tracked leaders, not fluent 1st, led after 4th, ridden and headed 2 out, stayed on same pace
tracked leaders, lost place approaching 4th, behind when mistake next, tailed off
mid-division on outside, weakened approaching 5th
held up in touch, not fluent 5th, went 2nd before 3 out, led 2 out, ran on well
mid-division, pushed along approaching 3rd, behind 3 out
rear of mid-division, headway approaching 5th, weakened before 2 out
led until after 4th, weakened quickly, behind next, soon pulled up
held up in rear, never in contention
held up in rear, pushed along before 4th, never dangerous
in touch, closed 5th, soon ridden, weakened approaching 3 out
held up in rear, modest 8th 3 out, never on terms
rear of mid-division, not fluent 5th, headway soon after, weakened approaching 2 out
mid-division, went right on landing 1st, struggling 5th
prominent, ridden and close 3rd after 3 out, 4th and one pace from next
held up in touch, weakened approaching 3 out
held up in rear, headway approaching 3 out, went 3rd 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on same pace
Cucumber Run ran well on his reappearance in a Listed bumper at Cheltenham in November and was beaten less than a length by Pride Of Battle when favourite on his hurdling debut at Newbury last month. Nicky Henderson's charge looks sure to be scoring soon but Alan King should know where he stands with HIGH BENEFIT on a line through the winner of that latter race. The mare was still going well when falling at Bangor last time and the fact that she was vying for favouritism with the smart Backspin in that race suggests she's well above average. Mr Jay Dee faces a stiff task under his penalty but Absolution is interesting now tackling a set of hurdles and a longer trip.
Mr Jay Dee (IRE) 3-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders in 3rd, went 2nd approaching 2 out, led last, ridden flat, soon clear, eased towards finish, won at Kelso 2m mdn hdl (4) gf in Oct beating Maggio (11-0) by 6l, 12 ran.
Absolution (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) In touch, ridden to go 3rd 2f out, one pace final furlong, 5th of 13, 5l behind Solaise (10-9) at Lingfield 2m mdn n h flat (5) std in Dec.
Automaticman (IRE) 10-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, one pace, 5th of 14, 11l behind Chasing Aces (11-2) at Ludlow 2m NH flat (5) gs in Nov.
Cucumber Run (IRE) 13-8fav (10-12) Tracked leaders, headway 3 out, challenged next, hit last, ridden and every chance flat, kept on, held towards finish, 2nd of 16, 3/4l behind Pride In Battle (10-12) at Newbury 2m 3f NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) gd in Dec.
Fairynuff 16-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, led approaching 3 out, soon headed and weakened, 5th of 18, 24l behind Palace Jester (10-12) at Wetherby 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
High Benefit (IRE) 11-4fav (10-12) Tracked leaders, fell 5th, in a race won by Backspin (10-12) at Bangor 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gd in Dec, 16 ran.
Medicine Man (IRE) 80-1 (10-12) Led, headed briefly after 3 out, led again before 2 out, soon headed, weakened soon after 2 out, 7th of 10, 31l behind Skint (10-12) at Wincanton 2m NH nov hdl 4-6yo (3) gd in Nov.
Pere Blanc (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Always behind, 10th of 16, well behind Prince Of Pirates (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m 1f NH nov hdl 4-6yo (3) gd in Dec.
Sheepclose (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, went 2nd after 2f, weakened 7f out, tailed off, 9th of 10, dis behind Priceless Art (11-0) at Southwell 2m Nat Hunt Flat (4yo+) (AWT) (4) std in Dec.
Somewhatinevitable (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Took keen hold towards rear until stumbled and unseated rider 1st, in a race won by Kid Cassidy (11-0) at Newbury 2m NH mdn hdl (3) gs in Nov, 15 ran.
South Stack 80-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear on outside, headway after 4th, weakened approaching last, 5th of 13, 34l behind Silver Gypsy (10-5) at Uttoxeter 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Spiritual Guidance (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Mid-division, took keen hold, headway over 5f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 4th of 8, 13l behind Advisor (11-0) at Kempton 2m Nat Hunt Flat (4yo+) (AWT) (4) std in Dec.
Star King (IRE) 50-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, ridden and outpaced after 3 out, 5th of 9, 32l behind Duke Of Lucca (11-0) at Taunton 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gs in Nov '09.
This Masquerade 8-1 (11-0) Led, ridden and headed over 2f out, no extra inside final furlong, 5th of 10, 6l behind Giorgio Quercus (11-0) at Kempton 2m Nat Hunt Flat (4yo+) (AWT) (4) std in Dec.
Thoresby (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway after 3 out, chased winner after next to before last, kept on same pace, no chance with leading pair flat, 3rd of 16, 15l behind Prince Of Pirates (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m 1f NH nov hdl 4-6yo (3) gd in Dec.
Tatispout (FR) 50-1 (10-5) Held up in rear, headway after 5th, no impression before 2 out, weakened before last, 7th of 16, 26l behind Third Intention (10-12) at Newbury 2m 3yo hdl (4) gd in Dec.
