prominent, led before 2 out, ridden and headed when blundered last, weakened flat
jumped left, tracked leaders, mistake 3rd, weakened and pulled up before 2 out
took keen hold, soon prominent, ridden before 2 out, not fluent last, weakened flat
held up, headway 7th, challenged last, soon led, pushed out, comfortably
held up in touch in mid-division, last from 6th, not fluent 4 out, well beaten after 3 out, pulled up before next
held up in rear, mistake 2nd, closed on outside 7th, challenged 2 out, led before jumping right last, soon headed, stayed on same pace
led, mistake 4 out, headed approaching 2 out, weakened flat
The market may be a good guide in this as the top four are all making their debuts over the larger obstacles. Be On Time has run 11 times over fences in France and the UK but only won once and was beaten 17 lengths off a lower mark at Fakenham last month. Fellow four year old Istimraar has caught the eye in both runs over hurdles for Dan Skelton but WOLF SWORD is preferred. Consistent over timber last season, he has the scope to make a chaser and George Moore would not have sent him down from Middleham without good reason.
Too Much Too Soon (IRE) 33-1 (10-4) Chased leaders, not fluent and unseated rider 4th, at Huntingdon 2m hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Wolf Sword (IRE) 9-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, headway 3 out, in 5th before 2 out, weakened before last, 5th of 9, 31 1/4l behind Mustmeetalady (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 4f (4) gd in Oct.
Istimraar (IRE) 13-8fav (11-9) Tracked leading pair, went 2nd approaching 3 out, led next, headed bend approaching last, ridden and kept on one pace, 2nd of 5, 1 1/2l behind Gin And Tonic (10-3) at Fakenham 2m hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Allow Dallow (IRE) 5-1fav (11-11) In touch on inside, pushed along chasing leaders before 3 out, weakened quickly and eased before 2 out, 9th of 14, dist behind Chilworth Screamer (11-0) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp (4) gd in May.
Be On Time (FR) 2-1fav (11-5) Tracked leaders, chased winner from 4 out, ridden before 2 out, no impression, 2nd of 7, 17l behind Artifice Sivola (11-12) at Fakenham 2m hcp (4) gs in Oct.
Trojan Star (IRE) 9-1 (10-9) Held up in rear, headway 4 out, ridden before 2 out, weakened approaching last, 5th of 7, 10 1/4l behind Walden Prince (11-7) at Huntingdon 2m hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Old Storm (IRE) 25-1 (11-12) Led and disputed, slight mistake 4 out, soon ridden and no extra next, weakened and tailed off, 4th of 5, dist behind Don Vincenzo (11-12) at Punchestown 2m 4f gd in Oct.
