mid-division on inside, ridden before 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off
in touch, went 2nd travelling well after 3 out, led before 2 out, clear when hit last, pushed out flat
led unti ridden and headed before 2 out, chased winner until approaching last, no extra
chased leading pair, ridden after 3 out, weakened before next
raced wide, in touch, ridden and weakened before 3 out, tailed off
mid-division, pushed along before 3 out, weakened soon after, beaten when hit 2 out
led in start, held up in rear, mistake 2nd, headway under pressure 2 out, went 4th before last, one pace and hung left flat
towards rear, not fluent 4th, ridden and struggling when slight peck 3 out, headway to chase leaders when edged right and hit 2 out, weakened badly last
not fluent, always in rear, tailed off
chased leaders, pushed along before 5th, weakened before next
held up towards rear, smooth headway to 3rd before 2 out, driven to 2nd approaching last, no chance with winner
mid-division, behind from 3rd, tailed off
chased leader until hit 3 out, weakened before next
towards rear, plugged on from last, never on terms
DUBAI CREST had Masterful Act behind when a promising fifth to Red Merlin on his hurdling debut at Doncaster last month. Nicky Henderson's gelding should know more today and can open his account over timber. Theredballoon won a bumper here on his racecourse bow and should strip fitter for a recent fourth at Doncaster while there are possibilities about Evan Williams' newcomer Cast Of Stars, who won an all-weather maiden at Kempton in December. Valid Reason has a similar profile while Lucky Dance won four times on the level and was third at Plumpton on only his second outing over obstacles, though probably lacks the scope of a few of these.
December 150-1 (11-1) Held up towards rear, headway to chase leaders approaching 5th, weakening when not fluent 2 out, 8th of 15, 22l behind First In The Queue (10-7) at Huntingdon 2m mdn hdl (4) gs.
Dubai Crest 17-2 (10-12) In touch, chased leaders before 3 out, weakened after last, 5th of 12, 6l behind Red Merlin (10-7) at Doncaster 2m 4yo nov stks (4) gd.
Eseej (USA) 11-1 (9-12) Keen, made all, ridden clear from 3f out, eased inside final furlong, comfortable, won at Southwell 1m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Feb beating Calculating (8-13) by 5l, 5 ran (flat).
Lucky Dance (BRZ) 66-1 (11-2) In touch in chasing group, ridden 3 out, mistake next, kept on, one pace, 3rd of 13, 16l behind The Hague (10-11) at Plumpton 2m mdn hdl (5) sft in Feb.
Remarkable Rocket (IRE) 40-1 (10-9) Tracked leader until 11f out, ridden over 5f out, weakened over 2f out, soon hung left, 7th of 9, 31l behind Kawa (11-2) at Ludlow 2m mdn NH flat (5) gs in Nov.
Sous Mix (FR) 9-1 (10-10) With leaders, led over 4f out until over 2f out, soon weakened, 5th of 14, 26l behind Tricksofthetrade (11-3) at Catterick 2m NH flat (6) gs in Feb.
Theredballoon 25-1 (11-2) In rear, took keen hold early, raced wide from halfway, headway over 4f out, switched left 3f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 17, 11l behind Malt Master (10-7) at Doncaster 2m NH flat (5) gs in Feb.
Cast Of Stars (IRE) 6-4fav (9-3) Held up towards rear, closing when not clear run over 2f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on well, won at Kempton 1m 3f mdn stks (5) std in Dec beating Wade Farm Billy (9-7) by 1 1/2l, 8 ran (flat).
Dancing Belle 150-1 (10-8) Held up mid-division, headway to chase leaders approaching 5th, weakened from 3 out, 13th of 15, well behind First In The Queue (10-7) at Huntingdon 2m mdn hdl (4) gs.
Lajidaal (USA) 20-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, pushed along approaching 5th, weakened before 3 out, 11th of 16, 40l behind Tony Star (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Masterful Act (USA) 16-1 (9-13) Held up towards rear and keen, headway before 3 out, weakened before 2 out, 7th of 12, 12l behind Red Merlin (10-7) at Doncaster 2m 4yo nov stks (4) gd.
Trepalo (FR) (10-3) 4th of 13, 9l behind Quitte Et Passe (9-10) at Clairefontaine(FR) 1m 4f 3yo nhf sft in Oct.
Valid Reason 7-2 (9-7) Led, headed over 2f out, ridden over 1f out weakened inside final furlong, last of 6, 10l behind New Code (8-7) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec (flat).
Always De One 100-1 (10-5) Took keen hold, left chasing winner 1st, dropped to 3rd after 3rd, ridden before and weakened to 4th 2 out, 4th of 6, 25l behind Higgy's Ragazzo (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 1f 4yo hdl (4) gd in Feb.
Two Tone 200-1 (10-12) Towards rear, weakened from 3 out, 11th of 15, 46l behind First In The Queue (10-7) at Huntingdon 2m mdn hdl (4) gs.
Spiritual Art 100-1 (10-2) Always behind, weakening when mistake 4 out, tailed off when pulled up 2 out, in a race won by Bunglasha Lady (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 6f nov hdl (4) gs in Feb, 12 ran.
