chased leaders, went 2nd after 3 out, led 2 out, clear before last, ridden and stayed on strongly run-in
chased leader, led 3rd, ridden soon after 3 out, driven and headed 2 out, weakened soon after
chased leaders, every chance 2 out, weakened between last 2
led to 3rd, chased leader until after 2 out, weakened and mistake last
held up towards rear, last and outpaced 3 out, headway under pressure approaching last, stayed on run-in but never a threat
held up towards rear, pushed along approaching 3 out, headway approaching last, stayed on into 4th soon after last, kept on
held up in mid-division, headway to chase leaders approaching 2 out, ridden and weakened soon after
in touch, headway to 3rd, after 2 out, stayed on same pace approaching last
held up in rear, mistake 3 out, headway approaching 2 out, ridden and beaten soon after
behind, headway 3 out, chased winner after 2 out, ridden before last, stayed on for clear 2nd but no chance with winner
behind, not fluent 3 out, some headway approaching next, soon beaten
Yetholm looks the pick of the two runners trained by Philip Hobbs over Clova Island but SPIRIT RIVER is unexposed after just the one start for Nicky Henderson since coming from France and gets the vote with the main danger rated as Leamington Lad. The six-year-old has shown improved form with each start for Nigel Twiston-Davies this season and was good value for his win at Ludlow on his latest start in October but the softer ground today is a slight concern and he may be best watched. Bureaucrat has been running consistently well but is likely to have to settle for a place at best off his current mark, while Still At Lunch has harshly gone up 8lbs for his win at Musselburgh last month. Jim Best's Calzaghe has missed several engagements but he has trip and ground conditions to suit and has to be considered with Tony McCoy booked for the ride. Preference though is for Nicky Henderson's Spirit River, who should come on for his first start for the stable at Newbury last month, and he looks worth siding with to give weight away all round.
Spirit River (FR) 9-1 (11-4) Mid-division, outpaced 3 out, headway approaching last, kept on run-in, 5th of 12, 5l behind Get Me Out Of Here (11-4) at Newbury 2m Conditional Handicap Hurdle (0-130) (4yo+) (3) sft in Nov.
Leamington Lad (IRE) 15-2 (11-2) Led, jumped right and bumped 2nd, headed next, mostly chased leader to 8th, reminder after next, 2nd again before 4 out, challenged 3 out, led 2 out, driven clear after last, won at Ludlow 2m beg chs (4) gd in Oct beating Unforgettable (10-11) by 7l, 4 ran.
Trafalgar Road (IRE) 12-1 (10-8) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 2 out, stayed on from last, 3rd of 12, 5l behind Fairyland (10-8) at Newbury 2m listed hcp hdl 0-145 (1) gs in Nov.
Still At Lunch (IRE) 6-1 (11-8) Made all, quickened clear 3 out, stayed on well, won at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Nov beating Prince Picasso (11-8) by 5l, 11 ran.
Yetholm (USA) 33-1 (10-12) Led, ridden, pressed when hit 2 out, kept on well until headed, no extra final 150 yards, 2nd of 12, 1l behind Get Me Out Of Here (11-4) at Newbury 2m Conditional Handicap Hurdle (0-130) (4yo+) (3) sft in Nov.
Clova Island 13-2 (11-10) In touch, went 2nd approaching 4 out, ridden next, one pace, 3rd of 11, 8l behind Zanir (11-5) at Leicester 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Nov.
Ned Ludd (IRE) 50-1 (11-7) Mid-division, ridden approaching 3 out, soon lost place, 14th of 20, well behind Gala Evening (10-12) at Newbury 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Feb.
Bureaucrat 2-1fav (11-8) Tracked leaders, chased winner 4th untili after 6th, went 2nd again when blundered last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 6, 14l behind Shore Thing (11-12) at Ludlow 2m Claiming Hurdle (4-7) (4) sft in Nov.
Calzaghe (IRE) 5-6fav (11-8) Held up in rear, headway 4 out, chased leaders after next, led approaching 2 out, cleared before last easily, won at Kempton 2m Conditional Novice Handicap Hurdle (0-100) (3yo+) (4) gs in Nov beating Waarid (10-13) by 9l, 13 ran.
Olympian (FR) 14-1 (10-7) Chased leaders until ridden, weakened 3 out, 11th of 12, 38l behind Get Me Out Of Here (11-4) at Newbury 2m Conditional Handicap Hurdle (0-130) (4yo+) (3) sft in Nov.
Mount Welcome (IRE) 14-1 (10-10) Rear of mid-division, headway 4 out, moderate 9th before next, ridden into 6th 2 out, 5th and not fluent last, ran on well on outer run-in to lead close home, won at Wexford 2m hcp hdl 80-95 in Jul beating Takestan (11-7) by 1l, 16 ran.
