raced wide in last pair, ridden and struggling after 5th, tailed off
close up until weakened before 3 out, tailed off
held up, headway and hit 4th, weakening when went right 3 out, tailed off
chased leaders, went 2nd 3 out, challeneged on outside and hit 2 out, upsides and hit last, driven and stayed on to lead final 150 yard
pressed leader, led 3rd, ridden and headed before 2 out, soon weakened
close up on inside, headway to 3rd 3 out, led approaching 2 out, joined and went left 2 out, went left last, foung no extra and headed final 150 yards
held up in rear, reminders after 5th, headway to 4th after 3 out, went poor 3rd 2 out
led, narrowly headed 3rd, chased leader until 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off
Meister Eckhart arrives on the back of a couple of wins in bumpers and should go well on his first start over hurdles. Prankster was a decent performer on the Flat in France back in 2009 and could make his presence felt, but it's another French import in the shape of REALMONT that makes more appeal. He's also having his first start since 2009 when he finished placed in a couple of chases at Auteuil behind none other than today's King George favourite Long Run. If he runs anywhere near that form back over hurdles on his debut for Donald McCain, he's clearly the one to beat. Valley Lad makes most appeal of the remainder.
Boo Boo Booyakasha 100-1 (10-13) Behind, tailed off when pulled up after 5th, in a race won by Henry King (11-9) at Taunton 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Mar, 14 ran.
Captain Scarlett (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Raced wide, chased winner until 3rd, soon lost place, behind and struggling 7th, tailed off, last of 10, well behind Gullinbursti (11-5) at Hereford 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Classic Euro (IRE) 150-1 (10-7) Towards rear, weakened from 4th, tailed off, 11th of 12, well behind Jumps Road (10-12) at Ffos Las 2m nh nov hdl (4) hvy.
Meister Eckhart (IRE) 4-5fav (12-0) Disputed early, chased leader in 2nd after 4f, improved to challenge 3f out, soon led, pushed out and kept on well from 2f out, comfortably, won at Naas 2m 3f N H flat in Oct beating Ravensbury (12-0) by 6l, 5 ran.
Realmont (FR) (10-5) 3rd of 13, 1 1/2l behind Rubi Ball (10-5) at Auteuil(FR) 2m 4f 4yo chs Grd 1 (1) sft in May '09.
Valley Lad (IRE) 7-2 (11-0) In touch, hit 4 out, plugged on for remote 3rd, 3rd of 12, 37l behind Top Of The Range (10-11) at Ffos Las 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) sft in Nov.
Al Shababiya (IRE) 100-1 (10-5) Always behind, 9th of 14, well behind Lets Get Serious (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) sft.
Western Kate (IRE) 100-1 (10-2) Held up towards rear, tailed off from 4th, 7th of 12, 41l behind Jumps Road (10-12) at Ffos Las 2m nh nov hdl (4) hvy.
Prankster 9-2 (8-9) 5th of 6, 13l behind Wajir (9-4) at Longchamp(FR) 1m 7f 3yo Grp 3 (1) gs in Sep '09 (flat).