always behind
with leader, led before 3rd, made most, ridden and every chance before 2 out, kept on and well held towards finish
in rear, headway 6 out, ridden before 2 out, one pace in 3rd
in touch, ridden before 3 out, weakened before next
made most, ridden before 2 out and under pressure, kept on strongly run-in, driven out
lead until before 3rd, lost place 6 out, mistake next, weakened 4 out, pulled up before next
Philip Hobbs sent out Sykes to win this last year and ICE COOL CHAMPS (NAP) can follow suit. A winner twice over hurdles, both times on heavy ground, he has a chasing pedigree and is capable of going on to better things. Conditions won’t be a problem for Billy Bronco and he’s already had a run over fences, finishing third at Ffos Las when he found a second wind in the closing stages. Walt will almost certainly be suited by the return to a longer trip while Scotchtown is sure to strip fitter for a run at Worcester in October.
Ice Cool Champs (IRE) 3-1 (11-1) Held up towards rear, headway 4 out, went 2nd before 3 out, hit next, led before last, soon clear, easily, won at Uttoxeter 2m 7f hcp (3) hvy in Nov beating Kris Spin (11-10) by 6l, 8 ran.
Scotchtown (IRE) 4-1 (11-8) Chased leader, jumped right throughout, mistake 3 out, weakened next, 4th of 9, 30 1/2l behind Remind Me Later (10-4) at Worcester 2m 7f hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Walt (IRE) 9-1 (11-3) Held up in touch, headway before 3 out, ridden before last, kept on same pace, 4th of 6, 5l behind Markov (10-11) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Billy Bronco 11-8fav (11-3) Chased leaders, outpaced in 4th before 4 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 3rd of 6, 17l behind Solighoster (11-3) at Ffos Las 3m (3) sft in Nov.
Millanisi Boy 9-1 (11-11) In rear, hampered 4th, ridden before 5 out, tailed off when pulled up before next, at Chepstow 3m hcp (4) hvy in Nov.
Kit Casey (IRE) 66-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, lost place when mistake 4 out (usual 13th), soon lost touch, tailed off, 6th of 9, dist behind Vintage Clouds (11-7) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp (3) gs in Oct.