tracked leaders in 3rd, not fluent throughout, went 2nd 4 out, hit 3 out, soon shaken up, ridden before last, kept on to lead towards finish
held up towards rear, headway after 4 out, led 3 out, ridden before last, kept on and headed towards finish
held up towards rear, reminders after 4 out, headway before 2 out, no impression
tracked leader, led 2nd, soon clear, headed 3 out, quickly weakened, pulled up soon after
led to 2nd, tracked clear leader, ridden in 3rd before last, one pace
held up towards rear, headway 3 out, in 4th before last, one pace
behind, effort from 3 out, no impression
THE NEW ONE has only raced on heavy ground once before, when beaten by At Fishers Cross over further at Cheltenham a couple of years ago. But he's won three times of soft going, including over course and distance in November, and should have the class to defy his big weight in this. Nigel Twiston-Davies' stable star carries 8lb more than his rivals but, on official ratings, still has more than 10lb in hand over Bertimont, beaten 18 lengths by the selection at Cheltenham last time, while Desert Cry hasn't run over hurdles since 2012. Strongpoint is a decent handicapper but is likely to get found out at this level and the remainder will have to improve out of all recognition to get involved.
The New One (IRE) 4-7fav (11-8) Chased leader, jumped slightly right at times, led approaching last, quickened clear final 150 yards, comfortably, won at Cheltenham 2m 1f hdl G2 (1) gs in Dec beating Vaniteux (11-0) by 4 1/2l, 8 ran.
Bertimont (FR) 12-1 (11-0) Held up, headway to track leaders going ok before 2 out, ridden before last, soon beaten, 6th of 8, 18l behind The New One (11-8) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hdl G2 (1) gs in Dec.
Desert Cry (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Held up in last pair, closer order 6th, awkward 8th, outpaced and no chance 4 out, plugged on into modest 4th last, 4th of 7, 21l behind Mr Mole (11-4) at Sandown 2m hcp chs (2) sft.
Got The Nac (IRE) 9-4 (11-5) Made all, set steady pace until quickened after 3 out, ridden clear last, easily, won at Lingfield 2m nov hdl (4) hvy in Dec beating Allthegear No Idea (11-12) by 5l, 5 ran.
Strongpoint (IRE) 15-2 (11-6) Led to 2 out, ridden before last, kept on, 2nd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Ruacana (10-10) at Musselburgh 2m hcp hdl (2) sft.
Swaledale Lad (IRE) 100-1 (11-7) Led to before 3 out, soon weakened, 5th of 6, well behind Irving (11-7) at Newcastle 2m hdl G1 (1) sft in Nov.
Trucking Along (IRE) 9-1 (11-2) Held up mid-division, weakened before 3 out, pulled up, in a race won by Cultram Abbey (10-1) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-140 (3) hvy, 9 ran.
