tracked leaders, challenged on long run before 2 out, outpaced turning in, ridden and edged left after last, kept on but always held in clear 2nd flat
tracked leaders on inside, ridden and outpaced by front pair turning in, no impression in modest 3rd before last
raced wide, with winner, outpaced before 2 out, soon lost place and ridden, no danger after
made most on inside, driven turning in, ridden after last, stayed on well
held up in touch in rear, tracked leaders before 2 out, soon driven and outpaced, ridden before last, never on terms, weakened flat
Wind surgery seems to have done the trick for ECCO, who followed a maiden hurdle success on his reappearance with a victory at Ascot earlier in the month. There looks plenty more to come and he can take advantage of the weight concession he receives from Pacify. The latter is penalised for winning a Listed novices’ hurdle at Kempton last month but is another on the upgrade and should be bang there at the finish. The remaining trio have something to prove at this level though Scardura and Hang In There won maiden hurdles in good style last month and Eden Du Houx came up against the smart I K Brunel at Fontwell on his return to action and is fitted with a tongue-tie for this.
Pacify 5-4fav (11-0) Made all, shaken up before 2 out, ridden between last 2, clear last, ran on, eased near finish, readily, won at Kempton 2m lst (1) gd in Oct beating Cardigan Bay (10-7) by 1 3/4l, 7 ran.
Ecco 11-10fav (11-4) Prominent, left 2nd 1st, hit 4th and 3 out, shaken up to lead approaching last, drew clear flat, easily, won at Ascot 2m (3) gs in Nov beating Neff (11-4) by 6l, 8 ran.
Eden Du Houx (FR) 8-11fav (11-2) With leader, led 2nd, clear with winner 4 out, ridden and headed 2 out, one pace when switched right between last 2, no chance with winner flat, 2nd of 14, 6l behind I K Brunel (11-2) at Fontwell 2m 3f mdn (5) sft in Oct.
Hang In There (IRE) 2-1jfav (11-0) Took keen hold, made virtually all, jumped slightly right, clear flat, comfortably, won at Exeter 2m 1f mdn (4) gd in Oct beating Getaway Fred (11-0) by 7l, 14 ran.
Scardura (IRE) 13-8fav (10-12) Led until after 2nd, chased leader, in front again before 5th, came easily clear before 2 out, won at Taunton 2m mdn (4) gd in Oct beating Bathsheba Bay (10-12) by 16l, 13 ran.
