made all, driven clear 2 out
tracked winner from 5th, ridden and stumbled 2 out, soon one pace
held up, headway 6th to chase leading pair, weakened 4 out
tracked leaders, weakened approaching 4 out
held up, ridden and weakened 4 out
In another strong looking contest, this time a novice hurdle the Paul Nicholls trained THE GOSSMOOR YANK has our confidence with Soft Spoken Guy and Little Josh looking real dangers. Sam Thomas will pilot the selection who took victory in his only start under rules over course and distance in November. A decent pointer he has more improvement to come and looks destined for loftier honours. Little Josh took a similar race two starts ago but followed up that 35 length success with a wide margin defeat under an increased burden last time. He'll carry a bit more under these terms here but at his best could challenge. Little Josh makes his hurdles bow after some decent efforts in bumper company. The hurdles will have to bring about improvement for him to get his head in front but he, by no means, should be ruled out. Alan King's Long Hop should be considered given his bits and pieces of form but the gold should go to The Gossmoor Yank.
Little Josh (IRE) 13-8fav (11-5) Led, mistakes and jumped right, headed 4 out, weakened after next, 4th of 14, 41l behind Ernst Blofeld (10-12) at Haydock 2m 4f nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
The Gossmoor Yank (IRE) 10-3 (11-0) Tracked leaders throughout, not fluent 6th, led 3 out, challenged 2 out, ridden approaching last, kept on, won at Chepstow 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gs in Nov beating Any Currency (11-0) by 3/4l, 15 ran.
Long Hop (IRE) 6-1 (10-12) Mid-division, ridden approaching 3 out, went modest 4th after last, never a danger, 4th of 15, 18l behind Missoula (10-5) at Fontwell 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Makin A Fuss 11-2 (10-9) Held up in rear, pushed along over 4f out, stayed on final furlong, never dangerous, 4th of 6, 12l behind Another Moment (10-13) at Aintree 2m 1f nhf (6) gd in Jun.
Manolo (FR) 40-1 (11-6) Took keen hold, always behind, tailed off when unseated rider 4 out in race won by Shelomoh (11-8) at Towcester 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft in Jan, 11 ran.
Soft Spoken Guy (IRE) 5-1 (11-11) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden into 2nd entering straight, no impression leader from under 2f out, kept on one pace, 2nd of 10, 14l behind Pandorama (12-0) at Naas 2m 3f nhf sft in Oct.
