raced wide, led to 2nd, stayed prominent, went 2nd before 2 out, led as leader, reluctant 2 out, clear before last, ridden right out
held up in touch, headway to chase leaders 3 out, weakened well before next, tailed off
held up well in rear, stayed on after 3 out, went 3rd after 2 out, never near front pair
chased leaders until lost place before 5th, tailed off 3 out
led 2nd to 3rd, prominent until ridden and lost place after 6th, struggling in last 4 out, tailed off next and soon pulled up
not fluent, soon behind, tailed off 3 out
never reached beyond mid-division, tailed off 3 out
held up in touch, headway to chase leaders before 7th, went 2nd 3 out until driven and dropped to 3rd and mistake 2 out, weakened
chased leaders, led 4th, reluctant, not resolute and headed 2 out, gave up completely
held up in rear, not fluent 5th, tailed off 3 out
held up, plugged on from 3 out, into modest 5th 2 out
chased leaders, led 3rd to next, chased leader until lost place 4 out, tailed off when pulled up after next
Kennel Hill without doubt sets the standard but we'll take a chance on THE MINACK reversing past form to score, with Proud Presence best of the rest. Our selection was well backed before disappointing last time when Kennel Hill was leagues ahead in second. However, the Nicholls runner was going well enough when he made a bad mistake three from home and that seemed to completely take the wind from his sails and, in the hope any jumping errors have been ironed out, he might be value to reverse the form. The trip and ground will be absolutely fine for this King's Theatre-gelding and he can resume the progress shown prior to that disappointment last time out. Kennel Hill had started to look exposed as a modest chaser before switching to hurdles, a change that has paid off as he has proved to be much better suited by the smaller obstacles. Rated 144 on the back of a second to Tell Massini at Cheltenham which was followed by a fourth behind some similarly promising sorts, plenty will side with the Goldsworthy-runner and our selection does have plenty to find on the face of it. It'll be interesting to see how the market shapes up but in the hope that The Minack might be twice the price of his old rival, he rates the pick. The others all look up against it on what we've seen so far but Proud Presence may yet be capable of better. Second on his hurdling bow, the Nicky Henderson runner should be suited by stepping up in trip, but the form from that debut doesn't look all that strong and he's plenty to find to land this with the ground also a concern. Even so he may get the better of Alasi in the predicted battle for third, the last-named having to concede weight owing to his two narrow victories over hurdles. Paul Webber's mare has plenty to find with the front two on paper and might just be flying too high here, with a couple of unexposed sorts looking set to improve past her. Ashleys Lad is one such runner, as his third to Sonowyouno looks a solid start to his hurdling career, whilst the figures give Punjabi Army a chance although this one looks flattered by his official mark and has been disappointing of late. Kiribati King was a decent staying handicapper on the level but will be found easier opportunities than this in the future, whilst I've Been Framed has to find a lot of improvement from his first run over hurdles. Estates Recovery represents a strong yard but has little to recommend him, and so we'll return to The Minack who is selected to reverse past form and land the spoils.
The Minack (IRE) 11-4 (11-4) Held up, 8 lengths down in 6th when blundered 3 out, weakened and no chance after, 6th of 8, 18l behind Tell Massini (11-7) at Cheltenham 3m nov hdl G2 (1) sft in Dec.
Alasi 9-1 (10-12) Chased leader, led 2 out, ridden and stayed on under pressure flat, won at Doncaster 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Dec beating Moonstreaker (10-9) by 3/4l, 12 ran.
Ashleys Lad (IRE) 17-2 (10-12) Took keen hold, raced wide, held up, progressed 4th, ridden and outpaced before 2 out, mistake and went 2nd soon aftrer 2 out, hung left but stayed on well flat, 3rd of 11, 2 1/2l behind Sonowyouno (11-5) at Lingfield 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Estates Recovery (IRE) 66-1 (10-9) Held up in touch, lost place before 7th, tailed off, 12th of 15, well behind Duke Of Lucca (11-5) at Newbury 2m 3f NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) hvy in Dec.
Fusilade (FR) 50-1 (11-0) Held up, mid-division, headway 7f out, weakened over 2f out, 11th of 13, 47l behind Megastar (11-0) at Sandown 2m NH flat (5) gd in Nov.
Goring One (IRE) Broadway Flyer gelding out of Brigette's Secret.
Goring Two (IRE) Needle Gun gelding out of Kam Slave.
I've Been Framed (IRE) 28-1 (10-12) Held up, pushed along and outpaced 8th, kept on from 2 out, took 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 12, 9l behind Quentin Collonges (11-5) at Huntingdon 3m 2f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Kennel Hill (IRE) 22-1 (11-7) Pressed leader, hit 3 out, ridden after next, rallied gamely under pressure run-in, 4th of 11, 1 1/4l behind Reve De Sivola (11-7) at Newbury 2m 5f Novice Hurdle (Grade 1) (4yo+) (1) hvy in Dec.
Kiribati King (IRE) 10-1 (8-2) Raced keenly in mid-division, under pressure over 3f out, headway over 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 4th of 11, 2 1/2l behind Mudawin (8-6) at York 2m hcp 0-90 (3) gd in Jul (flat).
Proud Presence (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Pulled hard, in touch, ridden 2 out, every chance to press winner flat, unable to quicken towards finish, 2nd of 11, nk behind Ashfield's Dream (10-12) at Ascot 2m 3f nov hdl (3) gd in Nov.
Punjabi Army 6-1 (10-12) Prominent, ridden approaching 8th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Restless Harry (10-12) at Towcester 2m 5f NH nov hdl 4-6yo (3) hvy in Nov, 9 ran.
