in touch towards rear, last and pushed along 3rd, tailed off 8th, pulled up after
in touch, closed to lead after 2nd, headed when jumped slowly 7th, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off
handy until 6th, soon ridden, weakened after next, tailed off
tracked leaders, stayed in touch but lost several places after 2nd, headway after 5th, led 7th, clear last, stayed on
in touch in rear, headway approaching 7th, not fluent and went 2nd 3 out, ridden from next, no impression last, eased flat
held up in touch, mistake 5th, pushed along 8th, soon weakened, pulled up before 3 out
led early, led again before 2nd, soon headed, stayed handy, not fluent 8th, 3rd and weakening 2 out
led before 1st until before 2nd, stayed prominent, weakened after 8th, tailed off
In common with most of John Ferguson's hurdlers, Shubaat was a decent sort on the Flat but returns from a lengthy absence here. CLOUD CREEPER sets a very fair standard on his seconds at Southwell and Fontwell and deserves a change of luck. He's narrowly preferred to Carole's Destrier, who has also shown decent form and has been knocking on the door. Westerly Breeze was third at Ludlow on his reappearance and looks the pick of the remainder.
Amazing Scenes (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) In touch, ridden and weakened after 4 out, modest 5th, 5th of 10, 45l behind Knock House (10-12) at Plumpton 2m 5f nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Anshantor (IRE) 66-1 (10-11) Led until 5 out, weakened next, 8th of 18, 42l behind Champagne West (11-0) at Warwick 2m 5f mdn hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Arfur Didit (IRE) 17-2 (11-1) Tracked leaders in 4th, pushed along over 8f out, lost place over 4f out, soon in rear, 5th of 7, 20l behind Ballyhooley Boy (10-11) at Southwell 2m NH flat (6) gd in Mar.
Carole's Destrier 7-2 (10-9) Tracked leader, disputed lead 6th, led narrowly 3 out, ridden and headed last, no extra flat, 2nd of 15, 3 1/2l behind Aubusson (10-5) at Chepstow 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Cloud Creeper (IRE) 5-2 (10-12) Held up in rear, headway approaching 7th, led after 3 out, mistake 2 out, edged right before last, went left at hurdle, edged left and driven flat, 1 length up towards finish, headed post, 2nd of 8, hd behind Junction Fourteen (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Shubaat 12-1 (8-11) Took keen hold, led 6f, chased leader, driven along 4f out, ridden and hung right inside final 2f, soon weakened, 8th of 14, 27l behind Motivado (9-2) at Goodwood 1m 6f hcp 105 (2) gd in Aug '12 (flat).
Westerly Breeze (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, ridden and weakened before last, 3rd of 14, 10l behind Theatrebar (10-12) at Ludlow 2m 5f NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) gs in Nov.
Zaffaran Rain (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, outpaced before 3 out, weakened after, tailed off before 2 out, soon pulled up, in a race won by Spirit Oscar (10-12) at Lingfield 2m 3f mdn hdl (5) hvy in Nov, 7 ran.
