slightly worse than midfield, some headway before pushed turning for home, 4th 2 out, ridden after last and kept on well
raced keenly in rear, mistake 4 out, some headway before pushed approaching 2 out, went 5th jumping last, ridden late on, never nearer
slightly better than midfield, lost ground after 4 out and pushed, well beaten before 2 out
raced keenly behind leaders, hit 3 out, losing ground when pushed turning for home, beaten when ridden after 2 out
close-up, losing ground when pushed after 3 out, ridden and beaten before 2 out
led, pushed before 2 out, ridden and headed after last, kept on well
raced keenly towards rear, some headway before 3 out, 3rd when pushed before 2 out, slow last and ridden, stayed on one pace
towards rear, pushed after 3 out, some headway before ridden after 2 out, kept on one pace
midfield, hit 4 out, losing ground when pushed before 3 out, last and well beaten turning for home
tracked leader, narrow 2nd when nudged turning for home, ridden after 2 out, hit front after last, stayed on well
KLITSCHKO looked a prospect of promise when landing a bumper here in May with something to spare. This looks a good starting point over hurdles for the Blue Bresil gelding, and he could well go on to better things. Despereaux had every chance of making a successful debut when running out at the last at Ffos Las and looks the prime threat with a clear round. He travelled notably well that day. Jaramillo, a winner on the Flat for Roger Varian, is very much a mixed bag in four hurdling starts. His Newbury second in February is probably the best hurdles form on show, but he pulled up earlier this month and best watched for now. Dual Flat winner, Bertie's Wish, is an interesting newcomer along with Afta Party, but Doublethetrouble does need to improve as his form figures are somewhat misleading.
Afta Party (IRE) 4-1 (10-0) Made all, edged left from 4f out, led field far side in straight, pushed easily clear inside final 2f, unchallenged, won at Windsor 1m hcp (6) sft in Oct beating Mabre (9-12) by 7l, 13 ran.
Bertie's Wish (IRE) 40-1 (9-9) Keen to post, keen led, pushed along and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 10th of 12, 5 1/4l behind Award Dancer (9-8) at Newcastle 1m hcp (4) pol in Oct.
Doublethetrouble 10-3 (11-0) Jumped well, held up in 3rd, went 2nd before 3 out, challenged next, over 1 length down when not fluent last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 3, 5 1/2l behind Lock Out (11-0) at Newbury 2m (4) gd in Nov.
Eton Blue (IRE) 7-1 (9-12) Wore hood to post, raced keenly, led, pushed along and headed over 2f out, lost 2nd inside final 2f, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 7, 5l behind At Liberty (9-8) at Leicester 1m 2f hcp (5) gf in Oct.
Girandole (FR) 200-1 (11-3) Led, jumped right 3rd, mistake and unseated rider next, at Cheltenham 2m mdn (3) gd in Oct.
Jaramillo 20-1 (11-11) In touch in mid-division, closed before 4th, lost place after 3 out, pulled up before 2 out, at Warwick 2m hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Klitschko 10-11fav (10-10) Held up in rear, pulled hard, headway 4f out, ran green and led just over 1f out, quickened clear inside final furlong, won at Huntingdon 2m (5) gd in May beating Charming Berry (10-10) by 5 1/2l, 9 ran.
Let It Shine 40-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, 5th and no extra over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 8th of 14, 18 3/4l behind Roger Pol (11-1) at Worcester 2m (5) gd in Oct.
Thunder Flash 50-1 (11-0) Off the pace and always towards rear, tailed off, 9th of 13, dist behind Kingston Sunflower (11-5) at Hereford 2m (4) gd in Oct.
Despereaux (FR) 7-2 (11-0) Prominent, led at the 2nd, headed 3 out, pushed along 2 out, challenging when ran out last, at Ffos Las 2m (4) gd in Oct.
