took keen hold, tracked leader, led before 3 out until 3 out, chased winner until next, ridden and no extra in 3rd before the last
tracked leaders, 2nd before led 2 out, 1 length ahead when edged left approaching last, ridden clear run-in, eased close home
towards rear, never involved
raced wide, in mid-division, headway tracking leaders approaching 4th, close 3rd and every chance 3 out, went 2nd 2 out, ridden and 1 length down before last, no extra run-in
blundered 1st, last pair, never a factor, tailed off
always behind, tailed off 5th, pulled up before next
took keen hold, in mid-division, ridden in 5th before 3 out, modest 4th and no impression next
always in rear, tailed off 5th
always rear division, tailed off 5th, pulled up before next
led until before 3 out, chased leaders, weakened next
chased leaders, pushed along before 4th, weakened before next
always about same pace, in mid-division, pushed along and struggling in 5th place and no headway after 5th, weakened before next, tailed off
AIR HORSE ONE has contested hot handicap hurdles at Cheltenham this term and was far from disgraced when staying on up the hill last time into fourth behind Kapstadt. He has yet to really fulfil his considerable bumper promise but should fully appreciate the return to maiden hurdle company and can register a first win over timber. What Else looks an interesting recruit from the pointing arena and Coeur Blimey was back to form last time for the Gardners and looks the main danger on that evidence. He ran well in a number of high-quality bumper contests and now looks to be getting his act together over timber. Ian Williams enjoyed a fine December with his string and fields a viable each-way contender in Jam Session, a fair second behind Templier on his sole start over hurdles this season and a useful Flat performer. Minella For Me is a hurdling newcomer worth a check in the market.
Admiral's Secret 33-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway before 6th, lost place approaching 3 out, closed 2 out, 3rd before last, no impression, 3rd of 14, 10 1/2l behind Report To Base (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m (4) gs in Nov.
Air Horse One 4-1 (11-0) Mid-division, lost place 2nd, not fluent 3rd, niggled along next, headway after 2 out, stayed on, no impression, 4th of 13, 8 3/4l behind Kapstadt (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp (3) gd in Dec.
Argus (IRE) 10-1 (9-2) Close up, ridden 3f out, soon weakened, 10th of 12, 19 1/2l behind To Be Wild (8-13) at Doncaster 1m 4f hcp (2) gd in Oct.
Coeur Blimey (IRE) 13-8 (10-12) Tracked leaders, headway before 2 out, kept on and always well held by winner, 2nd of 6, 1 3/4l behind Above Board (10-12) at Carlisle 2m 3f (4) sft in Dec.
Cordey Warrior 15-8 (10-12) Led 4f, tracked leader, dropped to 3rd halfway, outpaced over 4f out, no chance with clear pair after, tailed off, 3rd of 4, 23 3/4l behind Pokari (10-12) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f (6) gd in Sep.
Follow The Master 14-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, mistake 4th, hit next, mistake 4 out, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out, at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp (5) sft in Apr.
Jam Session (IRE) 6-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, ridden in 3rd after 3 out, no impression on winner, stayed on same pace, took 2nd close home, 2nd of 14, 8l behind Templier (10-7) at Plumpton 2m (4) gs in Dec.
Keating (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Held up in 6th, hit 4th, headway on inside when hit 3 out, left in 4th place before 2 out, plugged on into modest 3rd run-in, 3rd of 9, 13 1/4l behind Dashing Oscar (11-4) at Sandown 2m (3) gs in Dec.
Merchant In Milan (IRE) 7-4 (11-10) Ld, hdd 3rd, wknd 6out, mstk in rr 5out, no ex & pu bef 3 out, at Tattersalls Farm 3m mdn sft in Nov.
Minella For Me (IRE) 3-1 (11-3) Led chasing group after 5f, closed over 4f out, led over 3f out until 2f out, no chance with very easy winner but well clear of rest, 2nd of 11, 13l behind Capitaine (10-12) at Wincanton 1m 7f (6) gs in Apr.
Some Chaos (IRE) 50-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, outpaced and no impression over 3f out, 7th of 13, 18 1/2l behind Cause Toujours (11-0) at Warwick 2m (6) sft in Dec.
What Else (IRE) 3-1 (12-1) Ww rr, 9th 6out & sl prog in 6th aftr 5out, 4th & further prog aftr 2out, went 2nd at last, ld cl home, won at Athlacca 3m gd in May beating Rare Conor (12-1) by hd, 12 ran.
Kristjano (GER) 9-4fav (9-3) Tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, kept on towards finish, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Fern Owl (9-5) at Kempton 2m hcp (5) pol in Sep.
