chased leaders, reminders 4th, lost place after 4 out, soon weakened, behind when pulled up before next
led, headed 3 out, ridden to lead again after next, soon hard pressed, stayed on well under pressure flat
mid-division, effort after 4 out, outpaced next, behind when pulled up before last
behind, struggling 4 out, tailed off when pulled up before next
held up, struggling 4 out, tailed off when pulled up before next
in touch, ridden and effort to challenge 3 out, kept on and every chance until no extra towards finish
with leader, led and hung badly left 3 out, ridden and headed after next, 5 lengths down in 3rd and no impression when fell last
chased leaders, outpaced 3 out, soon no impression, left poor 3rd last, no chance with leading pair
mid-division, chased leaders 4 out, ridden and outpaced next, soon weakened
mid-division, chased leaders approaching 3 out, soon ridden and weakened, behind when pulled up before last
jumped badly, always behind, tailed off 4 out, pulled up before next
soon lost touch in rear, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
Having run well in two starts in bumpers under testing ground, PLAY ON WORDS should appreciate the softer ground than on his first start over timber when third behind A French Horse at Warwick in November and the Paul Nicholls-trained gelding looks the one to beat with the main dangers rated as Quizwork and Pension Plan. Don McCain's gelding has gone better in two starts over hurdles than he did on his only run in a bumper and does handle testing ground so he has to be respected. David Pipe's Horsford won his bumper at Ffos Las in good fashion but has yet to reproduce a similar level of form over hurdles, while the Venetia Williams-trained Spit failed to handle a penalty on his most recent start in a Hereford bumper and now makes his first start over hurdles. Graeme McPherson's Quizwork has shown gradual improvement in recent starts and does have the advantage of hurdling experience over many of his rivals but it is hard to get away from Play On Words, who looks the one to be on.
Classic Diamond 100-1 (11-0) Chased leader to 3rd, 2nd again after 5th until approaching 4 out, weakened before 3 out, 9th of 11, 38l behind Strategic Approach (11-0) at Chepstow 3m mdn hdl (4yo+) (4) hvy in Dec.
Horsford (IRE) 10-1 (11-5) Led, headed over 2 out, soon weakened, 7th of 13, 13l behind Meath All Star (11-5) at Ffos Las 2m 6f mdn hdl (4) sft.
Milandale (IRE) 25-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, went 2nd 4f out until weakened over 1f out, 5th of 11, 10l behind Owen Glendower (11-2) at Taunton 2m 1f NH flat (5) sft in Dec.
Ninogaro (FR) 50-1 (10-5) Always in rear, ridden and struggling final 7f, tailed off, last of 8, well behind Slate Gem (10-8) at Fontwell 1m 6f NH flat (6) gf in May.
One More Dinar 250-1 (10-9) Held up in touch, behind from 8th, tailed off, 10th of 14, well behind Robo (10-4) at Southwell 2m 4f cond nov hdl 4yo+ (4) gd in Dec.
Pension Plan 20-1 (11-0) In touch, ridden and effort on outside 2 out, kept on same pace approaching last, no impression, 3rd of 16, 10l behind Wishfull Thinking (11-0) at Hereford 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Play On Words (FR) 12-1 (10-12) Led 3rd, headed 3 out, ridden and lost 2nd before 2 out, weakened soon after, 3rd of 16, 16l behind A French Horse (10-12) at Warwick 2m 5f nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Quintero (FR) 14-1 (11-0) Not always fluent, led to 3 out, weakened approaching last, 5th of 11, 21l behind Strategic Approach (11-0) at Chepstow 3m mdn hdl (4yo+) (4) hvy in Dec.
Quizwork (FR) 150-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway 3 out, chased leaders next, never on terms, 3rd of 15, 10l behind Duke Of Lucca (11-5) at Newbury 2m 3f NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) hvy in Dec.
Spit (IRE) 7-4 (11-8) Tracked leader, led over 5f out, headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 3rd of 7, 22l behind No Panic (11-1) at Hereford 2m 1f NH flat (6) gf in Mar '08.
Dancing At Dawn (IRE) 40-1 (10-2) Not fluent, led or disputed lead, reminders from 4th, lost place 4 out, weakened next, last of 6, well behind Brigadore (10-7) at Taunton 2m 3f sell hdl (5) sft in Dec.
Dawn Street 100-1 (9-11) Jumped right, always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Festival Dreams (9-11) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in May, 14 ran.
