in touch on inside, outpaced 3 out, soon lost place, weakened before next, tailed off
held up in touch, headway 3 out, led narrowly next, ridden last, kept on, headed post
led to after 2nd, mistake next, lost place 4th, soon behind, tailed off 6th
behind, struggling 6th, weakened 3 out
mid-division, outpaced after 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up before next
behind, outpaced when switched left 3 out, headway under pressure before next, kept on same pace, no impression with leaders
keen to post, in touch on outside, lost place 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up before next
in touch, chased winner after 3 out to before next, soon ridden, kept on same pace, no impression approaching last
behind, headway 3 out, outpaced next, no impression
in touch, outpaced 3 out, weakened before next
mid-division, chased leaders 3 out, outpaced next, kept on same pace, no impression
always behind
in touch, joined winner before 5th, lost place after 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off
mid-division, outpaced on outside after 3 out, never on terms
in touch, outpaced after 3 out, weakened from next
mid-division, chased leaders under pressure after 3 out, kept on same pace from next, no impression
mid-division on inside, mistake 3 out, soon outpaced, weakened next
pulled hard, went left 1st, led after next until hung left and headed on bend after 4th, pulled up before next
tracked leaders, left in lead on bend after 4th, headed narrowly 2 out, every chance when not fluent last, soon ridden, rallied flat, regained lead post
Nonrunner
Featherbed Lane beat Decoy over 2m at ascot on his reappearance and followed up in convincing fashion over 2m4f at Aintree. David Pipe's charge is now 17lb better off, however, and looks to have every chance of turning the tables. Ohio Gold is progressing nicely but has more on his plate than when successful at Folkestone and Plumpton, while it was disappointing to see Well Regarded turned over by Dubai Crest at Doncaster last time. A penalty may put paid to the chances of Hereford winner Lightning Strike. Nicky Henderson runs Rajdhani Express and Busker Royal so it's interesting that Barry Geraghty rides Act Of Kalanisi for Richard Newland, while American Trilogy may prove the pick of Paul Nicholls' pair. Timesawatin could be on a decent mark but so could SWINCOMBE FLAME, who represents last year's successful trainer/jockey combination and gets the vote today. Nick Williams' mare was a very smart performer in bumpers last season and, though both hurdle wins have come on ground with plenty of give, she has won on good going and her breeding suggests she'll thrive over this longer trip.
Spirit of Adjisa (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Led, hit 7th, headed approaching 3 out, weakening when blundered 2 out, 7th of 11, well behind Featherbed Lane (10-10) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp hdl (2) sft in Dec.
Featherbed Lane (IRE) 9-2 (10-10) Tracked leaders, not fluent 8th, challenged after 3 out, led before next, drew clear flat, comfortably, won at Aintree 2m 4f hcp hdl (2) sft in Dec beating Reindeer Dippin (10-13) by 14l, 11 ran.
Buena Vista (IRE) 10-1 (10-4) Led to 7th, remained prominent until weakened 3 out, 5th of 7, 32l behind Deireadh Re (9-7) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl (2) sft in Dec.
Son Of Flicka 33-1 (11-9) Held up in rear, ridden and struggling after 3rd, well behind 5th, tailed off, 9th of 13, well behind Safran De Cotte (9-10) at Haydock 2m 4f hcp hdl (2) hvy in Dec.
Domtaline (FR) 11-4 (10-12) Tracked leading pair, went 2nd after 4 out, led next, ridden and headed between last 2, kept on same pace, no chance with winner when lost 2nd flat, 3rd of 5, 9l behind Grandouet (11-6) at Haydock 2m 4yo hdl (2) gs in Nov.
American Trilogy (IRE) 7-1 (11-6) Held up towards rear, blundered 3rd, headway 3 out, ridden before 2 out, no impression, 5th of 12, 13l behind Quicuyo (11-10) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp chs 0-140 (3) gs in Dec.
Rajdhani Express 16-1 (10-3) Held up in touch, effort approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 8th of 16, 8l behind Raya Star (10-1) at Ascot 2m Listed hcp hdl (1) sft in Dec.
Act Of Kalanisi (IRE) 14-1 (9-8) Tracked leaders, every chance 2 out, weakened before last, 6th of 16, 5l behind Raya Star (10-1) at Ascot 2m Listed hcp hdl (1) sft in Dec.
Zanir (FR) 11-1 (10-13) Held up in touch, ridden approaching last, went 4th at hurdle, no impression, weakened flat, 6th of 13, 36l behind Safran De Cotte (9-10) at Haydock 2m 4f hcp hdl (2) hvy in Dec.
Ohio Gold (IRE) 4-9fav (10-12) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 5th, slight advantage 4 out, came clear from before 2 out, easily, won at Plumpton 2m 5f nov hdl (4) sft in Dec beating Isleofhopendreams (10-12) by 22l, 13 ran.
Well Regarded (IRE) 5-4fav (11-9) Led, ridden and headed before last, soon outpaced, rallied to regain 2nd place after last, held by winner, 2nd of 6, 1 1/2l behind Dubai Crest (10-6) at Doncaster 2m Handicap Hurdle (0-140) (3yo+) (3) gs in Dec.
El Dancer (GER) 13-8fav (11-0) Tracked leading pair, effort 3 out to next, soon ridden and one pace, no impression approaching lasst, 3rd of 5, 5l behind Empress Orchid (10-4) at Wetherby 2m beg chs (5) sft in Dec.
Decoy (FR) Evensfav (10-10) Led, not fluent and headed last, no extra towards finish, 2nd of 9, 2 1/4l behind Featherbed Lane (10-11) at Ascot 2m hcp hdl 0-145 (2) gd in Nov.
Lightning Strike (GER) 13-2 (11-12) Held up in touch on outside, led approaching 3 out, clear from next, easily, won at Hereford 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-120 (4) sft beating Triptico (11-3) by 10l, 8 ran.
Eastlake (IRE) 3-1fav (11-7) Took keen hold tracking leaders, went 2nd before 4 out, led 4 out, headed under pressure between last 2, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 11, 2 1/4l behind Gambo (10-5) at Chepstow 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Oct.
Kuilsriver (IRE) 15-2 (11-0) Tracked leaders, 4th and outpaced after 3 out, stayed on to go moderate 3rd last, no chance with leading pair, 3rd of 5, 24l behind Tetlami (11-5) at Kempton 2m nh nov hdl (2) gs in Dec.
Busker Royal 16-1 (11-4) Mid-division on inside, headway 3 out, soon challenged, lost place next, kept on same pace, 5th of 17, 14l behind Knight Pass (11-2) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Dec.
Timesawastin (IRE) 14-1 (10-12) Led, driven between last 2, hard pressed when hit last, ridden and headed narrowly when edged left flat, kept under pressure, 2nd of 18, 2l behind Rangitoto (10-11) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-140 (3) gs in Nov.
Swincombe Flame 4-6fav (11-3) With leader, led 3rd, ridden between last 2, held on well, won at Wincanton 2m mrs nov hdl (4) sft in Dec beating Queens Bay (11-3) by 4 1/2l, 9 ran.
Drumshambo (USA) 9-1 (11-11) In touch on inside, led narrowly before 2 out, ridden and kept on under pressure flat, held on near finish, won at Taunton 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gs in Dec beating Prince Of Dreams (11-9) by 3/4l, 15 ran.
