held up behind, some late progress, never dangerous
pulled hard, towards rear, hampered on bend approaching 6th, soon weakened, tailed off
tracked leaders, close 3rd and going well when fell 2 out
mid-division, weakening when mistake 3 out
in touch, ridden after 6th, one pace from 3 out
led, ridden and headed soon after 2 out, hit last, no extra
mid-division, headway 6th, ridden after 3 out, soon one pace
in touch, tracked leaders 6th, led soon after 2 out, kept on, ridden out
mid-division until weakened 3 out
in touch, reminders after 4th, weakened after 6th, tailed off
prominent, stumbled 6th, soon ridden, one pace from 2 out
hampered 1st, mid-division, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened, fell last
Markington is marginally preferred to Raslan and Abutilon. The selection was a fair performer on the level and shaped as if needing a step up in trip on hurdling debut. There are plenty of numbers here but relatively little depth. Raslan is sure to be popular having Timmy Murphy aboard. Sent off at odds-on on hurdling debut, he was none too fluent and those problems will need to have been ironed out in order for him to take a hand. Abutilon should have few problems with the course as he placed here in bumper company. Majimourien could be of interest in the event of any market support. Kick and Prance does have experience on his side although performances have been compromised by a tendancy to pull hard early. Gowna's Hope showed little for Ger Lyons on two flat outings but could be anything over obstacles. Gracechurch was a fair middle distance performer for Mick Channon on the flat and is another to watch closely in the market. Markington looks to have the right profile for this race and he secures the nod.
Abutilon 3-1 (10-5) Held up, headway after 6f, led briefly over 2f out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 13, 5l behind Zahra's Place (10-2) at Fontwell 1m 6f nhf (6) gs in Nov.
Diarius (GER) 8-11fav (8-4) Held up, late headway, 2nd 3 1/2l behind Classic Decision (9-7) at Cologne 1m 4f stks sft in Oct (Flat).
Gowna's Hope (IRE) 33-1 (9-0) Always behind, trailing straight, 18th of 22, well behind Snow Lord (9-5) at Navan 1m 2f 3yo mdn sft in Oct (Flat).
Gracechurch (IRE) 9-1 (8-12) Chased leaders until weakend 3f out, 13th of 14, 13l behind dhtrs Go Figure (9-4) & Tommy Toogood (9-4) at Lingfield 1m 2f 3yo hcp (4) pol in Oct (Flat).
Karshaan (FR) 12-1 (8-7) Tracked leaders, weakened over 4f out, tailed off, 12th of 14, well behind At The Money (8-10) at Warwick 1m 7f hcp 0-75 (5) sft in Oct (Flat).
Kick And Prance 20-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out, 5th of 15, 30l behind Pauillac (10-12) at Newbury 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) sft.
Markington 3-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway 3 out, ridden and chased leaders next, kept on, 3rd of 16, 4 1/2l behind Impeccable Guest (9-12) at Catterick 2m 3yo nov hdl (3) gs in Nov.
Mucho Loco (IRE) 15-8fav (9-5) Mid-division, ridden and headway on inner over 2f out, not quicken inside final furlong, 2nd of 13, 3/4l behind Crafty Fox (9-5) at Southwell 7f mdn clm (7) fbs in Oct (Flat).
President Royal (FR) 8-1 (10-12) Led to halfway, ridden over 4f out, weakened 2f out, 7th of 13, 31l behind Quartano (10-12) at Exeter 1m 5f nhf (5) sft.
Raslan 4-6fav (10-12) Never fluent early, chased leaders, driven along from 6th, every chance 2 out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 10, 4l behind Warne's Way (10-5) at Fontwell 2m 2f 3yo nov hdl (4) sft.
Sa Nau 10-3 (10-12) Disputed lead until approaching 2 out, soon ridden, weakened after next, blundered last, 4th of 7, 24l behind Katies Tuitor (11-6) at Sandown 2m 3yo nov hdl (3) gd in Nov.
Dancing Melody 40-1 (10-10) Mid-division, headway when brought down 3 out in race won by My Petra (11-2) at Huntingdon 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gf in Nov, 15 ran.
Helen Wood 8-1 (10-5) Chased leaders, led 5th, headed 2 out, weakened quickly, 6th of 9, 36l behind Freeze The Flame (11-6) at Cheltenham 2m 3yo nov hdl (3) gd in Oct.
Highband 250-1 (8-12) In touch, ridden 4f out, weakened 3f out, last of 12, 34l behind Pentatonic (8-12) at Bath 1m 2f mdn fll (5) gf in Sept (Flat).
In On The Act (IRE) 16-1 (10-5) Tracked leaders, not fluent 6th, mistake 3 out, soon ridden, left poor 3rd at last, 3rd of 9, 15l behind Mister Benedictine (10-12) at Plumpton 2m 3yo mdn hdl (3) gs in Nov.
Majimourien (FR) (10-1) 7th of 13, 15l behind Aucune Idee (10-1) at Fontainebleu 2m 1f hvy in Dec.
