led, hit 3rd, quickened 3 out, strongly challenged next, headed just after last, no extra flat
held up in rear but in touch, headway 3 out, chased leaders next, weakened before last
chased leaders, every chance 2 out, weakened after last
held up in touch, not fluent 4th, chased leaders next, ridden to challenge 3 out, led just after last, ran on well
tracked leader, effort 3 out, weakened after next
held up in rear but in touch, headway approaching 4 out, soon chasing leaders, stayed on strongly after last, never reached winner
took keen hold in touch, headway to chase leaders approaching 5th, driven to challenge 3 out, weakened next
A tight handicap with a tentative vote going to the returning THREE FACES WEST. He landed a hat-trick of novice hurdles at the start of the year, including a victory at this venue. Montdragon also goes handicapping for the first time after scoring at Warwick but Baby King won a handicap here over shorter trip last month, with De Boitron back in third, and is only upped 6lb. Aerlite Supreme found only one too good over these obstacles last time and can race off the same mark but maiden hurdle winner Baby Bach will find this tougher. Istimraar reverts to hurdling after a spin over fences and went close at Fakenham in October.
Three Faces West (IRE) 5-4fav (11-13) Made all, ridden run-in, held on well towards finish, won at Haydock 2m 4f (4) gs in Mar beating Wild Bill (11-1) by 2 1/4l, 6 ran.
Aerlite Supreme (IRE) 20-1 (11-3) Held up towards rear, headway before 3 out, chased winner from last, no impression, 2nd of 9, 8l behind Rock The Kasbah (11-9) at Haydock 2m 3f hcp (2) sft in Nov.
Baby King (IRE) 3-1fav (11-2) In touch, not fluent 3rd, went 2nd before 3 out, led before 2 out, ridden run-in, held on towards finish, won at Haydock 2m hcp (3) sft in Nov beating Zaidiyn (11-9) by 3/4l, 8 ran.
Montdragon (FR) 7-2 (11-0) Held up, headway after 4th, not fluent next, went 2nd before 2 out, challenged last, led flat, stayed on well, won at Warwick 2m 3f (4) gs in May beating Laurium (11-6) by 3 1/4l, 11 ran.
De Boitron (FR) 6-1 (11-4) Held up mid-division, pushed along before 3 out, ridden in 4th before last, one pace, 3rd of 8, 7 3/4l behind Baby King (11-2) at Haydock 2m hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Baby Bach (IRE) 3-1 (11-0) Mid-division, smooth headway after 4 out, led going well before 2 out, soon clear, ridden out, very easily, won at Newcastle 2m mdn (5) sft in Nov beating Good Vibration (11-0) by 13l, 14 ran.
Istimraar (IRE) 4-1 (11-8) Took keen hold, soon prominent, ridden before 2 out, not fluent last, weakened flat, 4th of 7, 15 1/2l behind Allow Dallow (11-5) at Huntingdon 2m hcp (4) gs in Nov.
