led, not fluent 4th, headed before last, kept on same pace, ridden and no impression with winner flat
disputed 2nd, led going well before last, driven readily clear flat, comfortably
held up behind, outpaced after 2 out, weakened before last
raced keenly, disputed 2nd, driven and outpaced between last 2, 3 lengths down in 3rd when pecked and lost place last, no impression flat
held up in 4th, mistake 4th, outpaced between last 2, no impression approaching last
held up in rear, mistake 2 out, soon ridden and outpaced, never able to challenge, weakened before last
held up in 5th, effort between last 2, stayed on to go 3rd last, no impression with leading pair
HINTERLAND is impossible to oppose in this opener as he quickened nicely off a strong pace to win a Grade 2 over C&D last month on his first start for Paul Nicholls when Jackies Solitaire was back in fourth. The third, Secret Edge, won easily next time so the form has a solid look about it. Another French import, Tango De Juilley, has his first run since July but the lightly-raced Canna is interesting as his recent second at Gowran was a big step up on his hurdling debut at Cork and Highly Efficient was a decent sort on the level in Ireland and has now joined a leading NH yard.
Hinterland (FR) 6-4fav (11-6) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 3rd, led 5th, jumped right 3 out, driven flat, ran on well, won at Cheltenham 2m 3yo hdl (1) gs in Nov beating Hollow Tree (11-2) by 3l, 9 ran.
Baby Mix (FR) 7-1 (10-3) 5th of 11, 9l behind Esmondo (10-3) at Auteuil(FR) 1m 7f hdl sft in Mar.
Canna (IRE) 11-4fav (11-0) Soon chased leaders, well off pace, closed 4 out, niggled along in close 3rd before straight, 2nd before 2 out where not entirely fluent and again at last when beaten, kept on same pace run-in, 2nd of 16, 4 1/2l behind Wrekin Rock (10-7) at Gowran Park 2m 3yo mdn hdl sft in Nov.
Highly Efficient 11-2 (8-4) Chased leaders, 2nd halfway, improved to lead and dispute 3f out, ridden and headed 1f out, kept on final furlong, no extra close home, 3rd of 16, 1 1/4l behind Hidden Universe (8-13) at Leopardstown 2m hcp sft in Nov (flat).
Scoglio 15-2 (8-11) Mid-division, ridden 3f out, no impression, 6th of 12, 7l behind Minortransgression (9-1) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-52 (6) fbs in Nov (flat).
Hope Point 9-4 (11-4) Held up in touch, headway 4 out, ridden next, no impression on winner, kept on to go 2nd close home, 2nd of 7, 6l behind So Is She (10-12) at Fakenham 2m Fillies Juvenile Hurdle (3yo) (3) gd in Nov.
Jackies Solitaire 28-1 (10-9) Held up in rear, not always fluent, headway on outside 4th, stayed on same pace from 2 out, 4th of 9, 12l behind Hinterland (11-6) at Cheltenham 2m 3yo hdl (1) gs in Nov.
Tango De Juilley (FR) (10-1) won at Clairefontaine(FR) 2m 1f hdl sft in Jul beating Volcan Surprise (10-1) by 2l, 16 ran.
