held up, chased leaders approaching 4 out, ridden to lead after last, quicken clear
led, mistake 3 out, soon ridden, headed after last, no chance with winner
in touch, ridden 4 out, soon weakened
chased leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, mistake 2 out, soon weakened
mid-division, weakened after 4 out
chased leader, blundered 4 out, not recover, pulled up before 3 out
held up in rear, out paced after 4 out, kept on from 2 out
Wichita Lineman looks worth a punt now back over his optimum trip; Lough Derg and No Refuge could prove to be the main dangers. Jonjo O'Neill's World Hurdle hopeful is now racing over three miles for the first time this season. His two runs over shorter will have helped to blow the cobwebs away and whilst he doesn't do anything quickly, a big run is forthcoming here before a crack at Cheltenham. If the ground were to come up very soft then it may be wise to treat him with caution though as this isn't the ultimate target and they will be keen not to bottom him before March. Chief Dan George beat the selection at Aintree last season but that was when the front two went at it hammer and tongs from some way out and were never going to get home after that. Jimmy Moffatt's charge has been out of form this year and is hard to fancy. Lough Derg will try to make all and this gallant charge must not be overlooked as this is easier than the Cleeve Hurdle he contested last time, whilst Special Envoy and Kasbah Bliss both have ability but neither finds much for pressure it seems. No Refuge is of more interest as he returns to hurdles. He won well last time out showing resolution on his chase debut, and a Festival winner in the past, he could be a threat. However this looks like a good opportunity for Wichita Lineman to get off the mark.
Kasbah Bliss (FR) 9-2 (11-7) Held up well in rear, driven and struggling 4 out, tailed off, 5th of 9, 42l behind Lough Derg (11-7) at Ascot 3m 1f hdl Grd 1 (1) gf in Dec.
Lough Derg (FR) 11-1 (11-8) Led until 9th, regained lead after 3 out, soon ridden, headed after 2 out, weakened, 6th of 10, 28l behind Inglis Drever (11-8) at Cheltenham 3m hdl Grd 2 (1) gs in Jan.
Chief Dan George (IRE) 25-1 (11-4) Mid-division, squeezed out on bend after 9th, lost position, ridden after 3 out, hit 2 out, stayed on, 4th of 10, 14l behind Inglis Drever (11-8) at Cheltenham 3m hdl Grd 2 (1) gs in Jan.
Wichita Lineman (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) Held up, headway 6th, ridden 3 out, rallying when switched right approaching last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 8l behind Blazing Bailey (11-12) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hdl (2) gs in Jan.
No Refuge (IRE) 15-8jt-fav (11-0) Held up and jumped right, led 5th, mistake 10th, challenged last, all out, won at Catterick 3m 1f beg chs (4) gs in Jan beating Brave Rebellion (10-11) by a shd, 5 ran.
Special Envoy (FR) 9-2 (11-7) Held up well in rear, headway 4 out, went 4th 3 out, hit 2 out, tried to challenge for 3rd flat, no chance, 4th of 9, 16l behind Lough Derg (11-7) at Ascot 3m 1f hdl Grd 1 (1) gf in Dec.
Accordello (IRE) 11-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, reminders 4th, well behind 3 out, kept on but never reach challenging position, 5th of 11, 25l behind Sovietica (10-2) at Kempton 3m mrs hcp hdl (2) gs in Dec.
