held up in rear, headway to get in behind leaders 6th, weakened soon after next, eased, tailed off
led until 2nd, chased leader until after next, stayed in 3rd until ridden and outpaced after 4 out, tailed off
jumped left, with leader, led 2nd, went left and headed 4th, chased winner after, jumped left final 3, challenged towards finish, always held
in touch, headway to 3rd 4 out, ridden and outpaced before 3 out, stayed in 3rd, no chance when went badly left last
tracked leaders, went 2nd after 3rd, led next, driven and stayed on gamely flat
tracked leading trio, dropped to rear 6th, went modest 4th again after 4 out
It's a while since City Theatre showed any worthwhile for though he has fallen to an attractive mark as has Hohlethelonely, who showed a bit more in first-time blinkers at Bangor before Christmas. Small Fly was well beaten in a seller at Leicester on Wednesday and Pipe Banner hasn't raced since May so this could be a good opportunity for OFF THE GROUND. Emma Lavelle's son of Oscar is lightly raced and his latest fourth behind Ballyrock came in above-average maiden hurdle at Hereford - this may well be less competitive.
Pipe Banner 9-1 (11-5) Mid-division, in touch 5th, outpaced after 2 out (usual 3 out), ridden and stayed on to chase leading pair before bypassed last, never on terms, 3rd of 12, 6l behind Kylenoe Fairy (10-4) at Newton Abbot 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gf in May.
City Theatre (IRE) 40-1 (10-12) Pressed leader, lost place approaching 6th, behind when mistake next, tailed off, 7th of 11, well behind Christopher Wren (11-2) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Dec.
Off The Ground (IRE) 4-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway on inner 4 out, in 4th and no impression from 2 out, 4th of 15, 6l behind Ballyrock (11-0) at Hereford 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) sft in Dec.
Small Fly (IRE) 17-2 (10-12) Tracked leaders, joined leader after 6th, led 2 out (usual 3 out), ridden and headed after last (usual 2 out), no impression flat, 2nd of 7, 9l behind Ministerofinterior (10-11) at Leicester 2m 4f sll hdl (5) gd in Dec.
Hohlethelonely 15-2 (10-11) Tracked leaders, led 8th, headed 2 out, one pace, 3rd of 8, 6l behind Radmores Revenge (11-2) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) hvy in Dec.
Pearl (IRE) 50-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, not fluent 6th, weakened 3 out, tailed off, 8th of 13, 47l behind Black Mac (11-2) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) sft in Dec.
Bariolo (FR) 80-1 (10-12) Settled towards rear, headway approaching 2 out, never dangerous, 7th of 14, 31l behind Trip The Light (10-12) at Plumpton 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
