led, ridden after 3 out, headed approaching last, kept on gamely
in touch, hit 5th, went 3rd next, ridden approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last
chased leaders until after 3 out, kept on same pace from next
mid-division, ridden after 3 out, weakened after next
chased leaders, went 2nd after 3 out, soon ridden, weakened approaching last
held up towards rear, smooth headway after 2 out, led approaching last, driven out
chased leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, stayed on well from last, went 2nd towards finish
mid-division, ridden approaching 2 out, stayed on
held up towards rear, some headway when brought down 2 out
always mid-division
mid-division, headway 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on
chased leaders, hit 2nd, lost position from next, tailed off and pulled up before last
held up towards rear, badly hampered 2 out, stayed on, never troubled leaders
held up towards rear, good headway from 3 out, close up when fell next
A very competitive handicap hurdle to conclude the day and the vote just goes to Hue, with Luxurix and Five Dream very much respected. Brian Ellison looks to have another decent horse on his hands here and Hue has won three from four this season. With the County Hurdle being talked of as his spring target he'd have to go very well in this and he can do. He had the beating of Senor Snoopy last time and that runner has come out and run very well again since, and Hue has handled very soft ground in France so that is of no concern. He looks progressive and can score. Luxurix is another who has untapped potential and looks a serious danger. Paul Webber's gelding was a comfortable winner on soft ground at Lingfield last time and he runs here in preference to the opening race on the card. He has a 25/1 quote for the Supreme Novices'. Five Dream sprang a 16/1 surprise at Sandown last time and handles cut well but an 11lb rise will make this plenty tough enough. Another to consider is Sebastiano, who is 2lb higher than when beaten at Kempton last time but he handles cut and should be involved. Mickmacmagoole has ground conditions against him in addition to being out of the handicap, while Torkinking is dropping back to a more reasonable mark and loves juice in the ground. Mohayer is 7lb higher than his last win and loves it bottomless so can't be totally ruled out and at a price Valiant Shadow coud go well as he will be suited by what looks likely to be an end to end gallop. However, Hue looks to be on the upgrade and can confirm that here en route to the Festival.
Whispered Promises (USA) 66-1 (11-7) In touch, lost place from 7th, 8th of 11, 47l behind Al Eile (11-7) at Aintree 2m 4f hdl Grd 1 (1) gd in Apr.
Trouble At Bay (IRE) 9-1 (11-10) Mid-division, lost place 5th, soon struggling, tailed off, 16th of 17, well behind Jack The Giant (11-0) at Ascot 2m lst hcp hdl (1) gf in Dec.
Torkinking (IRE) 16-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders, ridden 4 out, weakened after next, 6th of 11, 8l behind Bywell Beau (11-10) at Kelso 2m hcp hdl (2) hvy.
Chiaro (FR) 50-1 (10-8) Chased leaders until weakened approaching 2 out, 7th of 13, 18l behind Ring The Boss (10-0) at Sandown 2m lst hcp hdl (1) hvy in Dec.
Luxurix (FR) 9-2 (11-5) Prominent, ridden to lead 2 out and jumped right, ran on, won at Lingfield 2m nov hdl (4) sft beating Bremen (11-5) by 9l, 16 ran.
Five Dream (FR) 16-1 (10-6) Towards rear, headway after 3 out, led on bit 2 out, ridden approaching last, kept on, won at Sandown 2m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) sft beating European Dream (10-12) by 1l, 13 ran.
Mohayer (IRE) 10-3fav (10-11) Mid-division, headway to lead after 3 out, soon ridden, headed last, one pace flat, 3rd of 11, 5l behind Bywell Beau (11-10) at Kelso 2m hcp hdl (2) hvy.
Valiant Shadow (GER) 11-2 (10-1) Tracked leaders, led 4 out, headed approaching next, kept on same pace, 7th of 11, 9l behind Naiad du Misselot (10-0) at Haydock 2m 4f hcp hdl (2) sft in Dec.
Hue 7-2 (11-7) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 2 out, 6 lengths down last, quickened run-in to lead near finish, won at Sedgefield 2m 5f nov hdl (4) gd in Dec beating Senora Snoopy (10-7) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.
Sebastiano (FR) 2-1fav (11-7) Tracked leaders, ridden and every chance 2 out, kept on, soon held by winner, 2nd of 7, 6l behind Dancer's Serenade (11-5) at Kempton 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft.
Dancing Lyra 33-1 (10-3) Mid-division, 13th halfway, no impression from 3 out, 9th of 28, 18l behind Barker (10-6) at Leopardstown 2m hcp hdl 0-145 hvy.
Barati (IRE) 33-1 (10-6) Prominent, ridden 8th, weakened before next, tailed off 3 out and pulled up 5 out in race won by Ballyshan (10-4) at Warwick 3m 1f hcp hdl (2) hvy, 9 ran.
Buck The Legend (IRE) 16-1 (11-7) Held up, not fluent 8th, headway approaching 3 out, chased winner before last, no impression, 2nd of 15, 10l behind Big Fella Thanks (11-7) at Chepstow 3m mdn hdl (4) hvy.
Mickmacmagoole (IRE) 10-11fav (10-9) Held up towards rear, headway when badly hampered 7th, chased leaders 2 out, led last, ridden out flat, won at Taunton 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gf in Nov beating Roby De Cimbre (11-2) by 4l, 13 ran.
Cottingham (IRE) 14-1 (11-4) Behind, ridden and headway after 3 out, soon chasing leaders, kept on well after last, 3rd of 15, 2 1/2l behind Pagano (10-13) at Taunton 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Dec.
