held up in rear, weakened after 3 out, never a factor
keen hold, tracked leaders, mistakes 3rd and 4th, soon lost place, headway approaching 3 out, weakened next
pulled hard, held up in touch, tracked leaders 4th, driven to lead 2 out, clear before last, ran on well
held up in touch, slow 2nd, under pressure before 3 out, soon weakened
prominent, led 3rd, not fluent 5th, headed 2 out, faded approaching last
pulled hard in touch, tracked leaders 4th, effort 2 out, soon one pace
soon led, headed 3rd, remained prominent, driven to challenge approaching 3 out, soon weakened
Empire Levant was still a little green when scoring at Doncaster and is open to further improvement but stable companion Toubab was a big disappointment in the Tolworth Hurdle at Sandown last month and may not be one to take too short a price about in this company. Sire De Grugy is upped in class after wins at Fakenham and Folkestone, while Pullyoufingerout already looks exposed as a four-year-old and was well beaten at Newbury on his latest start. Yorgunnabelucky is improving but not quickly enough to suggest he'll break his duck against these so the vote goes to CELTUS. Successful three times in four starts over hurdles in France, this is his first start for Nicky Henderson but he still holds an entry in the Triumph Hurdle and is obviously held in some regard.
Points of View 11-4fav (11-3) Held up in rear, effort 3 out, no impression when not fluent 2 out, hit last, 7th of 8, 19l behind Black Jack Blues (11-5) at Ffos Las 2m hcp hdl 0-145 (2) gf in Oct.
Toubab (FR) 2-1 (11-7) Held up in 5th, moved into 4th 3rd, chased leading pair approaching 2 out, soon ridden along and no impresison, one pace, 3rd of 5, 11l behind Minella Class (11-7) at Sandown 2m nov hdl Grade 1 (1) hvy in Jan.
Sire De Grugy (FR) 2-9fav (11-10) Pulled hard, tracked leaders, challenged 5th, led 2 out, came well clear on long run to last, very easily, won at Folkestone 2m 1f nov hdl (4) sft beating Fireitfromye (11-3) by 16l, 6 ran.
Yorgunnabelucky (USA) 9-1 (11-2) Chased leading pair, went 2nd 5th, went left 3 out, ridden soon after, no chance with winner when dropped to 3rd before next, went left last, 3rd of 7, 26l behind Al Ferof (11-8) at Newbury 2m nh nov hdl (3) gs.
Celtus (FR) (10-7) won at Pau(FR) 2m 1f hdl sft in Jan, 8 ran.
Empire Levant (USA) 4-6fav (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway after 4 out, led on bit after 3 out, kept on well from last, driven out, won at Doncaster 2m 4yo hdl (3) gd in Jan beating Palawi (11-4) by 2 1/4l, 6 ran.
Pullyourfingerout (IRE) 4-1 (11-8) Led, not fluent 3rd, came to outside in straight before 3 out, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, soon no chance with leading duo and weakened between last 2, 5th of 8, 32l behind Grandouet (11-8) at Newbury 2m 3yo hdl (3) gs in Dec.
