mistake and pecked 1st, rider lost iron briefly, soon recovered and came through to lead, jumped left 3rd, hung left and headed before next, losing touch when ran wide before 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
held up in rear, closed after not being fluent 5th, well held after 3 out, hit last
held up towards rear, not fluent 5th, outpaced by leaders 2 out, went 3rd last, stayed on same pace
led until after 1st, tracked leaders, outpaced approaching 2 out
mid-division, headway approaching 4th, led after 3 out, soon strongly pressed, not fluent last, quickened up best to assert towards finish
held up in touch, closed after 5th, strong challenge after 3 out, ridden flat, not pace of winner towards finish
prominent, led 4th, hung left and headed after 3 out, well held after
in touch, jumped slowly, lost place 2nd, behind 4th
held up, jinked left and jumped slowly 1st, headway after 5th, went 4th last, stayed on same pace
held up towards rear, headway approaching 2 out, no impression
prominent, not fluent 2nd, led approaching 4th, soon headed, no extra 2 out
ERICHT, a smart performer in bumpers, has been highly tried in his two starts to date over hurdles. Third in a Grade 2 at Cheltenham on his debut over timber, he was a shade disappointing when only third at Newbury last time having been well backed. However the first two, Colour Squadron and Montbazon, look decent prospects and Nicky Henderson's gelding should make in third-time lucky today. Cold Knight has hinted at ability and Cousin Khee wasn't far behind the selection in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham last March though needs to step up on his hurdles form to date. Hogan's Bridge and Hollow Heartbeat may also be worth noting with a view to the future.
Bankcity (FR) 100-1 (10-9) Bumped 1st, jumped left and dropped to rear 2nd, well behind 4th, pulled up after 7th, in a race won by Zama Zama (11-0) at Leicester 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gs in Dec, 9 ran.
Barton Felix 50-1 (10-12) Prominent, weakened before 4 out, 13th of 18, well behind Native Gallery (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Cold Knight 33-1 (10-9) Mid-division, driven and outpaced before 2 out, soon weakened, 6th of 12, 29l behind Tetlami (10-9) at Sandown 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Coral Cove 33-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, outpaced before 3 out, never on terms, weakened next, 5th of 8, 30l behind Tour D'argent (10-12) at Doncaster 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Cousin Khee 9-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway before 4 out, blundered 3 out, soon weakened, 4th of 14, 24l behind Magnifique Etoile (11-0) at Bangor 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Ericht (IRE) 6-5fav (11-0) Tracked winner until ridden 2 out, weakened last, 3rd of 11, 20l behind Colour Squadron (11-0) at Newbury 2m mdn hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Hogan's Bridge (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Held up, ridden 6th, never on terms, 5th of 10, 50l behind Jimbill (11-0) at Fakenham 2m NH mdn hdl (5) gd in Dec.
Hollow Heartbeat (IRE) 3-1 (11-0) In touch, ridden over 4f out, weakened 3f out, 5th of 8, 31l behind Shutthefrontdoor (10-11) at Ffos Las 2m nhf (6) sft in Nov.
Spoil Me (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Always towards rear, 11th of 15, well behind Rowan Tiger (10-12) at Bangor 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Willard 100-1 (10-11) Always towards rear, tailed off, 13th of 16, well behind Cheltenian (11-4) at Kempton 2m mdn NH flat (5) gs in Feb.
Lulu's Gift (IRE) 16-1 (10-9) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, stayed on same pace, no impression on winner inside final furlong, 2nd of 8, 4l behind Brave Alliance (10-9) at Warwick 2m mares n h flat (6) gf in Nov.
Henry The First (IRE) 25-1 (11-12) Chased leader in 2nd, 3rd 5 out, weakened after 4 out, 13th of 23, well behind Sixteen Forty Two (11-12) at Cork 2m mdn hdl in Jul.
