made all, not fluent 2 out, clear last, easily
held up in rear, pulled hard, well behind 5th
mid-division, headway after 5th, 4th after 3 out, no impression and well beaten when blundered 2 out
mistake 4th, always behind
held up towards rear, 10th and pushed along after 5th, well beaten 3 out
chased leaders, 4th when jumped right and not fluent 3 out, soon weakened
mid-division, ridden after 5th, 5th and well beaten after next
held up in mid-division, ridden and struggling after 5th
held up towards rear, mistake 4th, behind next
chased leaders, lost place 5th, well beaten 3 out
chased winner, not fluent 3 out, lost 2nd when jumped right and awkward next, no impression on winner last, kept pressing for 2nd
mid-division, ridden and no impression after 4th, plugged on from 2 out, went 4th flat, no impression
mid-division, headway approaching 5th, went 2nd 2 out, soon driven, no impression on winner last, held on to 2nd
held up in rear, ridden 5th, some headway before 2 out, never any chance
This doesn't look as competitive as the first division. Useful Flat performer Fire Ship didn't appear to get home on his hurdling debut at Newbury and may again struggle on the prevailing ground, though he still finished ahead of the so-far disappointing Allee Bleue. Ex-pointer Give Him Time won't fail through lack of stamina and Guantoshol won twice on the level in France and has joined an in-form yard, though he wouldn't have been in the same league as TRAVERTINE. Alan King's hurdling newcomer was third in a Group 3 over 1m2f at Deauville in August and should outclass these if reproducing that form over timber.
Allee Bleue (IRE) 100-1 (11-0) Led until 3 out, soon lost 2nd, 3rd and held when mistake 2 out, weakened run-in, 6th of 15, dist behind Wait For Me (11-0) at Newbury 2m mdn (4) sft in Dec.
Art Libre (FR) 20-1 (10-9) Held up in last trio, not fluent and reminder 5th, soon behind and lost touch, tailed off 3 out, pulled up before next, at Fontwell 2m 2f mdn (4) gd in May.
Bibi D'eole (FR) 12-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, ridden and well beaten 2 out, 8th of 14, 24l behind All Set To Go (11-0) at Southwell 2m mdn (5) sft in Dec.
Dounya's Boy 150-1 (11-0) Pulled hard, led after 1st, headed before next, lost place 4th, soon weakened, pulled up after 7th, at Worcester 2m 4f mdn (4) gs in Oct.
Fire Ship 12-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, steady headway into 4th 3 out, weakened run-in, 5th of 15, dist behind Wait For Me (11-0) at Newbury 2m mdn (4) sft in Dec.
Give Him Time 4-1 (11-9) Ww rr, last brfly 4th, 13th 1/2way & 11th bef 4out, prog in 6th 3out & went 3rd 2out, nvr nrr, 3rd of 15, 9l behind Grey Storm (11-9) at Dawstown 3m mdn gd in May.
Guantoshol (IRE) 40-1 (9-1) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 11th of 12, 17l behind Zamperini (9-0) at Newmarket 1m 2f hcp (4) sft in Oct.
Iniciar (GER) 50-1 (11-5) Held up mid-division, weakened before 3 out, 11th of 18, dist behind Emerging Talent (11-5) at Exeter 2m 1f mdn (5) hvy in Jan.
Same Ole Trix (IRE) 200-1 (11-0) Towards rear, pushed along before 3 out, soon weakened, 11th of 17, 37 1/4l behind Winter Escape (11-0) at Doncaster 2m 1f mdn (5) gs in Dec.
Sarpech (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Mid-division awkward 3rd, weakened approaching 3 out, 11th of 12, 37 3/4l behind William H Bonney (10-12) at Plumpton 2m (4) sft in Nov.
Starving Marvin 33-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, ridden after 3 out, soon lost place, weakened next, 12th of 13, dist behind Flashjack (10-12) at Leicester 2m (4) hvy in Dec.
The Artful Cobbler 100-1 (10-12) Held up, pushed along disputing 7th before 3 out, no headway, 8th of 17, dist behind Vieux Lille (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f (4) hvy in Dec.
Travertine (IRE) 25-1 (8-9) 3rd of 8, 1 1/4l behind Bello Matteo (9-1) at Deauville 1m 2f Grp 3 stks (1) sft in Aug.
What A Tempest 100-1 (10-7) Always towards rear, 11th of 17, 36 3/4l behind Unbuckled (10-7) at Doncaster 2m 1f mdn (5) gs in Dec.
