held up towards rear, headway after 7th, ridden and weakened before 3 out, pulled up before 3 out
held up in rear, mistake 6th, weakened and pulled up before 3 out
not always fluent, chased leader, led before 3 out, ridden and stayed on well flat
led, headed before 3 out, 3rd and held from 2 out, plugged on
chased leaders, not fluent 6th, pushed along and outpaced after 8th, weakened 3 out, tailed off
raced wide, held up in rear, keen early, headway after 8th, switched left and went 2nd from 3 out, not fluent 2 out, hung left 120 yards out, held but stayed on
chased leaders, jumped right 3rd, not fluent 5th, weakened before 2 out
It took Coolbane Boy 11 attempts to get off the mark and others are less exposed. My Bobby Dazzler has had eight runs over hurdles but has won three times and his form has reached a new level since stepped up to 3m. Not At Present is on a roll and stays well but the step up in trip shouldn’t be a problem for UNANSWERED PRAYERS. He has placed between the flags and has proved very progressive over hurdles with his second to Challow Hurdle winner Stage Star at Newbury the stand-out form in this. Mahler Mission won in a canter at Sedgefield but will not be allowed to dominate the same extent here and this looks a big ask for Bridge North and The Real Whacker.
Bridge North (IRE) 5-4fav (11-8) Chased leaders, pushed along final bend, went 2nd after 3 out, challenged last, led flat, driven out, won at Ludlow 2m 5f mdn (4) sft in Jan beating Phantom Getaway (11-8) by 3/4l, 9 ran.
Coolbane Boy (IRE) 11-2 (11-12) Mid division, headway to go 2nd home turn, ridden to lead 3 out, pressed on last, kept on well flat, eased down final 100 yards, won at Musselburgh 3m hcp (4) gs in Jan beating Cooldine Bog (11-11) by 4 3/4l, 6 ran.
Mahler Mission (IRE) 13-8fav (11-8) Made all, came clear before 2 out, unchallenged, won at Sedgefield 2m 4f mdn (4) gs in Jan beating Betty Baloo (11-1) by 14l, 8 ran.
My Bobby Dazzler 15-2 (10-13) Prominent, outpaced after 3 out, stayed on flat, went 4th towards finsih, 4th of 14, 6 1/4l behind Dolphin Square (11-6) at Cheltenham 3m hcp (2) sft in Jan.
Not At Present (IRE) 9-2 (12-0) Held up, niggled along early, pushed along off pace 2 out, looked to have no chance last when stayed on strongly run-in, got up close home, won at Fontwell 3m 2f hcp (4) sft in Dec beating Khan (11-6) by 3/4l, 7 ran.
The Real Whacker (IRE) 22-1 (11-4) In rear, in touch, not fluent 4 out, effort and headway into 3rd before 2 out, pushed along after 2 out, strongly pressed leaders before last, not fluent final flight, ridden and led 1f out on run-in, won going away, won at Carlisle 3m 1f mdn (4) sft in Dec beating Best Trition (11-4) by 7l, 5 ran.
Unanswered Prayers (IRE) 6-4 (11-9) Chased leaders, mistake 2nd, pushed along in 3rd over 2 out, ridden into 2nd before last, led after last and ran on well, won at Wincanton 2m 5f (4) sft in Jan beating Flemenstide (11-9) by 2 1/4l, 9 ran.
