chased leaders, outpaced 3 out, in 4th and beat next, left in lead before omitted last hurdle, kept on (original 3rd, awarded race)
chased leader, led 2 out, jumped omitted last hurdle (finished 1st, disqualified and placed 10th)
held up mid-division, pushed along 3rd, never dangerous after (original 10th, placed 8th)
tracked leaders, hit 4th, ridden approaching 2 out, left 3rd before omitted last hurdle, weakened run-in, (finished 6th, placed 4th)
always behind (finished 8th, placed 6th)
always towards rear (finished 7th, placed 5th)
in touch, weakened approaching 3 out (finished 11th, placed 9th)
towards rear, weakened 3 out, left poor 4th approaching omitted last hurdle (finished 5th, placed 3rd)
led, ridden and headed when hit 2 out, jumped omitted last hurdle (finished 2nd, disqualified and placed last)
in rear, weakened approaching 3 out (finished 9th, placed 7th)
mid-division, tailed off when pulled up before 6th, dismounted
tracked leaders, ridden and outpaced 3 out, in 4th and beat after 2 out, kept on to take 2nd run-in (finished 4th, placed 2nd)
Daraybad, Bayard and Prize Fighter are the three for the shortlist and Daraybad is taken to make a winning hurdling debut. Following a good debut second at Warwick, beaten only haf a length by Le Corvee, Bayard landed the odds here last time in fine style. Carrying a penalty as a consequence, Bayard can still be expected to give a good account. Prize Fighter was a decent individual on the Flat, finishing the season on a mark of 88 and has done well since turning his attention to timber. A fine fourth in a hot Newbury contest on his debut was followed by a facile win over this course and distance. Brought down at the first last time, he will be hoping for better luck here. The JP McManus owned Daraybad has been the subject of very encouraging reports and the Nicky Henderson trained runner can show his class and make a winning debut. This French recruit is taken to make a winning debut. Daraybad can come out on top.
Bayard (USA) 4-9fav (10-12) With leader, led 5th, in command from 2 out, mistake last, eased flat, won at Fakenham 2m 3yo nov hdl (D) gd in Nov beating Knock Bridge (10-5) by 3l, 11 ran.
Prize Fighter (IRE) 4-1 (11-5) brought down in race won by Detroit City (10-12) at Newbury 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) gs, 24 ran.
Aviemore 80-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, ridden 4th soon weakened, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Prime Contender (11-0) at Warwick 2m 3yo nov hdl (B) sft in Dec, 16 ran.
Daraybad (FR) (9-2) Winner over 1m2f at Longchamp in May, latest start, 3rd of 8, 2l behind Quinmaster (9-2) at Clairefontaine 1m 3f stk gd in Aug (Flat).
Kirin 8-1 (8-11) Behind and never a factor, 10th of 14, 17l behind Blue Empire (8-10) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-60 (6) fbs (Flat).
Mightymuller (IRE) 28-1 (10-7) Towards rear, headway 5f out, ridden to chase leaders 3f out, soon weakened, 12th of 18, 27l behind Dand Nee (10-5) at Doncaster 1m 5f nhf (H) gf in Dec.
Moment of Clarity 200-1 (10-9) Always behind, tailed off 3 out, 9th of 12, well behind Gardasee (11-12) at Wetherby 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) hvy.
Monash Lad (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Took keen hold, led, hit 1st, jumped slowly 3rd, headed approaching 5th, weakened soon after 2 out, 4th of 5, 9l behind Onnix (10-10) at Lingfield 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) hvy.
My Immortal 8-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, chased leaders approaching 4 out, weakened after 3 out, 6th of 15, 30l behind Blue Shark (11-0) at Chepstow 2m nov hdl Grd 1 (A) gs in Dec.
Turn On The Style 6-1 (8-11) Held up, ridden halfway, eased when no impression inside final furlong, 8th of 11, 10l behind Johnston's Diamond (8-10) at Haydock 6f stk 0-80 (4) gs in Sept (Flat).
Annals 200-1 (10-5) Always behind, tailed off, 8th of 12, well behind Gardasee (11-12) at Wetherby 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) hvy.
Beaumont Girl (IRE) 50-1 (10-5) Prominent, jumped right and unseated rider in race won by Baie des Flamands (10-12) at Hereford 2m 1f 3yo mdn hdl (E) gd in Nov, 16 ran.
Mystery Lot (IRE) 9-4fav (10-0) Close up, headway to track leading pair 3 out, weakened next, 6th of 13, 20l behind Alright Now M'Lad (11-4) at Plumpton 2m nov hdl (4) sft.
