tracked leaders, not fluent 4th, stayed on same pace from 2 out, went 3rd flat but well held by front pair
mid-division, headway on outside when mistake 5th, weakened from next
in touch in main group, 2nd 2 out, led before 2 out, slightly awkward and headed at hurdle, still pressing winner after last, no impression towards finish
led, clear until after 3 out, headed and not much room 2 out, 4th and no extra flat
mid-division, jumped right and mistake 1st, in touch in main group after 5th, not fluent 3 out, soon beaten
mid-division, headway approaching 4th, weakened after 3 out, mistake 2 out
held up in rear, some headway after 3 out, switched left before mistake 2 out, no impression
mid-division, well beaten 3 out
in touch in chasing group, hit 1st, closed from 3 out, led 2 out, ran on strongly flat
chased clear leader until mistake 3 out, soon beaten
in rear, mistake and well behind 5th
held up towards rear, well beaten after 3 out, mistake 2 out
held up towards rear, headway 5th, 5th from 2 out, no chance with leaders
in touch in main group, weakened after 3 out
held up towards rear, stayed on steadily from before 2 out, no chance with leaders
held up in mid-division, not fluent 5th, well beaten next
Nicky Henderson runs three in what turn out to be an informative novice contest but it will be a surprise if impressive Newbury bumper winner BURBANK (NAP) doesn't prove the pick of that trio – he can make a successful switch to hurdling ahead of stablemate Swoop To Conquer. Top Tug made short work of modest rivals on his hurdling debut at Kempton and should be in the firing-line again, despite his penalty. Roger Varian could have some fun with Central Square over timber this winter as the four-year-old is well built. He won three times on the Flat up to 1m2f and is lightly-raced, though disappointed on his only start on ground with some give.
Top Tug (IRE) 4-6fav (10-12) Held up, in touch, headway after 4 out, every chance 2 out, led approaching last, ran on well, won at Kempton 2m (4) gd in Nov beating Bandsman (10-12) by 4l, 8 ran.
Abertillery 14-1 (8-13) Towards rear, pushed along over 3f out, never on terms, 7th of 10, 13l behind Onehelluvatouch (8-11) at Brighton 1m 2f hcp (6) gf in Sep.
Burbank (IRE) 3-1 (10-12) Held up, in last pair, smooth headway over 3f out, 2nd on bit over 2f out, led over 1f out, shaken up inside final furlong, soon clear, easily, won at Newbury 2m (5) gd in Nov beating Cristal De Sienne (10-12) by 6l, 8 ran.
Captain Felix 9-1 (10-12) Keen, close up, prominent 4th until ridden 3 out, weakened next, 7th of 11, 21l behind Apasionado (11-5) at Huntingdon 2m (4) gd in Nov.
Central Square (IRE) 4-1 (9-12) Slowly into stride, held up, in rear, ridden over 2f out, edged left over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, went 3rd close home, 3rd of 9, 4 1/2l behind Autocratic (8-13) at York 1m 2f hcp stks (2) gd in Oct.
Champion Chase (FR) 4-1 (10-12) Held up in mid-division, ridden and struggling 3 out, 8th of 14, 27 1/2l behind Report To Base (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m (4) gs in Nov.
Chateau Chinon (FR) 12-1 (11-0) Held up, in rear, took keen hold, headway over 2f out, never on terms, 6th of 12, 10 3/4l behind Benechenko (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m (5) sft in Nov.
Fifty Bob (IRE) 5-1 (11-9) Ww mid div, mod 5th at 8th, clsr when mstk 4out, so in cl 3rd bef last, disp brfly early flat, no ex, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Six Gun Serenade (11-9) at Ballyarthur 3m mdn gd in Apr.
Glaring 8-1 (9-2) Took keen hold, soon led, ridden and headed 3f out, weakened from 2f out, last of 5, 20 1/2l behind Fun Mac (9-2) at Salisbury 1m 6f stks (2) gs in Sep.
Golden Gate Bridge (GER) 6-4fav (10-12) Tracked leader, driven to lead after 3 out, headed before next, soon rallied, no chance with easy winner, 2nd of 5, 17l behind Seven Kingdoms (10-12) at Kempton 2m (4) sft in Jan.
Indomitable Spirit 100-1 (10-10) Held up, in rear, well beaten 3 out, 6th of 7, dist behind Alcock And Brown (11-3) at Worcester 2m (4) gd in Jul.
Magic Bullet (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) In rear, headway 3 out, ridden and no impression from next, 5th of 11, 12 3/4l behind Apasionado (11-5) at Huntingdon 2m (4) gd in Nov.
Man From Mars 20-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, took keen hold, not fluent 1st or 2nd, well beaten 3 out, 9th of 13, 20 1/2l behind Midnight Maestro (10-12) at Warwick 2m (4) gs in Nov.
Serpico (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, outpaced and no impression from 2 out, hung right flat, 5th of 13, 10 1/4l behind Midnight Maestro (10-12) at Warwick 2m (4) gs in Nov.
Swoop To Conquer (IRE) 3-1 (10-12) In touch in rear, closed 6th, 2nd next, ridden approaching 3 out, just over 1 length down last, edged left and beaten flat, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 6, 2 1/4l behind Bistouri D'honore (10-12) at Exeter 2m 6f (3) gd in Nov.
The Two Amigos 25-1 (10-12) Mid-division, went 4th before 4 out, went 3rd before 2 out, weakened before last, 5th of 13, 16 3/4l behind Copain De Classe (10-12) at Chepstow 2m (4) gs in Nov.
