held up, mistake 2nd, not fluent 6th, headway after next, went 2nd 2 out, challenged 2 out, edged left flat, held towards finish
tracked leaders, not fluent 7th, every chance when not fluent 3 out, 3rd and beaten from after next, stayed on same pace
led, not fluent 2nd, headed 4th, led after next, mistake 7th, headed 3 out, 4th and weakening next
with leader, led 4th, headed after next, led again 3 out, pressed from 2 out, edged slightly left after last, driven out
held up, ridden and outpaced from 7th, weakened after 3 out
held up in rear, ridden and still in touch after 7th, no impression, weakened after next
Final Nudge has kept good company since completing a double in November but others probably have more scope. North Hill Harvey is one having shown a fine turn of foot to score over a shorter trip at Cheltenham while Ma du Fou has won a couple of minor contests with the minimum of fuss. Nicky Henderson sent out last year's winner so has probably had this in mind for MINELLA AWARDS since his charge made a very promising debut over hurdles at Newbury. He may well have beaten favourite Champers On Ice that day had he jumped a little better and will know more this afternoon.
North Hill Harvey 4-1 (10-12) Held up, headway 2 out, challenged last, soon led, stayed on well, drawing clear towards finish, won at Cheltenham 2m 1f (3) sft in Dec beating Baden (10-12) by 4 1/2l, 9 ran.
Final Nudge (IRE) 7-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, headway before 7th, 5th and outpaced 3 out, 5th of 9, 16 1/4l behind Thomas Hobson (11-7) at Warwick 2m 5f (1) hvy in Jan.
Justanother Muddle 9-1 (11-4) Prominent, slow 5th, mistake 7th, slow next, mistake 9th, lost place after 3 out, weakened before next, pulled up approaching last, at Cheltenham 3m (1) sft in Dec.
Ma du Fou (FR) 3-10fav (11-5) Made all, 8 lengths clear after 3rd, drew further clear from 3 out, unextended, very easy, won at Bangor 2m 1f (4) sft in Dec beating Petrou (10-12) by 10l, 8 ran.
Minella Awards (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) Held up, headway 3 out, 3rd when mistake 2 out, went 2nd last, edged right flat, stayed on final 100 yards, unable to challenge, 2nd of 10, 3/4l behind Champers On Ice (10-12) at Newbury 2m 5f (3) sft in Nov.
Vinniewhitefoot Evens (12-0) (h) held up; hdwy 10; blun 13; led last; rdn out, won at Dingley 3m mdn gd in May beating Hill Of Gold (12-0) by 1 3/4l, 9 ran.
