tracked leaders in 3rd, led on bit before last, shaken up and soon clear, eased towards finish, readily
with leader, led 2nd, hit next, headed before 4 out, niggled and looking one pace in 4th when fell 3 out
held up towards rear but in touch, ridden after 2 out, kept on to take 2nd last 50 yards, no chance with winner
led and keen, raced wide, headed 2nd, jumped slow and lost place 4 out
in rear, efoort before 3 out, never dangerous
Steve Gollings has a very nice recruit to hurdling in LOCAL HERO, who landed a maiden on the Flat at Catterick in November on only his third start before cantering all over his eight rivals on his hurdling debut at Wetherby. He looks destined for much better things and should take this under the champion jockey. Franklino, a winner on the Flat in France and at Ponterfract in the spring, has so far disappointed over timber when strongly fancied but shouldn't be written off just yet. Eltheeb, a winner for John Dunlop at Goodwood in May, looks best of the newcomers though Clear Alternative showed a glimmer of ability for Dermot Weld last summer.
Local Hero (GER) 4-6fav (10-12) Held up mid-division, took slight hold, headway 4 out, led on bit after 3 out, clear approaching last, hard held, won at Wetherby 2m 3yo mdn hdl (5) sft in Nov beating Dhaafer (10-12) by 6l, 9 ran.
Clear Alternative (IRE) 7-1 (9-5) Mid-division, ridden along 4f out, weakened, 9th of 11, 28l behind Clearwater Bay (9-5) at Galway 1m 4f 3yo mdn gf in Aug (flat).
Eltheeb 8-1 (9-6) Raced wide held up, headway over 2f out, ridden to chase leader over 1f out, kept on, one pace, 3rd of 13, 3l behind Piano (9-4) at Lingfield 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Oct (flat).
Franklino (FR) 11-8fav (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway after 4th, ridden 3 out, weakened next, 7th of 11, 17l behind Tiptronic (10-9) at Hereford 2m 1f 3yo hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Minortransgression (USA) 9-1 (9-4) Towadrds rear, in touch halfway, outpaced when not much room 4f out, weakened 2f out, 4th of 7, 23l behind Dontpaytheferryman (10-1) at Southwell 1m 4f app hcp 0-65 (6) fbs (flat).
Aim'ees Star 100-1 (8-12) Behind, ridden 2f out, never near leaders, 7th of 10, 11l behind Boy The Bell (8-10) at Wolverhampton 6f mdn auc stks (6) pol in Nov (flat).