridden and weakened, pulled up before next
tracked leaders, went wide before 3rd, lost place next, jumped slowly 6th, weakened after 3 out
tracked leaders, went 2nd 2 out, no impression on winner before last but stayed on and well clear of rest
tracked leader until 2nd, mistake 5th, not fluent 3 out, pressing for 2nd 2 out, soon beaten, one pace
held up in touch, closed 6th, mistake next, ridden and no impression on leaders before last, one pace
tracked leaders, went 2nd 5th, led before 3 out, clear approaching last, stayed on well, comfortably
held up in rear, went wide before 3rd, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out, soon pulled up
A top-class renewal made intriguing by the fact that this trip looks on the sharp side for last year's World Hurdle winner Cole Harden. He had the disappointing WHISPER well behind on his reappearance behind Thistlecrack at Newbury and also when successful at last year's Festival but Nicky Henderson's charge reversed the form at Aintree later and is probably more effective over this sort of trip. He can bounce back to form with stablemate Top Notch stepping up from 2m for the first time. Another Henderson runner, Bobs Worth, won over hurdles at Aintree in November but has since reverted to type over fences in the Hennessy and isn't getting any younger. Virgilio and Lil Rockerfeller have done all their winning in handicaps but Camping Ground has a touch of class and can't be ignored.
Cole Harden (IRE) 2-1 (11-8) Led until narowly headed 8th, pushed along before 3 out, lost 2nd before 2 out, soon no extra, plugged on pressing for 2nd but no chance with winner, 3rd of 5, 6 1/2l behind Thistlecrack (11-4) at Newbury 3m (1) sft in Nov.
Whisper (FR) 6-4fav (11-8) Tracked leader until approaching 5th, chased leading pair, pushed along and no response approaching 3 out, soon beaten, last of 5, 31l behind Thistlecrack (11-4) at Newbury 3m (1) sft in Nov.
Bobs Worth (IRE) 11-2 (11-2) Held up in rear, some headway 9th, struggling 17th, modest 5th run-in, never involved, 6th of 15, 25 1/2l behind Smad Place (11-4) at Newbury 3m 2f hcp (1) sft in Nov.
Lil Rockerfeller (USA) 8-1 (11-11) Chased leader, challenged on outside and edged left approaching 2 out, hung left and led approaching the last, driven and stayed on gamely run-in, won at Sandown 2m hcp lst (1) sft in Dec beating Devilment (11-12) by 2l, 10 ran.
Top Notch (FR) 9-2 (11-7) Tracked leader, led before 5th, headed briefly before last, ridden and kept on under pressure flat, headed towards finish, 2nd of 7, nk behind Identity Thief (11-7) at Newcastle 2m (1) sft in Nov.
Aurore D'estruval (FR) 6-4fav (11-8) Took keen hold, raced wide tracking leading trio, smooth headway on outside before 2 out, led between last 2,driven out, won at Sandown 2m 4f lst (1) sft in Jan beating Dark Spirit (11-0) by 2l, 6 ran.
Camping Ground (FR) 13-2 (11-4) Chased leaders, not fluent 10th, blundered badly and unseated rider next, at Huntingdon 2m 4f (1) gs in Dec.
Virgilio (FR) 5-2fav (11-6) Tracked leaders, took keen hold, challenged 2 out, soon led, ridden clear from last, easily, won at Aintree 2m 4f hcp (2) sft in Dec beating Un Ace (11-12) by 8l, 9 ran.
