tracked leaders, led 3 out, soon headed, ridden and disputing 2nd when fell 2 out
held up well in rear, behind from 4th, tailed off
tracked leaders, blundered badly 3rd, close 4th when hampered 2 out, soon beaten 3rd when mistake last
held up well in rear, pushed along approaching 3 out, never dangerous
prominent, went 2nd 5th until ridden approaching 3 out, weakened before 2 out
mistakes, took keen hold in mid-division, headway after 5th, weakened from 3 out, hampered 2 out
held up well in rear, stayed on past beaten horses from 2 out, no chance
held up in touch, challenged on bit 3 out, soon led, quickened clear approaching last, ran on strongly flat
mistake 5th, always behind, tailed off
pressed leader, not fluent 1st or 5th, weakening when hampered 2 out
held up in mid-division, headway on outside 4th, ridden and weakened after next, tailed off
held up in mid-division, took keen hold early, headway approaching 3 out, inclined to hang left after, not fluent and went 2nd 2 out, soon no chance with winner
mid-division, headway when blundered 4th, soon lost place, hung left after 3 out, hampered but stayed on from 2 out, never nearer
led until 3 out, 5th and weakening when hampered 2 out
An ideal oppertunity for Celestial Halo to achieve win number two over obstacles at the expense Sea Venture and Otage De Brion. A 100 rated performer on the level, his debut victory was achieved with consumate easy against moderate rivals. Ground conditions were bottomless at Chepstow and as a result many of his rivals did not perform. He should possess too much class for these though, with the weight for age allowance a further positive. Sea Venture stepped up from his bumper form finishing a close second behind the exciting Lease Lend last time out. That was also his seasonal debut and with improvement likely he is likely to be thereabouts. Otage De Brion is lumbered with a winners penalty once again. This is a weaker contest than the novice hurdle he contested at Kempton's Christmas Festival and hailing from a yard in form, should prove difficult to keep out of the places. However, Celestial Halo appears an exciting hurdling recruit this season and is selected to land this.
Otage De Brion (FR) 8-1 (11-5) Mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, ridden in close 3rd 2 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 11, 7l behind Song of Songs (11-0) at Kempton 2m nov hdl (2) gs in Dec.
Apache Fort 7-4fav (11-0) Held up in touch, chased leaders over 2f out, ridden to chase winner inside final furlong, no impression, 2nd of 12, 3l behind Blue Hedges (10-7) at Lingfield 1m 4f amt hcp (5) pol in Nov (Flat).
Bazart 20-1 (10-9) Held up in touch, tracked leaders 4 out, chased winner when blundered next, soon weakened, 5th of 17, 22l behind Striking Article (10-12) at Wetherby 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Donaldson (GER) 2-1fav (11-0) Slowly away, went 2nd 3rd to well before 3 out, hit 3 out, weakened before next, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by Helens Vision (10-4) at Newbury 2m nov hdl (3) gs in Dec, 16 ran.
Dynamic Rhythm (USA) 10-1 (10-4) Towards rear, plugged on from 8th, never dangerous, 4th of 10, 32l behind Kings Euro (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) sft in Jul.
Ravenscar 28-1 (10-9) Led, headed 4th, led again 9th, hit and headed 3 out, weakened next, 7th of 10, 29l behind Adare Prince (11-3) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp chs 0-100 (4) sft in Jan.
Red Admiral (USA) 16-1 (8-13) Chased leader until over 3f out, ridden and weakened over 2f out, 19th of 20, 41l behind Group Captain (9-5) at Windsor 1m 4f hcap (2) gs in Nov '06 (Flat).
Sea Venture (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Held up, steady headway 3 out, ridden 2 out, switched left after last, stayed on well flat, nearest finish, 2nd of 14, 1/2l behind Lease Lend (10-12) at Wetherby 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Sentry Duty (FR) 11-2 (11-0) Chased leaders, upsides winner from after 4 out, still upsides 2 out, lost 2nd between last 2, weakened and lost 3rd flat, 4th of 18, 13l behind Special Envoy (11-6) at Newbury 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Mar.
Wild Fell Hall (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, lost place after 4th, tailed off 3 out, 14th of 18, well behind Albinus (10-5) at Doncaster 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Yeoman Spirit (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Led to 5th, chased leader, lost place 3 out, stayed on same pace, 7th of 18, 18l behind Blue Bajan (11-5) at Doncaster 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Yorkshire Owl 33-1 (10-12) Chased winner, ridden and lost place after 4 out, soon weakened, 11th of 17, well behind Kingscourt Lad (10-7) at Doncaster 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gf in Dec.
Celestial Halo (IRE) 6-5fav (10-12) Mid-division, headway after 5th, joined leaders next, led soon after 2 out, pushed clear, won at Newbury 2m 3yo nov hdl (3) sft in Dec beating Prideus (10-12) by 14l, 14 ran.
Mabel (IRE) 66-1 (10-5) Chased leaders, outpaced after 4 out, soon weakened, 9th of 18, 22l behind Albinus (10-5) at Doncaster 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Petrovka (IRE) 14-1 (10-4) Led, ridden when hit 2 out, headed approaching last, one pace, 3rd of 11, 2 1/2l behind Oh Crick (11-8) at Cheltenham 2m 1f nov hcp hdl (3) gs in Jan.
Musical Chairs (IRE) 40-1 (11-5) Held up, mid-division until weakened after 6th, 4th of 7, well behind Working Title (11-5) at Fakenham 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Ticket To Freedom (NZ) 28-1 (11-6) Mid-division, headway approaching 2 out, one pace from last, 3rd of 16, 10l behind Puy d'Arnac (11-3) at Catterick 2m mdn hdl (4) gd in Dec.
