towards rear, mistake 2nd, well behind 4 out, tailed off
mid-division, struggling before 4th, tailed off before 4 out, pulled up before 3 out
chased leaders, hampered 3 out, driven in 3rd after 2 out, switched right before last, stayed on flat, went 2nd towards finish, no impression on winner
towards rear, some headway 4 out, well beaten by leaders 3 out
held up towards rear, behind from 4 out, tailed off
led, mistake 3 out, ridden and headed last, lost 2nd towards finish
mid-division, struggling 4 out, soon behind, tailed off
prominent, steadied before jumping left 1st, headway after 6th, weakened before 2 out
prominent, lost place after 2nd, well beaten from 4 out, tailed off
jumped left and not always fluent, towards rear on outside, struggling 6th, tailed off
held up in rear, plugged on from 3 out, went 5th before last, no impression
prominent, not fluent 2nd or 3rd, no extra in 4th before last
rear of mid-division, ridden and struggling 4th, tailed off
in touch in mid-division, weakened 4 out, pulled up before next
chased leader 1st, not fluent 6th, blundered badly 3 out, rider lost iron briefly and not recover, tailed off
chased leaders, not fluent 6th or 7th, went 2nd from 3 out, not fluent 2 out, shaken up to lead last, stayed on, readily
Lubeat Foras has changed stables since a third at Warwick in May. WONDERWALL (NAP), who ran well in the Champion Bumper last March, may well have made a winning start over hurdles at Newbury had he not blundered at the last. He looks the one to beat in this though Watergrange Jack had solid form in bumpers in Ireland last year and The Street finished ahead of Fine By Me when third here last month. City Chief ran green and was hampered on his hurdling debut at Ascot but still finished second and will be more the finished article here.
Ask The Judge (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) Close up in rear, pushed along 5th, soon outpaced, behind when pulled up 3 out, at Wetherby 2m (4) sft in Dec.
C'Mon Sharpy (IRE) 400-1 (10-12) Towards rear, pushed along before 4th, soon behind, pulled up before 3 out, at Doncaster 2m 3f (4) sft in Dec.
City Chief (IRE) 15-8fav (11-4) Tracked leading pair, held in pocket before 2 out, stayed on run-in, went 2nd towards finish, no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 3l behind Party Business (11-4) at Ascot 2m 6f mdn (3) gs in Dec.
Fingal's Hill (IRE) 40-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, mistake 3rd and 4th, struggling when mistake 3 out, well beaten before 2 out, 9th of 13, 37l behind Silver Flyer (11-7) at Catterick 2m 3f mdn (4) sft in Dec.
Hors Guard (FR) 125-1 (10-12) Always towards rear, never involved, 8th of 16, 29 3/4l behind Rainyday Woman (10-12) at Wincanton 2m 4f (4) gs in Dec.
Lubeat Foras (IRE) 9-4fav (11-4) Raced keenly, tracked leaders, edged right bend before 3rd, challenged next, led 5th, headed 4 out, led 3 out, edged left and headed before last, no extra, 3rd of 10, 10 1/4l behind Goudhurst Star (11-4) at Warwick 2m 3f mdn (4) gs in May.
Mixedwave (IRE) 22-1 (11-4) In touch in rear, ridden 4 out, soon struggling, 5th of 6, dist behind Conceroe (11-4) at Fakenham 2m 4f mdn (4) gs in Dec.
Pearly Island 33-1 (10-12) In touch, headway 6th, tracked leaders next, beaten when hit 2 out, 3rd of 6, dist behind Hillcrest (11-5) at Wetherby 2m 5f (4) gs in Dec.
Poet's Corner 33-1 (11-0) Held up in mid-division, headway 8f out, pushed along over 4f out, weakened inside final 2f, 6th of 14, 17 1/4l behind Crambo (11-0) at Huntingdon 2m (5) sft in Dec.
Sister Michael (IRE) 7-2 (11-0) Chased leaders on inside, outpaced and lost place 5f out, well beaten over 2f out, 6th of 10, dist behind Springwell Bay (11-0) at Market Rasen 2m 1f (5) gd in Nov.
Stony Man (IRE) 20-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, ridden and outpaced at 3 out, kept on at 2 out, weakened after last hurdle, 4th of 14, 8 1/2l behind Come On Gruff (11-4) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn (4) gs in Dec.
The Street (IRE) 11-1 (10-12) Held up, steady headway 4 out, tracking leaders going well before 3 out, ridden and unable to quicken between last two, 3rd and well held when hit last, 3rd of 8, 5 1/2l behind Mucho Mas (10-12) at Doncaster 2m 3f (3) gs in Dec.
Third Street (IRE) 17-2 (11-0) Tailed off, never a factor, 8th of 11, 23 3/4l behind Fancy Stuff (10-7) at Ludlow 2m (4) gs in Dec.
Time Please 100-1 (11-4) Keen close up, pushed along and lost place 7th, pulled up 3 out, at Fakenham 2m 4f mdn (4) gs in Dec.
Watergrange Jack (IRE) 15-8fav (12-2) Led, headed 6f out, regained lead over 3f out, ridden 2f out, pressed inside final furlong, stayed on well close home, won at Kilbeggan 2m 3f gd in Sep beating One Last Tango (12-0) by 3/4l, 9 ran.
Wonderwall (IRE) 3-1 (10-12) Edgy, chased leaders, tracked leader 2nd until before 3 out, handy 3rd, 2nd again 2 out, led between last two, bad mistake last, soon headed and plugged on run-in, never able to recover, 2nd of 10, 2 1/4l behind Pull Again Green (10-12) at Newbury 2m 5f (4) gs in Dec.
Fine By Me (IRE) 28-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, closer at 6th, pushed along and weakened quickly before 3 out, mistake next, 6th of 8, 34 1/4l behind Mucho Mas (10-12) at Doncaster 2m 3f (3) gs in Dec.
