tracked leaders, took keen hold, went 2nd from 2nd until fell 4 out
held up towards rear, stayed on from 2 out, went 3rd just after last, no impression
took keen hold early, in touch, slow and lost place 3rd, blundered badly 5th, well behind after 4 out
held up towards rear, hit 4th, some headway when not fluent and hampered 4 out, well beaten from next
held up in rear, left 3rd 4 out, closed 3 out, led 2 out, clear last, easily
handy on outside, went 2nd 4 out until before 2 out, weakened into 4th just after last
led until 2 out, no impression on winner when mistake last, kept on
handy on inside, slow 2nd, lost place after 5th, behind after 4 out
San Fermin won a bumper and placed twice over hurdles in 2021. He has an absence to overcome but his yard is in form so he goes on the shortlist. AURIFEROUS (NAP) won on the all-weather last year and has placed numerous times on Turf on the level. He showed signs of inexperience on his hurdling debut at Huntingdon and will be more the finished article here. A bumper winner here in the autumn, Tapley ran his best race so far over hurdles at Plumpton last time while a case can also be made for Leicester fourth General Medrano
Auriferous (IRE) 9-2 (11-8) Towards rear, headway to track leaders 4 out, ridden 2 out, stayed on flat, 4th of 14, 13 1/4l behind Imperial Bede (11-8) at Huntingdon 2m mdn (4) gs in Jan.
Belgarum (IRE) 33-1 (11-8) Never closer than mid-division, pushed along and weakened home turn, 9th of 10, dist behind Hermes Du Gouet (11-8) at Exeter 2m 1f mdn (4) hvy in Jan.
Bohemian Lad (IRE) 12-1 (11-2) Handy, pushed along 4f out, soon outpaced, 7th of 13, 21 1/2l behind Marvellous Mick (11-2) at Chepstow 2m (5) gs in Dec.
Estacas (GER) 20-1 (11-1) Tracked leader 1st until next, chased leaders, pushed along home turn, ridden and weakened quickly before 3 out, tailed off, 15th of 16, dist behind Libberty Hunter (11-1) at Chepstow 2m (4) sft in Jan.
General Medrano (IRE) 11-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, challenged 3 out, every chance 2 out, 3rd and beaten last, weakened into 4th flat, 4th of 7, 9l behind Mount Tempest (11-0) at Leicester 2m (3) gs in Dec.
San Fermin (IRE) 18-5 (11-4) Track leader, led 4 out, ridden and headed 2 out, kept on one pace, 2nd of 9, 8l behind Royal Pretender (11-4) at Warwick 2m 5f mdn (4) gd in Sep.
Tapley 7-4 (11-5) Led, pushed along and joined 2 out, headed before the last, ridden and hung left run-in, kept on but held, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind Poncho (11-5) at Plumpton 2m (4) gs in Jan.
Shewearsthewellies (IRE) 4-1 (11-11) Pr, 3rd 1/2way, rdn in 3rd aftr 3out, drpd to 4th aftr 2out, ko onepce from bef last, 4th of 15, 12 3/4l behind Lady Mendoza (11-6) at Fairyhouse Ptp 3m mdn gd in Apr.
Capstan 16-1 (9-7) Close up, pushed along 3f out, ridden and kept on same pace final furlong, 5th of 10, 8 3/4l behind Cumulonimbus (9-1) at Yarmouth 1m 2f hcp (4) gs in Sep.
