held up, not fluent 4th and next, effort approaching 2 out, weakened before last, eased
led, blundered 5th, ridden and headed after 2 out, weakened
close up, effort 2 out, soon weakened, pulled up before last
chased leader, hit 2nd, ridden after 3 out, weakened after next, regained modest 3rd near finish
held up, took closer order 4th, led approaching last, soon ridden, kept on, driven out
tracked leaders, went 2nd after 2 out, ridden when not fluent last, kept on, not pace to challenge, edged right near finish
tracked leader, ridden to lead after 2 out, soon headed, weakening when mistake last, lost 3rd near finish
Alan King has taken the last two renewals of this race with horses who then went on to run massive races in the Triumph; the same is expected here of the exciting prospect WALKON as he is fancied to dispose of main market rivals Simarian and Reve De Sivola. Having won on his debut at Huntingdon, the gelding then went on to a four length second to Zaynar. That form looks rock solid (latter is favourite for Triumph) and his subsequent defeat of Pepite De Soleil has also been franked. Simarian was impressive when running on well up the hill in November but was then turned over by the selection last time; no pull in the weights makes things tough but a return to Prestbury Park could suit. Reve De Sivola was third on that day off level weights and he has a 7lb pull today. Nick Williams' gelding is an improver and he can stamp his festival credentials today with a very big run. Pemberton is unbeaten but his runs in the North don't appear to have a great deal of strength in depth; he needs to improve but this well-related gelding cannot be ruled out. Nampour was put in his place when last seen behind Simarian and Reve De Soleil; a break may have freshened him up. Higgy's Boy missed an intended engagement earlier in the week and Nicky Henderson's inmate clashes once again with Blues In Cee. I expect him to confirm those placings, but he looks up against it today against some smart juveniles and it is Walkon who can further cement his place at the top of the Triumph Hurdle ante post betting.
Higgy's Boy (IRE) 2-1fav (10-12) Held up mid-division, smooth headway before 3 out to chase leaders 2 out, led last, quick and clear run-in, readily, won at Newbury 2m 3yo nov hdl (3) gs in Dec beating Blues In Cee (10-5) by 2l, 17 ran.
Nampour (FR) 10-1 (11-6) Mid-division, headway 3 out, ridden after 2 out, stayed on same pace, 4th of 15, 9l behind Simarian (11-6) at Cheltenham 2m nov hdl Grd 2 (1) sft in Nov.
Pemberton 4-1 (11-2) Held up, tracked leaders 4 out, ridden to lead 2 out, kept on, won at Wetherby 2m 3yo nov hdl (3) sft in Dec beating Sacrilege (11-0) by 4 1/2l, 10 ran.
Simarian (IRE) 11-4 (11-0) Mid-division, pecked 1st, headway after 4th, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out, 4th of 10, 10l behind Walkon (11-0) at Chepstow 2m nov hdl Grd 1 (1) sft in Dec.
Walkon (FR) 7-2 (11-0) In touch and always going well, led 3 out, clear last, ran on well, won at Chepstow 2m nov hdl Grd 1 (1) sft in Dec beating Pepite De Soleil (10-7) by 5l, 10 ran.
Reve De Sivola (FR) 6-1 (11-0) Held up, headway 4 out, hit 2 out, running on towards finish, just denied 2nd, 3rd of 10, 5l behind Walkon (11-0) at Chepstow 2m nov hdl Grd 1 (1) sft in Dec.
Blues In Cee (IRE) 16-1 (10-5) Chased leader, led 3 out, driven after next, headed last, not pace of winner run-in, but clear 2nd, 2nd of 17, 2l behind Higgy's Boy (10-12) at Newbury 2m 3yo nov hdl (3) gs in Dec.
