led, bumped 5th, mistake and headed 2 out, ridden and lost 2nd between last two, kept on same pace in 3rd
pushed along and struggling before 3 out, behind most of way
mid-division, pushed along after 4 out, weakened approaching and mistake next
held up towards rear, good headway before 3 out, soon tracking leader, led 2 out, went right and narrowly headed last, driven and stayed on same pace run-in
chased leader, went left 5th, hit 4 out, pushed along and lost 2nd before 3 out, chased leaders, weakened soon after 3 out
in touch, ridden after 4 out, pushed along and one pace in 5th after 3 out, not fluent 2 out, soon weakened
took keen hold, tracked leaders, pushed along in 3rd before 3 out, weakened under pressure before next
towards rear, ridden and struggling after 3 out, never involved
held up in mid-division, headway chasing leaders after 4 out, 2nd before 3 out until before next, chased leaders, weakened between last two
in touch in mid-division, pushed along after 4 out, soon weakened
always towards rear, no chance when unseated rider last
raced wide, chased leaders, weakened approaching 4 out
held up towards rear, pushed along and looked struggling before 4 out, steady headway approaching next, went 2nd between last two, led narrowly last, driven out
chased leaders, pushed along and weakened before 4 out
in rear, tailed off and pulled up after 4 out
Rockportian lost his unbeaten record with a very disappointing run at Leicester yesterday so it will be a surprise if turning up here. BARRD looked to have limitations exposed at Sandown last time but it was a decent contest and he'd previously scored with something to spare in a bumper at the Esher venue. Nicky Henderson does well here with his novice hurdlers and he can continue the trend. Monkey Puzzle looks an interesting recruit from the pointing arena for Oliver Sherwood, whilst Dubh Des Champs is a newcomer to note for Harry Fry and money for either would be of significance. Gustave Mahler didn't perform too badly on hurdling debut and has an each-way shout.
Gustave Mahler (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Led, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, no chance with front pair from next, 3rd of 15, 22 3/4l behind Geordie Des Champs (11-10) at Chepstow 2m 3f (4) gd in Dec.
Kings Eclipse (IRE) 200-1 (10-12) Always behind, driven along and struggling before 3 out, tailed off, 5th of 7, dist behind No Comment (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 3f (4) gs in Nov.
Let's Tango (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) In touch, pushed along after 7th, weakening when slightly hampered 3 out, 6th of 10, 37 3/4l behind Westendorf (10-12) at Leicester 2m 4f (4) gs in Nov.
Monkey Puzzle 8-1 (11-10) Twrds rr, prog 3out & went 2nd 2out, no ex aftr 2out & 5l 3rd when lft 2nd at last, so, 2nd of 15, 5l behind Searching For Gold (11-10) at Ballindenisk 3m mdn gs in May.
Mortens Leam 12-1 (10-12) With leader, led 2nd, not fluent 4th, headed 3 out, not fluent 2 out, no extra flat, 4th of 8, 14l behind Gray Day (10-12) at Leicester 2m 4f (4) gd in Dec.
Novemberstorm (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Held up, behind, pushed along before 3 out, never dangerous, last of 7, dist behind No Hassle Hoff (11-0) at Hereford 3m 2f mdn (5) sft in Nov.
Rio Bravo (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, chased leaders over 4f out, outpaced in 4th 3f out, ridden 2f out, stayed on to take modest 3rd inside final furlong, 3rd of 6, 24 1/4l behind Kayf Mariner (11-0) at Bangor 2m 1f (6) sft in Dec.
Sunnytahliateigan (IRE) 40-1 (11-0) Behind, headway approaching 7th, chased leaders approaching 3 out, weakened well before next, tailed off, 6th of 9, dist behind Kimberlite Candy (11-0) at Ascot 2m 3f mdn (3) gs in Nov.
The Two Amigos 50-1 (10-12) Held up in mid-division, not fluent 5th, well beaten next, 10th of 16, 28 3/4l behind Glaring (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m (4) gs in Dec.
Triopas (IRE) 80-1 (11-2) Mid-division, under pressure 4th, headway to chase leaders when unseated rider 5th, at Ludlow 2m mdn (4) gs in Dec.
Venturepredementia 200-1 (10-12) Mid-division, closed 8f out, outpaced final 4f, 8th of 12, 20 1/4l behind Getaway Whiskey (10-12) at Catterick 2m (6) gd in Nov.
Zolfo (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Tracked leader early, mistake 4 out, soon weakened, last of 6, dist behind Above Board (10-12) at Carlisle 2m 3f (4) sft in Dec.
Just Milly (IRE) 40-1 (10-10) Held up in touch towards rear, not much room 2nd, not fluent 3 out, soon weakened, 5th of 7, 19 1/2l behind Poppy Kay (10-10) at Uttoxeter 2m (4) sft in Nov.
Keepin Time 66-1 (10-13) Always towards rear, 9th of 12, 32 1/2l behind Asum (11-6) at Taunton 2m mdn (4) gd in Dec.
Takashiba (IRE) 6-1 (11-7) (xnb), at Chaddesley Corbett 2m 4f mdn sft in Dec.
Alfie's Choice (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Held up, in rear, mistake and struggling 6th, 11th of 18, dist behind Rolling Dylan (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn (4) sft in Nov.
Bardd (IRE) 9-4 (10-12) Not always fluent, tracked leading trio, bumped by loose horse 2nd, jumped slowly 4th, pushed along and left 3rd before 2 out, ridden and one pace between last 2, no chance with 1st 2, lost modest 3rd run-in, 4th of 9, 14 1/4l behind Dashing Oscar (11-4) at Sandown 2m (3) gs in Dec.
Dubh Des Champs (IRE) Robin Des Champs gelding out of Aneda Dubh.
Rockportian (IRE) 5-4fav (11-0) Made all, ridden and ran green final furlong, kept on well, won at Uttoxeter 2m (5) gd in May beating Senatus (10-10) by 3 1/4l, 13 ran.
Speedy Runaway (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Led until 2nd, chased leaders, pushed along and hit 3 out, weakened before next, 9th of 13, dist behind London Prize (10-12) at Leicester 2m (4) gd in Dec.
Tower Of Allen (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Mid-division, in 6th before 3 out, ridden and weakened before last, 6th of 13, 13l behind Lisheen Prince (10-12) at Ffos Las 2m 4f mdn (5) gs in Nov.
Nightfly 4-1 (10-10) Held up in touch towards rear, effort after 7th, 2nd before 3 out until approaching 2 out, no extra from last, 4th of 6, 16 1/4l behind Miss Spent (10-10) at Huntingdon 2m 4f (4) gs in Nov.