tracked leader, jumped left 6th, not fluent 5 out, led 2 out, ridden clear last
held up, went 3rd at 9th, ridden 4 out, plugged on same pace from 2 out
fell 1st
tracked leaders, not fluent 9th, soon lost place, tailed off when pulled up 2 out
in touch in rear, headway 12th, ridden 3 out, kept on same pace from next
led, ridden and headed 2 out, blundered next, kept on one pace
NonRunner
Its'afreebee hasn’t run over fences since 2017 but has a good career strike-rate and has run well fresh in the past so is worth a market check. Eureu Du Boulay is useful when in the mood, as he was over hurdles in France last month. Encore Champs was no match for Nube Negra here in October and then took on useful opposition at Newbury so should find this is easier. Thomas Todd made a winning reappearance over course and distance when making all but may get taken on for the lead today. KILBREW BOY (NAP) won over hurdles here a year ago and beat a previous winner at Wincanton earlier this month on only his second run over fences. He has 5lb more to carry here but should continue heading in the right direction.
Encore Champs (IRE) 6-1 (10-12) Tracked leader, went left 8th, lost 2nd next, pushed along and lost place before 4 out, no chance after, 6th of 8, 17l behind Fanion D'estruval (11-1) at Newbury 2m hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Its'afreebee (IRE) 5-1 (11-12) Raced keenly, held up in last pair, steady headway into 4th place before 3 out, 2nd soon after 3 out, every chance last, edged left and stayed on same pace run-in, 2nd of 7, 1 3/4l behind Always Resolute (11-10) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp (4) gd in Jan.
Volt Face (FR) 20-1 (11-12) Led after 1st to 6th, chased winner from 12th, every chance 3 out, ridden and beaten after 2 out, 2nd of 12, 9l behind Fortunes Hiding (11-3) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp (4) gd in May.
Kilbrew Boy (IRE) 7-2cfav (12-1) Chased leaders, joined leader 7th, led 9th, challenged from 3 out, ran on well, won at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Dec beating Duc Kauto (11-1) by 1 1/4l, 10 ran.
Nobel Leader (IRE) 6-1 (11-8) Took keen hold, prominent on outside by 2nd, led 4th, headed 9th, weakened last, 5th of 7, 23 1/2l behind Hes No Trouble (12-0) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Thomas Todd 9-2 (11-0) Made all, not fluent 12th and last, ran on strongly, won at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp (4) gd in Oct beating Twasn't The Plan (11-9) by 3 3/4l, 6 ran.
Eureu Du Boulay (FR) (10-7) won at Fontainebleau 2m 5f hvy in Nov beating Birdparker (11-4) by 18l, 6 ran.
