prominent, challenged 3 out, edged left and led flat, soon headed and outpaced by winner
led, slow 1st, ridden approaching 2 out, headed flat, outpaced by winner
held up towards rear, pecked 4th, not fluent next, headway approaching 3 out, every chance when mistake and unseated rider last
went quite keenly in rear, reminders after 2 out, reminders and stayed on well flat, nearest finish
took keen hold early stages, prominent, outpaced after 3 out, weakened next
held up, took keen hold, headway after 6th, not much room after last, squeezed through to lead and soon quickened clear
chased leaders, ridden and lost place after 6th, soon weakened
On To Victory was a decent performer on the Flat and should make a hurdler, though might just need this. Marie's Rock won a Ffos Las bumper in May on her racecourse debut and has a mares’ allowance in her favour but SUNNY EXPRESS looked sure to win when hitting the front at Carlisle on his hurdling debut. He didn’t last home, having been a shade keen in the early stages, but should be straighter now. The Con Man has a penalty for his victory at Carlisle exactly 12 months ago but Ebony Jewel is worth considering having shown signs of inexperience when a beaten favourite at Ayr.
The Con Man (IRE) 3-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders on inside, switched left to challenge before 2 out, led between last 2, ridden and stayed on well towards stands side rail flat, won at Carlisle 2m 4f (4) hvy in Dec beating Garrettstown (10-12) by 5l, 10 ran.
Ebony Jewel (IRE) 11-10fav (10-12) Keen led, headed 3rd, tracked leaders, ridden 2 out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 16, 4l behind Corrieben Reiver (10-12) at Ayr 2m (4) sft in Oct.
On To Victory 33-1 (9-10) Held up mid-division, headway over 3f out, weakened final furlong, 10th of 14, 8 3/4l behind Just In Time (9-1) at Doncaster 1m 7f hcp (2) gs in Sep.
Stimulating Song 50-1 (11-0) Held up behind, still plenty to do turning in, headway over 1f out, ridden and kept on final furlong, never nearer, 5th of 15, 11 1/4l behind Time Flies By (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m (2) hvy in Oct.
Sunny Express (IRE) 3-1 (11-2) In touch, tracked leaders 4th, ridden to lead soon after 2 out, headed flat, kept on, 2nd of 10, 3l behind Curramore (11-2) at Carlisle 2m 1f mdn (4) sft in Nov.
Marie's Rock (IRE) 9-4 (10-8) Chased leaders, challenge from 3f out, led over 1f out, ran on well, pushed out, readily, won at Ffos Las 2m (5) gd in May beating Balladame (10-8) by 2 3/4l, 7 ran.
Saint Dalina (FR) 50-1 (10-10) Mid-division, headway on inside after 6th, weakened 3 out, 8th of 14, 30l behind Flow Away (11-2) at Uttoxeter 2m (4) hvy in Nov.
