led, extended advantage and clear after 1st, reduced lead 4 out, pressed 2 out, headed before last, kept on until no extra close home
held up, struggling under 4 out, no headway and beaten over 2 out
mid-division, no impression from under 3 out
held up, mistake 3rd, headway well over 2 out, kept on same pace from under 2 out
mid-division, stumbled on landing 1st, chased leaders after 5th, headway over 4 out, challenged 2 out, led before last, driven out flat and extended lead closing stages
tracked clear leader, closer over 4 out, outpaced in 3rd over 2 out, kept on from under 2 out
chased leaders early, mid-division after 2nd, pushed along and beaten well over 2 out, pulled up after 2 out
chased leaders, lost ground after 5th, plenty to do turning for home, kept on same pace until ran on well after last, just missed 3rd
held up, ridden well over 2 out and soon lost touch, pulled up after 2 out
held up, headway under 4 out, no further impression and weakened from under 2 out
Boulette is penalised for last month’s course and distance success and OCEANLINE can take advantage. The latter found life tough in Listed company last time but had finished runner-up at Stratford on his earlier hurdling debut and can go one better back at this level. Prince Of Bad Lins and Inferno Sacree posted better efforts last time but Kotmask, an import from France, debuts for new connections. A winner on the Flat for the Gosdens’ yard, Top Brass also has his first start for a new trainer having been gelded and undergone wind surgery.
Boulette (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Raced handy, took lead travelling strongly 3 out, ridden 2 out, stayed on well from last, always in command, won at Fontwell 2m 2f (4) gd in Nov beating Rhebus Road (10-12) by 2l, 12 ran.
Beat The Storm (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) Raced handy, losing place and ridden before 3 out, no impression, eased before last, finished tailed off, last of 8, dist behind Romeo's Bond (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f (4) gd in Nov.
Clarendon Cross 33-1 (9-2) Always towards rear, last of 14, 27 1/2l behind Kentucky Kitten (9-2) at Leicester 1m 2f hcp (5) gs in Oct.
Inferno Sacree (FR) 80-1 (10-12) Held up last, went left 2nd and next, pushed along in 6th before 3 out, plugged on into never dangerous 4th close home, 4th of 7, 10 1/4l behind Tease And Seize (10-12) at Ludlow 2m (4) gd in Nov.
Kotmask (FR) (10-5) 5th of 12, 12 3/4l behind Purprod Boiz (10-10) at Dieppe 2m 1f in Jun.
Oceanline (IRE) 9-4 (10-12) Mid-division, ridden before 3 out, jumped left 2 out, no extra last, 5th of 7, 9 1/4l behind Porticello (11-3) at Wetherby 2m lst (1) gs in Oct.
Top Brass 9-4fav (8-11) In touch in rear, pushed along and switched wide 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on towards finish, never dangerous, 4th of 6, 4 1/4l behind Bandinelli (9-4) at Newmarket 1m 4f hcp (4) gf in Aug.
Fiamette (IRE) 150-1 (10-5) Chased leader until 3rd, chased leaders, pushed along after 4 out, outpaced before next, 4th of 9, 17 1/2l behind Forever Blessed (10-12) at Ffos Las 2m (4) sft in Oct.
Haykal 125-1 (9-5) Keen in touch, dropped to rear 7f out, pushed along over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, tailed off, last of 8, 34 1/2l behind Hoodwinker (9-7) at Newbury 1m 2f hcp fll (4) hvy in Oct.
Telefina 100-1 (8-4) Tracked leaders, led over 2f out, ridden and headed entering final 2f, weakened final furlong, 7th of 12, 10 3/4l behind First Charge (10-0) at Wolverhampton 2m 1f hcp (6) pol in Oct.
Prince Of Bad Lins (GER) 33-1 (10-12) Raced handy, ridden 3 out, stayed on strongly after last but never getting to winner, 3rd of 8, 4 1/4l behind Romeo's Bond (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f (4) gd in Nov.
