mid-division, weakened before 2 out
behind, reminders before 3rd, soon in rear and pushed along, tailed off before 5 out, pulled up
towards rear, ridden after 4 out, soon weakened, pulled up
with leader, led after 1st, headed 4 out, weakened from next
held up in touch, weakened from 4 out, pulled up
always towards rear, tailed off before 5 out, pulled up
held up towards rear, headway from 4 out, went 4th from 2 out, went 3rd after last, kept on same pace
tracked leaders, led 4 out, clear before last
mid-division, headway before 3 out, chased winner before 2 out, soon weakened
tracked leader, lost place before 5 out, pulled up
towards rear, jumped left and unseated rider 2nd
led, mistake 1st, soon headed, remained close up until lost place halfway, pulled up before 5 out
in rear, ridden before 2 out, headway soon after, no extra from last
held up mid-division, went 3rd from 3 out, chased winner from 2 out, no impression
Applaus has been comfortably accounted for on both hurdling starts, although the nature of his latest third placing at Newcastle received a massive boost when the winner that day, Elgin, outclassed a high-quality field at Kempton on King George day. He'll be in the mix on that evidence but another chance is afforded to BLAKERIGG. Nicky Richards always adopts a patient approach with novice hurdlers and this son of Presenting is surely better than he displayed when out the back on his hurdling debut despite being sent off market leader. He looked a potentially useful sort when runner-up on his sole bumper run and can show his true worth now. Lough Derg Jewel and Largy Bull look quite exposed but do also look next best as there appears to be plenty of dead wood here, although Chu Chu Percy may improve for first-time blinkers.
Applaus (GER) 15-2 (11-0) Held up mid-division, headway before 4th, not fluent 4 out, soon pushed along, kept on same pace, 3rd of 11, 20 1/2l behind Elgin (11-0) at Newcastle 2m mdn (4) sft in Nov.
Bafana Blue 125-1 (11-2) In touch, weakened over 4f out, 8th of 12, 24 1/4l behind Solighoster (11-2) at Newcastle 2m mdn (6) gs in Nov.
Blakerigg (IRE) 7-4fav (10-12) Held up in touch, chased leaders 4th, reminder after 4 out, weakened from next, 5th of 7, 29 1/2l behind Mr Monochrome (10-12) at Ayr 2m (4) gs in Oct.
Chu Chu Percy 25-1 (10-12) Led, ridden and headed before 3 out, weakened before last, 7th of 8, 21 3/4l behind Kimberlite Candy (11-5) at Newcastle 2m 6f (4) sft in Dec.
Devils Water 66-1 (10-12) Towards rear, effort over 2f out, never dangerous, 12th of 15, 37l behind Silver Bullion (10-12) at Ayr 2m (6) sft in Dec.
Emerald Thief (IRE) 66-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, pushed along over 2f out, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 6th of 13, 13 1/2l behind Mayo Star (11-0) at Newcastle 2m (6) sft in Dec.
Largy Bull (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) In touch, mistake 3rd, headway 4 out, pushed along before 3 out, weakened before last, 5th of 11, 15 1/2l behind Progress Drive (10-12) at Ayr 2m 4f (4) sft in Dec.
Lough Derg Jewel (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Led, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, soon weakened, just held on to 3rd, 3rd of 6, 17 1/2l behind Keeper Hill (10-12) at Bangor 2m 4f (4) sft in Nov.
Minella Suite (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders in 3rd, weakened from 2 out, 6th of 11, 33 1/2l behind Elgin (11-0) at Newcastle 2m mdn (4) sft in Nov.
Multipede 25-1 (11-2) Towards rear, headway 4f out, ridden and wekened 2f out, 5th of 12, 16l behind Solighoster (11-2) at Newcastle 2m mdn (6) gs in Nov.
Our Morris (IRE) 11-1 (10-12) In touch, pushed along and weakened over 1f out, 6th of 9, 16 1/2l behind Oxwich Bay (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 1f (6) sft in Nov.
Rebel Roger 6-1 (12-0) Prsd wnr til outpcd 14; poor 2nd when fell 3 out, at Charm Park 3m mdn sft in Mar.
Rocku 40-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, tailed off 9th, pulled up before 2 out, at Hexham 2m 7f mdn (5) gd in May.
Better Back Bracka (IRE) 100-1 (11-7) Mid-division, 9th 4 out, pushed along next, kept on one paced, 5th of 19, 13 1/4l behind Pravalaguna (11-3) at Navan 2m 4f mdn Yielding - Soft in Dec.
