held up behind leaders, bad mistake and lost place 2nd, hampered 8th, mistake 10th, modest 4th after 3 out
held up on outside, closed 3rd, went 2nd 11th, every chance when fell 4 out
led until after 1st, prominent, slow 7th, left in lead before 8th, headed 4 out, led before 3 out, headed 3 out, rallied last, led again flat, stayed on
2nd early, chased leaders, fell 8th
not always fluent in rear, hampered 4 out, modest 4th briefly before 3 out, no impression, pulled up before 2 out
raced keenly, led after 1st, hung left and headed before 8th, led 4 out, headed before 3 out, led 3 out, slow jump last, soon hung left and headed, lost 2nd towards finish
held up behind leaders on inside, left 2nd before 8th, not fluent 11th, outpaced before 2 out, rallied last, went 2nd towards finish
BILL BAXTER (NAP) has won both outings over fences since having a wind operation and further progress is expected with the going remaining in his favour. But testing ground may prove a problem for Honneur D'Ajonc, who ran well at Leicester last time while Moriko De Vassy’s earlier second at Wetherby also came on a faster surface. Upton Road steps up in class while Franco D'Aunou makes his hurdling debut.
Hooligan (IRE) 10-3 (11-10) In rear, ridden and headway 2 out(normal 3 out), kept on same pace, 4th of 6, 12l behind In Excelsis Deo (10-13) at Hereford 2m hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Bill Baxter (IRE) 11-4fav (11-6) In touch with leaders, took closer order 2 out, ridden and pressed leader approaching last, stayed on and led near finish, won at Kelso 2m 6f hcp (3) hvy in Dec beating Old Painless (11-1) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
Honneur D'Ajonc (FR) 12-1 (11-12) Prominent, joined winner 4 out, ridden next, every chance last, stayed on, 2nd of 10, 1 3/4l behind Our Jet (11-13) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Dec.
Franco D'Aunou (FR) 5-2fav (11-5) Disputed lead, headed but still in touch 9th, pushed along before 3 out, rallied to chase leader 3 out where mistake and lost 2nd, jumped left 2 out, weakened approaching last, 3rd of 7, 14 3/4l behind Hurricane Harvey (11-5) at Ludlow 3m hcp (3) sft in Jan.
Moriko De Vassy (FR) 4-1 (10-12) In rear, mistake 1st, never really travelling, always behind, 6th of 8, dist behind Haddex Des Obeaux (11-2) at Doncaster 2m hcp (3) gd in Dec.
Super Six 6-1 (10-13) Chased leaders, went 2nd 3rd until 8th, chased leaders, mistake 12th, pushed along on inside home turn, weakened 2 out, 5th of 8, 20l behind Unanswered Prayers (10-13) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Upton Road (IRE) 14-1 (11-13) Waited with in last pair, good headway on inside tracking leaders 9th, went 2nd 11th until 4 out, went 2nd again 2 out, held when hung left and ridden run-in, 2nd of 8, 2 1/4l behind Sheldon (11-13) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp (4) hvy in Jan.
