mid-division, headway 3 out, ridden next, 5th and no impression last, one pace
tracked leaders, not fluent 3rd, went 2nd 2 out, ridden before last, no impression on winner, stayed on
mid-division, not fluent 3rd, weakened before 3 out
prominent, ridden 3 out, weakened before next
mid-division, not fluent 3 out, headway from next, went 3rd before last, stayed on, no impression on winner
in rear, well behind after 4th
held up towards rear, took keen hold, some headway after 4th, weakened before 3 out
tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, not fluent 1st or 4th, well beaten before 3 out
led until after 4th, stayed handy, no extra 2 out
not fluent 1st, always behind, tailed off before 3 out
prominent, challenged 3rd, led after next, ridden clear last, stayed on well
tracked leaders, not fluent 1st, jumped left 3 out, 4th and beaten when jumped left and not fluent last, one pace
Several of these are looking to put disappointing efforts behind them including Bardd. The bumper winner never threatened at Sandown on his hurdling bow while Admiral Kid ran well in a novices hurdle at Plumpton but looked beaten in second when falling at the last at Fakenham. Big Windmill tailed off last time having been placed in a maiden hurdle at Ludlow earlier so a speculative vote goes to DU SOLEIL. The latter made a winning debut in a bumper at Haydock in November and the half-brother to a hurdles and chase winner in France could go well on his first start over obstacles.
Admiral Kid (IRE) 5-2 (11-0) Led until 2nd, stayed handy, ridden after 2 out, no impression on winner in 2nd when fell last, at Fakenham 2m 4f mdn (5) gs in Dec.
Bardd (IRE) 9-4 (10-12) Not always fluent, tracked leading trio, bumped by loose horse 2nd, jumped slowly 4th, pushed along and left 3rd before 2 out, ridden and one pace between last 2, no chance with 1st 2, lost modest 3rd run-in, 4th of 9, 14 1/4l behind Dashing Oscar (11-4) at Sandown 2m (3) gs in Dec.
Big Windmill (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, pushed alongt and weakened rapidly before 3 out, tailed off, 12th of 15, dist behind Sneaky Feeling (10-12) at Newbury 2m 3f (4) gs in Dec.
Billy Hicks 5-1 (10-7) Trckd ldrs; went 2nd aft 3 out; kpt on flat, 2nd of 10, 1l behind Midnight Luca (10-7) at Woodford 2m 4f mdn gs in Apr.
Du Soleil (FR) 15-8fav (11-0) Close up, tracked leader 12f out, led over 3f out, soon clear, kept up to work final furlong, won at Haydock 2m (4) sft in Nov beating Crackdeloust (11-7) by 6l, 6 ran.
Elav 80-1 (10-12) Always towards rear, weakened from 4 out, tailed off, last of 13, dist behind Robinshill (12-5) at Ffos Las 2m (4) hvy in Dec.
Esspresso (FR) 14-1 (11-5) In rear, headway over 4f out, went 3rd over 2f out, one pace and no impression, 3rd of 7, 19 1/4l behind The Welsh Paddies (11-5) at Ffos Las 2m mdn (6) gs in Nov.
Heluvagood 25-1 (10-12) Held up in touch, weakened before 3 out, 7th of 9, dist behind Anchor Man (10-12) at Exeter 2m 6f (4) gd in Nov.
Moonlight Flyer (IRE) 50-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, ridden and struggling before 6th, 6th of 10, 28 1/2l behind Tintern Theatre (11-0) at Ludlow 2m mdn (4) sft in Nov.
Radical Archie 9-2 (11-0) Held up in last pair, pushed along and struggling 3f out, never on terms, 6th of 8, 26 1/2l behind Cesar Et Rosalie (11-0) at Lingfield 2m (6) pol in Nov.
Restraint 40-1 (11-2) Always towards rear, behind final 5f, tailed off, 11th of 13, dist behind Western Ryder (10-12) at Ffos Las 2m (4) gd in May.
Russian Service 50-1 (10-12) Mid-division, mistake 3 out, modest effort when not fluent next, no chance with leaders and soon weakened, 7th of 11, 34l behind Finian's Oscar (10-12) at Hereford 2m 6f (4) sft in Dec.
Zero Grand (IRE) 28-1 (11-0) Held up, in rear, headway after 7th, 4th from 2 out, never on terms, 4th of 18, 11 1/2l behind Rolling Dylan (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn (4) sft in Nov.
Cake de L'Isle (FR) 14-1 (11-0) Chased leader, outpaced over 2f out, soon weakened, 10th of 12, 31 3/4l behind Benechenko (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m (5) sft in Nov.
Cona River (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Tracked leader until 8th, 4th and outpaced 2 out, soon weakened, 5th of 11, 26 1/2l behind Finian's Oscar (10-12) at Hereford 2m 6f (4) sft in Dec.
Glance Back 250-1 (11-0) Jumped left, led after 1st, clear next until 4 out, headed and weakened quickly before next, tailed off, 16th of 17, dist behind High Bridge (11-0) at Newbury 2m mdn (4) gs in Dec.
