2nd until 1st, chased leaders, lost place 3rd, ridden 6th, behind when not fluent 9th, pulled up after
chased leaders, went 2nd 7th, not fluent 10th, hit 3 out and 2 out, not pace of winner flat, 3rd and held towards finish
held up in rear, hit 5th, no impression 3 out, closed a bit 2 out, well held 4th last
jumped left, made all, dropped hind legs in fence 3rd, not fluent 4th or 13th, pressed strongly last, quickened up best flat, ridden out
chased winner 1st until 3rd, stayed handy, 3rd and a plenty to do 3 out, closed 2 out, every chance last, not quicken as well as winner flat, stayed on
WILLOUGHBY COURT (NAP) is a potentially top-class recruit to the chasing ranks. He never stopped improving over hurdles last season, winning the Neptune at Cheltenham on his final start, and it will be a shock if he is beaten. The Unit may be the one to chase him home as he did nothing wrong on his chasing bow at Newton Abbot and the step up in trip is in his favour. Toviere needed the experience at Fontwell last month but has a lot to find with some of these on hurdling form, including the mare Casablanca Mix who is sure to improve on her third at Worcester.
Sussex Road (IRE) 80-1 (11-0) Led until 1st, jumped left 3rd, last from 4th, behind 7th, last of 5, dist behind Chitu (11-12) at Towcester 2m (4) gf in Oct.
The Unit (IRE) 4-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, mistake 4th and 5th, went 2nd after 3 out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 6, 9l behind Shantou Rock (11-0) at Newton Abbot 2m (3) gd in Oct.
Toviere (IRE) 12-1 (11-5) Chased leader until, led approaching 5th, ridden and headed before last, weakened into 4th close home, 4th of 6, 5 1/4l behind Adrien Du Pont (11-5) at Fontwell 2m 6f (4) gd in Oct.
Willoughby Court (IRE) 14-1 (11-7) Made all, hard pressed from 2 out, ridden and edged right under pressure flat, stayed on gamely, just held on, won at Cheltenham 2m 5f (1) gs in Mar beating Neon Wolf (11-7) by hd, 15 ran.
Casablanca Mix (FR) 5-1 (10-12) Held up mid-division, headway 5 out, chased winner before 4 out until 2 out, one pace, 3rd of 8, 14 3/4l behind Rene's Girl (10-12) at Worcester 2m 4f (4) gd in Oct.
