led until approaching 3 out, lead again before next, shaken up approaching last, ran on well
held up in touch, slow 6th, ridden to challenge 2 out, weakened approaching last
mid-division, reminders 4th, soon under pressure, behind when pulled up 4 out
held up in rear, not fluent 2nd, behind when pulled up before 3 out
held up in touch, mistake 5th, soon lost place, tailed off
held up in rear, headway before 3 out, ridden to challenge next, soon one pace
tracked leader, ridden 6th, weakened before 3 out
chased leaders, led approaching 3 out, headed before next, soon weakened
chased leaders, effort 2 out, kept on under pressure, no chance with winner
held up towards rear, under pressure 5th, soon behind, pulled up 3 out
held up in touch, under pressure halfway, soon weakened
CARLICUE found the mare Alverstone too good when well supported for his hurdling debut at Chepstow. But the winner looks a useful novice and Paul Nicholls' point-to-point winner is fancied to go one better here. After one run in a bumper, Alan King has wasted no time in sending Tales To Tell over hurdles and he'll appreciate today's trip. Duneen Point was third over 3m here on his first start for Tim Vaughan and could make the frame again, but Journeyman and Letmespeak may need more time and Roalco De Farges needs to improve on his well-beaten third at Wincanton to figure here.
Carlicue (IRE) 11-4fav (11-0) Tracked leaders and keen, chased winner approaching 3 out, ridden and about a length down when mistake 2 out, no chance with winner approaching last, 2nd of 12, 14l behind Alverstone (10-2) at Chepstow 3m mdn hdl (5) gs in Oct.
Duneen Point (IRE) 10-1 (10-12) Tracked leader until after 8th, ridden 3 out, kept on flat, 3rd of 6, 5l behind Teaforthree (10-12) at Ffos Las 3m nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
John Sixteen (IRE) 200-1 (10-9) Always in rear, 11th after 5th, never dangerous, tailed off, 15th of 16, well behind State Benefit (10-12) at Ffos Las 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Journeyman (IRE) 15-8fav (11-0) Tracked leaders, close 3rd 3f out, soon ridden, weakened well over 1f out, 10th of 12, 20l behind Mintiverdi (11-0) at Kempton 2m Nat Hunt Flat (4-6yo) (AWT) (6) std in Dec.
Letmespeak (IRE) 7-1 (10-12) Mid-division, blundered 4th, reminder next, headway after 6th, no chance with winner when jumped left and went 2nd 2 out, lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 13, 23l behind Silver Gypsy (10-5) at Uttoxeter 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Lexicon Lad (IRE) 7-1 (10-12) Led to after 3rd, with leader, lost place 3 out, soon ridden and one pace, 6th of 16, 20l behind Pride In Battle (10-12) at Newbury 2m 3f NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) gd in Dec.
Ostaadi 50-1 (11-0) Not fluent in rear, tailed off and pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Our Father (11-0) at Chepstow 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) sft, 15 ran.
Roalco De Farges (FR) 13-2 (10-12) Took keen hold in touch, headway 6th, chased leaders and hit next, 3rd after 3 out, ridden before next, soon outpaced and no chance with leading duo, hit last, 3rd of 16, 24l behind Buck Magic (10-7) at Wincanton 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Saffron Lord 66-1 (11-0) Held up mid-division, weakened from 4 out, 6th of 11, 39l behind Tornado Bob (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) hvy in Dec.
Tales To Tell (IRE) 7-2 (11-0) Chased leaders, ridden 5f out, stayed on under pressure final 2f, no impression, 4th of 17, 4 1/2l behind Shuil Royale (11-0) at Warwick 2m NH flat (6) sft in Dec.
Railway Diva (IRE) 50-1 (10-5) Always behind, tailed off, 10th of 16, 44l behind Golden Chieftain (10-12) at Chepstow 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
