prominent, hung left briefly before 3 out, every chance 2 out, not much room final bend, 4th and fading before last
chased leaders, lost place after 2nd, headway before 2 out, 3rd before last, hung left flat, no extra inside final 100 yards
tracked leaders, not fluent 3rd, lost place 2 out, weakened final bend, tailed off
in touch on outside, not fluent 7th, mistake and lost place 3 out, well beaten 2 out
in rear, headway before 2 out, 5th from final bend, no impression, plugged on
held up towards rear, outpaced after 3 out, mistake 2 out, stayed on from before last, never dangerous
held up towards rear of mid-division, headway 6th, not fluent 3 out or 2 out, went 2nd final bend, every chance when jumped left and not fluent last, held flat, kept on
tracked leaders, slow 1st, closed before 6th, led after 3 out, idled flat, stayed on well
in touch, took keen hold, lost place after 3 out, well beaten 2 out, tailed off
led, not fluent 6th, headed after 3 out, lost place 2 out, tailed off
A decent Ballymore trial with recent effortless Ludlow scorer, Pembroke, a leading contender for the Skeltons. He's actually not that easy to assess on the basis of two recent wins, but there was no denying the style of his successes and he's clearly progressive and useful. However, HENRI THE SECOND is preferred despite the concession of weight all round. He landed a Grade 2 in battling fashion on just his second start over hurdles and looks the sort to tackle the Cheltenham hill with relish. There should also be plenty more to come after just two runs over timber to date. The remainder have all shown various levels of distinct promise, with Rock My Way, a good second here on New Year's Day, and smooth Uttoxeter winner, Can You Call, appealing as the likeliest pair to handle this step-up in class.
Henri The Second (FR) 7-4fav (11-2) Held up in last pair, good headway out tracking leaders 3 out, wide turning in, went 2nd before 2 out where not quite fluent, led last, stayed on strongly run-in, won at Sandown 2m 4f (1) sft in Dec beating Henry's Friend (11-2) by 4 1/4l, 6 ran.
Mofasa 4-9fav (11-8) Led, not fluent 5th, ridden and faced challenge for lead 3 out, headed before 2 out, tailed off approaching last, last of 4, 29 1/4l behind Tiger Jet (11-5) at Newcastle 2m 6f (2) gs in Nov.
Can You Call 7-2fav (11-2) Chased leaders, headway on inner going well before 3 out, led approaching 2 out where bad mistake, soon recovered, ran on well and drew clear from last, easily, won at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (3) hvy in Dec beating Hermes Boy (11-3) by 8l, 11 ran.
Cruz Control (FR) Evensfav (11-4) Close up, every chance when hit 3 out, led next, ridden out, won at Newcastle 2m 1f mdn (4) sft in Dec beating Leading Force (11-4) by 8l, 11 ran.
Doctor Brown Bear (IRE) 7-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, pushed along and dropped to 5th after 2 out, no extra from last, 5th of 18, 21l behind Foxy Girl (10-6) at Limerick 2m mdn Soft - Heavy in Dec.
Moka De Vassy (FR) 100-1 (11-7) Always behind, tailed off when mistake 4 out, pulled up before next, at Newbury 2m 5f (1) sft in Dec.
Pembroke 2-1 (11-6) Held up in touch, closed from 5th, led and dived at 3 out, clear 2 out, easily, won at Ludlow 2m (4) gs in Dec beating Amrons Sage (11-0) by 16l, 15 ran.
Rock My Way (IRE) 66-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, went 2nd after 2 out, ridden before last, challenged flat, held towards finish, 2nd of 13, 1 1/4l behind Weveallbeencaught (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 4f mdn (2) gs in Jan.
War Soldier (IRE) 2-1 (11-6) Chased leader who went clear briefly after 3rd, awkward at 5th, lost 2nd after 4 out, handy 3rd, went 2nd again 3 out, hung left and challenged last, led narrowly soon after and hung left, stayed on, won at Haydock 2m (3) sft in Dec beating Matata (11-6) by 3/4l, 11 ran.
Way Out (IRE) 8-1 (11-5) Raced on inside, led until 4th, chased winner, every chance 3 out, bit awkward next, well held last, kept on well for clear 2nd, 2nd of 12, 6l behind Iliko D'olivate (11-5) at Taunton 2m 3f (4) sft in Jan.
Blenkinsop 10-3 (10-6) Raced keenly, waited with towards rear, headway out wide before 3 out, went 2nd at the last, shaken up and led run-in, stayed on strongly, won at Newbury 2m 5f hcp (2) sft in Dec beating Moulins Clermont (10-5) by 4 3/4l, 10 ran.
Bonttay (IRE) 10-11fav (11-4) Front mid-division, tracked leaders home turn, wandered approaching 2 out, ridden and chased winner run-in, stayed on and closing at finish, 2nd of 17, 3/4l behind Jane Du Berlais (11-4) at Lingfield 2m (4) gs in Dec.
