mid-division on inside, headway 2 out, challenged between last 2, led narrowly last, ridden and headed narrowly flat, stayed on under pressure to regain lead towards finish, just held on
mid-division, chased leaders 2 out, effort between last 2, went 3rd last, ridden and stayed on flat, no impression with leading pair
led, driven and headed between last 2, one pace approaching last
tracked leaders, effort on outside between last 2, one pace when not fluent last, no impression flat
held up behind, headway on inside 2 out, effort between last 2, no extra approaching last, 4th and held flat
mistake and lost place 1st, soon behind, mistake 4th, struggling 3 out, never dangerous, tailed off
tracked leader, effort to lead betwen last 2, headed narrowly last, ridden to regain lead flat, kept on under pressure, headed narrowly towards finish, just failed
held up behind, outpaced 2 out, riddeen and stayed on to chase leaders flat, no impression
mid-division on outside, lost place 3 out, soon outpaced, weakened from next, tailed off
Aikideau was highly tried in his first season but it was disappointing to see him get turned over at short odds at Plumpton and he may be best watched for now. Balding Banker's second to Molotof at Wincanton was a solid first effort and he can only improve, but DARLAN is held in high regard and can extend his unbeaten record. Nicky Henderson's four-year-old has a penalty to carry for his facile success at Kempton but never came off the bridle that day and could be a very smart novice in the making. Parsnip Pete was second at Huntingdon on his hurdling debut and may prove the pick of the remainder, though Bygones In Brid should prove a lot better than he showed at Ffos Las last month given more time.
Darlan 1-4fav (10-12) Tracked leader, soon tracked leaders in 3rd, left in lead 4 out, clear when not fluent last, easily, won at Kempton 2m NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) gd in Nov beating Sleeping City (10-12) by 6l, 7 ran.
Able Deputy 66-1 (10-7) Held up, headway 3rd, not fluent 5th, outpaced by leaders before 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 5th of 9, 50l behind Prospect Wells (11-5) at Newbury 2m nh nov hdl (3) gs in Nov.
Aikideau (FR) 4-7fav (10-12) Led 1st until 3rd, tracked winner, not fluent 6th, ridden approaching 2 out, no impression last, one pace, 2nd of 9, 8l behind Gleann Eagas (10-12) at Plumpton 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Balding Banker (IRE) 4-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, headway to lead after 3 out, ridden and edged right between last 2, headed approaching last, kept on same pace, no impression with winner flat, 2nd of 14, 3 1/2l behind Molotof (10-12) at Wincanton 2m NH nov hdl 4-6yo (3) gs in Nov.
Bygones In Brid (IRE) 6-5fav (10-12) Mid-division, took keen hold, headway 5th, went 2nd briefly approaching 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 8th of 10, 46l behind Peckhamecho (10-12) at Ffos Las 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Go On Arch (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway from 3 out, pushed along before next, kept on and no impression, 4th of 12, 17l behind Sivola De Sivola (11-5) at Carlisle 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Oct.
High Storm (IRE) 9-4 (11-0) Tracked leader until ridden before 3 out, soon outpaced by leading pair, 4th of 12, 44l behind Top Of The Range (10-11) at Ffos Las 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) sft in Nov.
Parsnip Pete 20-1 (10-12) Keen early in rear, headway to chase leaders 3 out, ridden next, stayed on to chase winner towards finish, 2nd of 11, 1 3/4l behind Cry Of Freedom (10-7) at Huntingdon 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Thecircleoftrust (FR) 12-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders in 4th, soon reminders, left 2nd 4 out, ridden and weakened after 2 out, 3rd of 7, 29l behind Darlan (10-12) at Kempton 2m NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) gd in Nov.