held up, closed when not fluent 3 out, went 2nd after final bend, led last, driven flat, headed towards finish
tracked leaders, mistake 5th, sprawled on landing and unseated rider
raced keenly, led until after 1st, pressed leader, led 2nd, headed after 3 out, led before 2 out, headed final bend, soon edged left and held, 3rd and no extra last
not always fluent in rear, niggled along after 3 out, went 4th after 2 out, no impression, stumbled flat
led after 1st, not fluent and headed 5th, led after 3 out, headed before 2 out, soon weakened
held up in touch, led final bend, headed last, stayed on well, led again towards finish
Second to a well-regarded novice at Lingfield with a subsequent winner back in third, Make Me A Believer should be winning over hurdles sooner rather than later. Any News was impressive when making a winning start over timber at Bangor but Lord Baddesley failed to land the odds on a return visit to Fontwell having won there earlier. It took LUCKY ONE six attempts to get off the mark but the drop back to a stiff 2m at Southwell last time did the trick and his proven stamina could also be an advantage around here.
Any News (IRE) 13-8 (11-0) Tracked leaders, led 3 out, clear approaching last, comfortable, won at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 1f mdn (4) sft in Nov beating Easy As That (11-0) by 10l, 4 ran.
Lord Baddesley (IRE) 10-11fav (11-5) Tracked leader, untidy at 6th, pressed leader 3 out, every chance 2 out, second at last, kept on until no extra run-in, 2nd of 4, 3 3/4l behind Furkash (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f (4) hvy in Nov.
Lucky One (FR) 5-6fav (11-0) Disputed lead early, prominent 4th, headway to lead going best 2 out, extended advantage before last, won hard-held, won at Southwell 2m mdn (4) gs in Dec beating Fletch (11-0) by 14l, 13 ran.
Butte Montana (IRE) 13-2 (11-0) Chased leaders, not fluent 5th or 7th, shaken up after 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 7, dist behind Real Stone (11-0) at Aintree 2m 4f mdn (4) sft in Oct.
Caddyhill (IRE) 5-1 (10-12) Jumped right throughout, led, headed briefly 4th, led soon after, headed when blundered 2 out, ridden to lead before last, headed flat, kept on, 2nd of 13, 1 3/4l behind Get Your Own (10-12) at Southwell 2m mdn (4) gs in Nov.
Make Me A Believer (IRE) 14-1 (11-2) Prominent, close up 2nd, chased leader 3 out, close up 2 out, kept on but no chance with winner from last, 2nd of 16, 4 1/2l behind Bear Ghylls (11-2) at Lingfield 2m 3f mdn (4) sft in Oct.
