tracked leaders, disputed lead briefly approaching 2 out, lost position and pushed along, unseated rider after 2 out
prominent, pushed along and weakened quickly 5th, tailed off after 3 out
tracked leaders, switched wide and travelling well after 3 out, made challenge and disputed lead 2 out, quickened clear run to the last, extended advantage run-in
tracked leaders on the inner, every chance when travelling easy and disputed the lead 2 out, pushed along approaching the last, soon ridden and weakened run-in
prominent, ridden along when pressed 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, tailed off last
prominent, pushed along and disputed lead 2 out, soon ridden and weakened, well held close home
tracked leaders and kept wide, joined leading group after the 3rd, pushed along after 3 out, disputed lead and every chance 2 out, soon ridden and outpaced approaching last, stayed on after the last but lost 3rd final 110 yards
held up in rear, pushed along and slightly detached 2 out, ridden and stayed on well approaching the last, kept on to take 3rd final 110 yards
held up in rear, much closer and tracked leaders 3 out, pushed along after 2 out, switched right approaching last, took 2nd and chased leader last, kept on but no match for the winner
Archi's Affaire goes handicapping over hurdles for the first time having burst a blood vessel at Carlisle in October. SAINT ARVANS is another handicap debutant but won a maiden hurdle over course and distance in October when beating Trooper Turnbull, due to run in the opening race, and may well figure in what looks a weak contest. The veteran Vengeur De Guye can race off a lower mark back over hurdles but his only win in this discipline came way back in 2014 while Coup De Gold finished closer at Hexham last time and may prove best of the rest.
Archi's Affaire 10-3 (10-12) Led until 1st, chased leader until 5th, weakened and pulled up before 2 out, at Carlisle 2m 1f (4) gd in Oct.
Tree Of Liberty (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Prominent, lost ground and weakened 4 out, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, at Warwick 2m 5f hcp (4) gd in Sep.
Saint Arvans (FR) 14-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, pushed along after 3 out, outpaced before next, plugged on run-in, 5th of 13, 19 1/4l behind Bareback Jack (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m (4) gd in Nov.
Vengeur De Guye (FR) 11-1 (12-0) Towards rear, mistake 7th and pushed along, headway 4 out, ridden before 2 out, well adrift approaching last, kept on flat, 3rd of 8, 15 1/4l behind Cedar Hill (10-11) at Kelso 2m 1f hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Pass Rusher (IRE) 14-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, headway into midfield before 4th, lost ground when ridden before 2 out, pulled up before last, at Hexham 2m 4f mdn (4) sft in Oct.
Coup De Gold (IRE) 9-1 (11-1) Prominent, not fluent 1st and dropped behind leaders, ridden and weakened before last, 6th of 8, 6 1/4l behind Hart Of Steel (11-7) at Hexham 2m hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Paper Promise (IRE) 10-3 (11-7) Held up in rear, not fluent 1st, headway when hampered 5th, no extra from normal 3 out (actual 2 out), 5th of 9, 14 1/2l behind Pammi (11-4) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Feb.
Lord Condi (IRE) 22-1 (11-3) Held up towards rear, awkward 1st, blundered 5th, ridden after 8th, plugged on under pressure from 2 out, 6th of 13, 16 1/2l behind Celtic Flames (11-11) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Getaway Gerry 28-1 (10-11) Chased leaders, lost place and not fluent 3 out, soon weakened, 13th of 15, dist behind Rob Royal (11-8) at Kelso 2m hcp (4) gd in Oct.
