led, headed briefly 3 out, soon in front again, pushed along before 2 out, left clear 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on strongly to go clear before last
pulled hard, held up in 4th, 3rd place 2nd, tracked winner 4th, led briefly 3 out, chased winner, pushed along and held when blundered and lost 2nd 2 out, weakened, mistake last
chased leading pair until 2nd, chased leaders in 4th, pushed along before next, ridden and weakened before 3 out, went poor 4th towards finish
held up last but well in touch, headway into 3rd travelling well before 2 out, 2nd 2 out, ridden and no impression before last, stayed on for clear 2nd
tracked winner until 4th, chased leading pair but not on terms when fluent 3 out, pushed along and outpaced when lost 3rd well before next, weakened into poor 5th towards finish
TAPER TANTRUM is two from two over hurdles with both victories coming on sharp tracks. He may have too much pace for Black Corton, who would possibly be suited by a stiffer course having already been beaten at Wincanton and Newton Abbot. Solstalla has been in decent form but she probably has a bit to find with the aforementioned pair on these terms. New Agenda was a maiden on the Flat and is quite highly tried on his jumps debut.
Black Corton (FR) 1-4fav (11-5) Never fluent, made all, clear when mistake last,comfortably, won at Newton Abbot 2m 2f (4) gd in Oct beating Djarkalin (10-12) by 2 1/4l, 8 ran.
Taper Tantrum (IRE) 4-5fav (11-5) Tracked leader, going well, led on home turn, soon clear, easily, won at Stratford 2m (4) gd in Sep beating The Outlaw (11-5) by 15l, 9 ran.
Deebaj (IRE) 16-1 (9-11) Tracked leader, hard driven over 4f out, soon lost place, 4th of 7, 19 1/4l behind Flower Of Love (9-0) at Chester 1m 2f mdn stks (4) gs in Sep.
New Agenda 7-2 (9-7) Tracked leaders, ridden and hung right from over 2f out, challenged over 1f out, unable to quicken towards finish, 4th of 12, 2l behind Pike Corner Cross (8-8) at Kempton 1m hcp (5) pol in May.
Solstalla 5-1 (11-9) Held up last, mistake and pushed along 6th, modest 4th before 2 out, ridden and went 3rd run-in, no chance with leading duo, 3rd of 5, 8 3/4l behind Hygrove Percy (10-6) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp (3) gd in Sep.