behind, hampered 2nd, went poor 3rd from before 2 out, no impression
held up in touch on outer, led briefly 7th, in 4th and well held when fell 2 out
left in lead after 2nd, headed briefly 7th, clear from 2 out, kept on well
chased leaders, hampered 2nd, pushed along before 11th, tailed off before 3 out, soon pulled up
in touch, went 2nd before 3 out, no chance with winner when blundered and rider lost irons last
prominent, blundered 3 out, soon weakened, left poor 4th 2 out, never dangerous
led, fell 2nd
Alcala showed plenty of promise on his hurdling debut at Uttoxeter and is only a pound higher. Truckers Glory started out over fences with a win at Bangor and Final Nudge could find a drop in distance advantageous. Millanisi Boy was in the process of running a good race over hurdles at Chepstow last time until falling and looks the type to do well over the larger obstacles. But COLIN’S BROTHER appears to be going from strength-to-strength and, though both wins so far over fences have come over shorter, he did win on heavy going over this trip over hurdles last year so can complete the hat-trick.
Knight Of Noir (IRE) 14-1 (10-11) In rear, not fluent 3rd, hit 12th and struggling, behind 5 out, 7th of 8, dist behind Pobbles Bay (11-1) at Chepstow 3m hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Alcala (FR) 6-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, headway 4 out, 3rd last, stayed on, 3rd of 11, 4 1/4l behind Burtons Well (11-2) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
Final Nudge (IRE) 11-4 (11-6) Chased leaders, mistake 2nd, not fluent 4th, lost place 8th, headway and in touch on outer after 4 out, outpaced in 4th when ridden after next, left 3rd 2 out, no impression, 3rd of 6, 19l behind Premier Bond (11-0) at Catterick 3m 1f (4) gs in Jan.
Colin's Brother 9-2 (10-3) Led early, soon in touch, outpaced before 4 out, rallied next, led before last, stayed on well, won at Ludlow 2m hcp (2) gs in Dec beating Gardefort (11-7) by 5l, 8 ran.
Nansaroy 16-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway on inside 8th, stayed on one pace from 2 out, 5th of 11, 9 1/4l behind Burtons Well (11-2) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
Millanisi Boy 9-1 (10-13) Chased leaders, ridden 4 out, disputing 5th when fell 3 out, at Chepstow 3m hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Truckers Glory (IRE) 5-2fav (11-2) Tracked leader, led before 3 out, challenged from next, stayed on strongly, won at Bangor 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Jan beating On The Road (10-7) by 1l, 8 ran.
