held up in 3rd, tracked leader before 3 out, led 3 out, not fluent 2 out, soon drew clear on bridle, not fluent last, easily
led at good gallop and went clear, reduced lead and mistake 5th, headed before 3 out, weakened quickly after 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
chased clear leader, headway to lead before 3 out, bad mistake and headed 3 out, ridden and weakened before 2 out
towards rear, not fluent 3 out, some headway before 2 out, ridden and stayed on steadily from well before last, never troubled leaders
mid-division, ridden after 3 out, soon well beaten and pulled up before last
mid-division, closed up to track leaders after 3 out, ridden and left behind by leader after 2 out, kept on but no match for easy winner
in rear, headway into 5th after 3 out, ridden in 3rd after 2 out, not fluent and weakened last
in rear, always behind and beaten before 3 out, pulled up
mid-division on inside, chased leaders after 3 out, weakened before 2 out
Nicky Richards looks to have found a good opportunity for SOFT RISK to remain unbeaten. The bumper winner scored at Ayr on his hurdling debut and can defy a penalty in this moderate company. Hector Master looked beaten when falling at Perth on his hurdling bow though is still preferred to stablemate Fethard Glory while bumper winner Scots Poet has failed to figure over timber so far and Racks Cross is fitted with a tongue-tie.
Soft Risk (FR) 1-2fav (10-12) Chased leader, led 2 out, ridden and asserted flat, stayed on well, readily, won at Ayr 2m (4) gs in Nov beating Well Planted (10-12) by 5l, 11 ran.
Breaking Records (IRE) 300-1 (11-4) Keen in rear, outpaced 5th, 9th of 11, 30 1/4l behind Lupus Regem (11-4) at Newcastle 2m mdn (4) gs in Dec.
Hector Master (FR) 14-1 (10-10) Chased leaders, not fluent 2 out, 5 lengths down in 3rd and held when fell last, at Perth 2m (4) gs in Sep.
Lewa House 100-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, hit 1st, not fluent 4th, ridden and weakened 2 out, 8th of 11, 33 1/2l behind Corrigeen Rock (11-3) at Kelso 2m mdn (4) gd in Oct.
Room At The Top (IRE) 150-1 (10-12) In touch, ridden 4 out, weakened next, pulled up last, at Newcastle 2m 6f (4) gs in Dec.
Scots Poet 80-1 (11-4) In touch, headway 4th, ridden 3 out, no impression, 7th of 12, 20 1/2l behind Donny Boy (11-4) at Newcastle 2m mdn (4) gs in Dec.
Warriors Story 125-1 (10-12) In touch, headway 3 out, pecked next, soon weakened, 8th of 12, 34 3/4l behind Famous Bridge (10-12) at Ayr 2m 3f (4) gs in Nov.
Fethard Glory (IRE) 11-1 (10-5) Held up 3rd, outpaced 2 out, no chance after, last of 3, dist behind Ibbenburen (11-5) at Kelso 2m 5f (4) gd in Oct.
Racks Cross (IRE) 28-1 (10-5) Led until before 2nd, stayed handy, ridden and weakened before last, 5th of 10, 32 1/4l behind Liffeydale Dreamer (10-5) at Cartmel 2m 6f (4) gs in Jul.
Chinese Spirit (IRE) 125-1 (11-0) Took keen hold, close up, lost place 3rd, weakened 4 out, 10th of 12, dist behind Lebowski (11-7) at Ayr 2m (4) gs in Nov.
Goast Dancer (FR) 50-1 (11-4) Towards rear, ridden 3 out, never on terms, 8th of 12, 29 1/2l behind Donny Boy (11-4) at Newcastle 2m mdn (4) gs in Dec.