held up in 4th, headway after 5th, went 2nd 2 out, soon ridden and no impression on winner, went left last, one pace
in rear, not fluent 4th or 5th, soon outpaced, well behind before 3 out
made all, jumped right, not fluent 2 out or last, clear flat, stayed on well
chased winner, ridden after 3 out, 3rd and one pace from next
tracked leaders, not fluent 1st or 2nd, outpaced before 3 out, soon weakened
MAHLERDRAMATIC, who won bumpers at Market Rasen and Aintree last autumn, looks a nice prospect for hurdles and is marginally preferred to another former pointer, Minella Rebellion, in what looks a virtual match. The latter is making his debut under Rules but shouldn't take long to open his account. Focaccia has been a disappointment so far while Vancouver appeared to go backwards in bumpers after a debut second at Southwell.
Focaccia (IRE) 40-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, weakened after 3 out, last of 8, dist behind Geordie Des Champs (11-4) at Aintree 2m 4f (4) gs in Nov.
Gasoline (IRE) 200-1 (10-12) In touch, ridden and weakened 3 out, fell next, at Huntingdon 2m (4) gd in Nov.
Mahlerdramatic (IRE) 11-2 (11-7) Tracked leaders, went 2nd over 4f out, led over 2f out, stayed on, won at Aintree 2m 1f (4) sft in Nov beating Golden Investment (11-0) by 2 1/4l, 8 ran.
Minella Rebellion (IRE) 2-1 (11-10) Mid div, 8th frm 4th, prog 4th 6out, disp 3out, ld gng best 3out, 3l adv & up last, no ex flat & hdd nr fin, 2nd of 9, nk behind Benechenko (11-10) at Dawstown 3m mdn in May.
Vancouver 33-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened, 7th of 13, 14 1/2l behind Mr One More (11-0) at Bangor 2m 1f (6) gd in Oct.