keen in touch in rear, pushed along 2 out, never on terms
prominent, led 3rd, hit next, edged left next, ridden and headed 2 out, chased winner until next, kept on same pace
tracked leaders, led 2 out, not fluent next, ridden out(only 8 hurdles jumped, all hurdles omitted in back straight)
led, headed 3rd, prominent, ridden and weakened 2 out
close up, ridden and slightly outpaced 2 out, rallied approaching next, stayed on
tracked leader, ridden and outpaced approaching 2 out, rallied to chase winner when hit last, stayed on
close up, headway 2 out, ridden and weakened next
The progressive KHAN won a tougher handicap at Lingfield recently and is only 3lb higher. He gets the vote in an open contest having also beaten Neverbeen To Paris at Huntingdon last month. The latter has subsequently won at Plumpton while Not At Present is another on the upgrade having won two of his last four outings including at Bangor last time. Inca Rose returns to action having placed in a maiden at Warwick that has worked out well while Mellow Ben reverts to hurdling off a 7lb lower mark on his first start since June.
Mellow Ben (IRE) 12-1 (10-0) Held up in midfield, headway to chase leaders 4 out, ran on, 3rd of 16, 13 1/2l behind Storm Home (10-0) at Uttoxeter 3m 2f hcp lst (1) gd in Jun.
Inca Rose 2-1 (11-4) Led until after 2nd, chased leaders, pushed along after 6th, challenged 4 out, edged right and led 2 out, driven flat, headed towards finish, 2nd of 8, nk behind Monty Guiry (11-4) at Warwick 3m 1f mdn (4) gs in May.
Not At Present (IRE) 4-1 (12-1) Chased leaders, led 7th, ridden and headed last, soon led again, held on, won at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 7f hcp (4) gs in Oct beating Hillview (10-9) by nk, 9 ran.
Neverbeen To Paris (IRE) 10-3 (11-13) Prominent, pushed along after 3 out, ridden before last, stayed on well to lead final 50yds, won at Plumpton 2m 5f hcp (4) gs in Nov beating Henschke (11-2) by 1 1/4l, 12 ran.
Khan (GER) 15-8fav (10-1) Towards rear, headway to press leader and not fluent 3 out, driven along before 2 out, led 2 out, went clear after last, reduced lead closing stages, always doing enough, won at Lingfield 2m 7f hcp (3) gs in Nov beating Dolphin Square (11-11) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Vaziani (FR) 33-1 (11-8) Tracked leader, lost place and ridden home turn, soon struggling, 7th of 10, dist behind Certainly Red (11-7) at Chepstow 3m hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Major Robinson (IRE) 8-1 (11-9) Mid-division, headway 8th, every chance 3 out, beaten 2 out, no extra, 6th of 15, 20l behind Tip Top Cat (11-9) at Exeter 2m 7f hcp (4) gs in Nov.
