held up in last pair, headway approaching 7th, outpaced after 4 out, stayed on same pace from 2 out
tracked leader, led 2nd, headed 2 out, no chance with winner, mistake last, held on well for 2nd
held up in last pair, headway 8th, challenged 3 out, led next, soon clear, eased final 100 yards
took keen hold early, tracked leaders, not fluent 5th or 8th, weakened after 2 out
tracked leaders, not fluent 6th, mistake 3 out, hit 2 out, stayed on same pace
led until 2nd, prominent, outpaced after 3 out, plugged on
Some potentially useful novices face the starter here and there is sure to be plenty of interest in Hawkes Point, though he's been a little disappointing so far under Rules. Barlow is a points winners and Great Gusto was third to Valid Reason at Towcester last time and looks to be improving. Tiger Maguire has won and finished third in bumpers on this track so has to be respected on his hurdles bow but OLD TRICKS won well at Wincanton on Boxing Day, despite running green. Colin Tizzard's gelding has plenty of stamina in his pedigree and could be useful if inheriting similar ability to half-brother According To John - he gets the nod.
Barlow (IRE) 2-1 (10-11) Alw pr & gng well, cl up 2out, eff last, row for share of lead late, won at Toomebridge 3m ire ptp hvy in Oct deadheating with River Exit (11-7), 9 ran.
Great Gusto (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Mid-division, reminder 6th, outpaced 4 out, left beaten 3rd when hampered last, no chance with leading pair, 3rd of 16, 14l behind Valid Reason (11-5) at Towcester 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Hawkes Point 5-2 (11-3) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 5th, led 9th, soon ridden and headed, weakened approaching 2 out, 5th of 10, 40l behind Wistow (11-2) at Warwick 3m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Old Tricks (IRE) 14-1 (10-9) Towards rear, pushed along 6f out, rallied under pressure 4f out, stayed on strongly to lead inside final furlong, won at Wincanton 2m NH flat (6) sft in Dec beating Admiral Boom (10-9) by 2 3/4l, 14 ran.
Tiger Maguire (IRE) 10-11fav (11-7) Tracked leaders, went 2nd over 5f out, led over 3f out, soon headed, weakened inside final furlong, 3rd of 6, 23l behind Village Vic (11-0) at Chepstow 2m NH flat (6) hvy in Dec.
Emma Soda 18-1 (11-5) Tracked leader after 2nd until 5th, pushed along from 8th, lost touch 4 out, no chance with front pair, last of 3, 29l behind Seedless (11-12) at Bangor 3m mrs nov hdl (4) gs.
Over The Page 28-1 (11-3) Chased leadrs, went 2nd after 7th, ridden and weakened 3 out, tailed off, 6th of 8, well behind American Cricket (11-9) at Leicester 2m 4f sell hdl (5) sft.
