mid-division, ridden before 3 out, weakened 2 out
prominent, led before 3 out, pushed along 2 out, faced strong challenge last, ridden and headed run-in, held final 110 yards
chased leaders, dropped away quickly 4 out, soon pulled up
in rear, headway to chase front rank 3 out, ridden before 2 out, no impression when not fluent last, ran on same pace
mid-division, dropped to rear after 5th, headway approaching 3 out, disputed 2nd 2 out, ridden and pressed leaders approaching last, led run-in, stayed on gamely
tracked leaders, pushed along before 3 out, stayed on until no extra from before last
towards rear, not fluent 4 out and ridden, weakened tamely before next, pulled up
mid-division, pushed along before 3 out where not fluent, ridden 2 out, pressed leaders approaching last, ran on, no extra towards finish
led, pushed along and headed before 3 out, soon weakened and tailed off quickly
towards rear, reminders after 5th, headway into mid-division 4 out, chased leader 3 out, ridden before 2 out, weakened before last
STAY AWAY FAY joined Paul Nicholls for £305,000 after landing a point at Lingstown. He's the only one of these without an official rating but Heezer Geezer, who he beat five lengths on his hurdling debut at Newbury, is now on 129 after winning subsequently and with normal progress he can remain unbeaten. John McConnell isn't one for wasting journeys and Grand Soir is worth his place after completing a hat-trick in Ireland while Maximilian broke a blood vessel when attempting a five-timer in a Grade 2 at Sandown so did well to finish third. The point-to-pointer and hunter-chaser Twig had an easy task over hurdles at Kempton and this is very much tougher but Idalko Bihoue drops down in class having performed with credit in the Grade 1 Challow Hurdle at Newbury.
Grand Soir (FR) 9-4jfav (12-0) Held up, progress into 4th after 3 out, soon ridden and responded to go 3rd before straight, headway to challenge and lead after 2 out, 2 lengths clear last, kept on well, won at Thurles 2m 7f Yielding in Dec beating Level Neverending (11-6) by 2 3/4l, 6 ran.
Hurricane Bay 2-1fav (11-7) Soon led, edged left bend and headed after 5th, led before next, ridden and headed before 2 out, no impression on winner flat, lost 2nd close home, 3rd of 13, 4l behind Supreme Gift (11-7) at Huntingdon 2m 4f (4) gs in Dec.
Idalko Bihoue (FR) 18-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders on inside, pushed along home turn, plugged on in modest 3rd from 2 out, 3rd of 12, 14 1/4l behind Hermes Allen (11-7) at Newbury 2m 5f (1) sft in Dec.
Mahons Glory (IRE) 14-1 (11-4) Edged right start and slowly away, held up towards rear, switched right and headway 2 out, challenged last, led and edged left flat, holding 2nd towards finish, won at Aintree 2m 4f mdn (3) gs in Oct beating Heezer Geezer (11-4) by 3/4l, 8 ran.
Maximilian (GER) 11-4 (11-2) Raced in close 4th, not fluent 3rd and dropped to rear, bit closer out wide 4 out, pushed along and outpaced after next, rallied approaching 2 out, went modest 3rd between last two, 3rd of 6, 8 1/4l behind Henri The Second (11-2) at Sandown 2m 4f (1) sft in Dec.
Park This One (IRE) 8-15fav (11-12) Handy, reminders after 3rd, led after 5th, faced challenge home turn, ridden 2 out, kept on and drew clear run-in, readily, won at Catterick 2m 3f (4) sft in Jan beating Happywifehappylife (10-12) by 5l, 7 ran.
Rock On Cowboy (IRE) 28-1 (11-7) Pressed winner, ridden after 2 out, disputing 3rd and outpaced before last, well held flat, 6th of 13, 29 1/2l behind Weveallbeencaught (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 4f mdn (2) gs in Jan.
Stay Away Fay (IRE) 15-8fav (11-0) Chased leaders on inside, closer out wide into 2nd 2 out, still plenty to do but closed before the last, led run-in, soon pushed readily clear, won at Newbury 2m 5f (3) gd in Nov beating Heezer Geezer (11-0) by 5l, 10 ran.
The Wounded Knee 20-1 (11-8) Led until after 3rd, chased leader, led before 2 out, driven and edged right flat, headed towards finish, 2nd of 10, 3/4l behind Mofasa (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m 4f (2) gd in Oct.
Twig 1-4fav (11-0) Chased leaders, went 2nd before 3rd, led approaching 2 out, soon clear, eased inside final 100 yards, won at Kempton 2m 5f (4) gs in Nov beating Ajp Kingdom (11-0) by 14l, 6 ran.
