led until slow 4th, led before 6th, slow and headed 8th, ridden after 4 out, weakened flat, lost 3rd close home
with leader, led 4th, headed before 6th, led 8th, ridden and joined last, soon headed, no impression on winner flat
chased leaders, pecked 1st, closed before 10th, ridden after 4 out, went switched right after 2 out, challenged last, soon led, drew clear
not jump well in last, soon well behind, ran on flat, went 3rd close home
HAWTHORN COTTAGE made all for a very convincing victory in a similar race at Kempton and will take some catching despite a 6lb rise. Winning bumper and hurdler Barbados Blue made most on her chasing debut in a novices' handicap at Fakenham and is an obvious threat. Crossgalesfamegame was beaten a long way into second on her chasing bow at Hexham but will have come on for the experience though her best form has been on testing ground, a remark that also applies to Legalized.
Hawthorn Cottage (IRE) 2-1 (11-8) Mostly jumped well, made all, pushed along before 3 out, clear when hit next, stayed on strongly, unchallenged, won at Kempton 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Nov beating Get The Appeal (11-11) by 12l, 5 ran.
Barbados Blue (IRE) 16-5 (12-0) Mostly jumped well, slightly hampered 1st, tracked leader, led 2nd, ridden between last two, good jump last, stayed on well, won at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp (4) gd in Oct beating Precious Eleanor (11-9) by 5 1/2l, 5 ran.
Crossgalesfamegame (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) In rear, ridden 2 out, left in second after last, kept on run in, no match for winner, 2nd of 7, 12l behind Crack Du Ninian (11-6) at Hexham 2m hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Legalized 22-1 (10-11) Held up in touch, not fluent 9th, ridden after 3 out, outpaced next, 8th and well held last, plugged on flat, 6th of 14, 13 1/2l behind Uno Mas (10-0) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp (3) gd in Oct.
