chased leading trio, lost place 9th, pushed along after next, rallied to modest 4th and hit 13th, blundered next, weakened to 5th before 4 out, tailed off when blundered next and pulled up
pressed winnner, narrow lead 12th until before 4 out, stayed upsides and every chance until driven after 2 out, tried to rally last, no extra and held final 100 yards
led, narrowly headed 12th, pressed leader, pushed along to slight lead again and edged left from before 4 out, driven before last, hung left flat, stayed on best to assert final 100 yards
took keen hold, went left 1st, tracked leading pair until 10th, went left and mistake 12th, dropped to last and struggling next, went poor 4th before 4 out, stayed on flat pressing for 3rd
held up last, mistake 5th, steady headway 8th (water), went 3rd at 10th, no chance with leading duo when went left final 4, just held on for 3rd
Gullinbursti and HAWKES POINT are of a similar level over timber. The former disappointed at Haydock last time but had ran well on his chasing bow over these fences and can figure again. However, the latter is just preferred as he found only Opening Batsman too good on his first start over the larger obstacles and will have benefited for the experience. Tom George wastes no time sending High Ho Sheriff chasing after winning a hurdles race at Chepstow and he makes more appeal than Valoroso.
Great Gusto (IRE) 11-4 (11-3) Led, ran wide on paddock bend and headed after 5th, led again next, ridden approaching 3 out, idled before last, driven out, won at Chepstow 3m NH mdn hdl (5) sft in Mar beating Finnegan Paddy (10-12) by 1 3/4l, 11 ran.
Gullinbursti (IRE) 7-2 (11-1) Close up, ridden 4 out, weakened 2 out, 5th of 6, well behind Poungach (11-1) at Haydock 2m 6f nov chs (2) sft in Nov.
Hawkes Point 11-8fav (11-0) Tracked leader, challenged 9th, led narrowly 10th, headed 3 out, led again before 2 out, driven between last 2, headed last, stayed on same pace flat, 2nd of 6, 3/4l behind Opening Batsman (11-0) at Plumpton 2m 4f beg chs (3) sft in Dec.
High Ho Sheriff (IRE) 5-1 (10-12) Tracked leader, left in lead when hung right paddock bend after 5th, made rest, ridden and narrow advantage when left 6 lengths clear 3 out, driven out, won at Chepstow 3m nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Dec beating He's The Daddy (10-9) by 23l, 4 ran.
Valoroso 9-4 (12-0) 4th of 8, 16l behind Halfway Cut (12-0) at Woodford 3m ptp gf in Apr '11.
Accordingtopalm (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Tracked leader, driven to challenge 2 out, led last, stayed on well, won at Ffos Las 2m nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Dec beating Enchanting Smile (10-5) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
