held up towards rear, soon tracked leaders in 3rd, challenged on bit 2 out, led before last, soon clear, very easily
led to 3 out, weakened before 2 out
with leader, led 3 out, ridden before 2 out, headed before last, one pace
in rear and keen, weakened before 3 out
towards rear and in touch, pushed along before 3 out, soon weakened
held up mid-division, went 4th before 3 out, went modest 3rd before last, one pace
tracked leaders, pushed along before 4 out, soon lost place
Previous winners LE PREZIEN and Unbuckled may be the pair to concentrate on in this. Neil King's mare won a couple of bumpers last season and landed a maiden hurdle here four weeks ago when outstaying some ex-Flat types. But preference is for Paul Nicholls' comfortable Ludlow winner, who had run the smart Yanworth to a length-and-a-quarter on his hurdling debut at Warwick and remains unexposed. Gary Moore doesn't send many this far north so point-to-point and bumper winner Knocknanuss would be very interesting if attracting market support.
Le Prezien (FR) 13-8fav (11-0) Chased leaders, hit 3 out, led next, mistake last, ran on well, won at Ludlow 2m mdn (4) sft in Dec beating Casper King (11-0) by 6l, 16 ran.
Busy Baro (IRE) 200-1 (11-0) Led, headed after 3 out, lost place next, soon ridden, no extra, 5th of 14, 10 1/2l behind Que Sera (11-0) at Towcester 2m mdn (5) sft in Dec.
Desertmore Hill (IRE) 9-2 (11-0) Led, headed before 4 out, tracked leader, weakened from 3 out, 10th of 15, 36 1/2l behind Tapaculo (11-0) at Chepstow 2m 3f mdn (5) sft in Nov.
St Lewis 33-1 (11-0) Took keen hold, held up towards rear, ridden over 2f out, never dangerous, 8th of 10, dist behind Winter Soldier (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m (6) gd in Jun.
Temple Tiger 100-1 (11-6) Held up in rear, mistake 2nd, never dangerous, 9th of 12, dist behind Always Resolute (11-6) at Catterick 2m mdn (4) sft in Dec.
Unbuckled (IRE) 5-2 (10-7) Mid-division, headway before 3 out, kept on to lead towards finish, won at Doncaster 2m 1f mdn (5) gs in Dec beating Aldeburgh (11-0) by 2 3/4l, 17 ran.
Caldey 20-1 (10-10) Chased leader until 3rd, in 3rd place when fell 3rd, at Newton Abbot 2m 6f (4) gd in Jul.
Impressively Fair Fair Mix gelding out of Rock Xaar.
Knocknanuss (IRE) 4-6fav (12-0) Made all, shaken up to assert 2f out, kept on strongly final furlong, easily, won at Killarney 2m 1f gd in Jul beating Peregrine Run (12-0) by 5 1/2l, 11 ran.
