held up, headway after 4th, chased winner inside final 2f, one pace
chased leader from 2nd, led last, soon headed, weakened over 1f out
led until after 1st, remained prominent, jumped slowly 2nd and 5th, weakened after 2 out, tailed off
led after 1st, ridden and headed when blundered last, weakened over 2f out, tailed off
ridden after 6th, always in rear, tailed off
mid-division, hung left after 4th, soon behind, tailing off when jumped badly left 2 out, pulled up before last
mid-division, headway approaching 4th, led last, stayed on well flat
took keen hold in rear, ridden after 6th, soon struggling, tailed off
held up in touch, lost place after 5th, no real headway from 2 out
Treasury Counsel has a penalty to contend with for his course and distance success but he looks a smart one, so he gets the nod ahead of Hill Forts Timmy and Bally Conn. The last-named didn't build on his good bumper win next time up at Huntingdon, however this softer ground and shorter trip could be more up his street so he looks sure to improve on only his second jaunt over hurdles. Hill Forts Timmy brings a wealth of experience to this event but his form is decidedly hit and miss so whether he will turn up today is anyone's guess. His last effort on ground this soft was woeful, so he is passed over, as is Ring Back who failed to build on his good bumper form and promising hurdles debut when putting in a poor effort last time out. He will need to improve to take this, so we return to Treasury Counsel as our idea of the winner.
Hill Forts Timmy 16-1 (11-11) Mid-division, headway 8th, effort after 3 out, one pace from next, 4th of 14, 19l behind Minella Tipperary (11-6) at Ascot 3m nov hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Dec.
Treasury Counsel (IRE) 9-2 (10-12) Always prominent, led 3 out, mistake last, ridden out, won at Hereford 2m 3f mdn hdl (4) gs in Dec beating Sherwoods Folly (10-12) by 1 1/2l, 14 ran.
Bally Conn (IRE) 6-1 (10-9) Mid-division, improved 6th, mistake and jumped slowly 9th, ridden and soon weakened, 5th of 11, 46l behind Very Special One (10-5) at Huntingdon 3m 2f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Bermuda Pointe (IRE) 5-1 (10-12) With leader, led 6 to 3 out, weakened 2 out, 9th of 14, well behind Treasury Counsel (10-12) at Hereford 2m 3f mdn hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Droppy's (IRE) 40-1 (10-12) Chased leader, ridden 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 4th of 12, 29l behind Armariver (11-5) at Taunton 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
George The Grey 20-1 (10-7) Held up mid-division, ridden and kept on from 3 out, no impression, 5th of 12, 13l behind Our Jasper (10-7) at Market Rasen 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Youll Do For Me (IRE) 28-1 (10-12) Held up mid-division, headway after 5th, ridden to chase leader 3 out, kept on from 2 out, 3rd of 18, 7l behind Thirty Five Black (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Luccombe Bay 12-1 (10-12) Held up, stayed on final 3f, no impression on leaders, 6th of 16, 23l behind Owlesbury Dream (10-5) at Ludlow 2m mrs nhf (4) gs in Dec.
Jaunty 150-1 (11-0) In touch until 3rd, soon behind, 11th of 12, well behind Katchit (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (2) sft in Dec.
Ring Back (IRE) 9-2 (10-10) Held up in touch, effort 4 out, weakened before 2 out, 6th of 16, 38l behind La Dame Brune (10-10) at Huntingdon 2m 4f mrs nov hdl (3) gs in Dec.
