raced keenly, held up in last pair, tracked leading trio 3rd, pushed along and slightly outpaced after 3 out, plugged on into modest 3rd run-in, no chance with leading duo
pressed leader, challenged 5th, pushed along before 2 out, ridden and lost 2nd between last two, 3rd and held when blundered last, weakened into 4th run-in
sometimes jumped right, led, ridden between last two, headed approaching the last, driven and kept on same pace run-in
never that fluent, tracked leading pair, not fluent 2nd and 5th, pushed along to close before 2 out, 2nd between last two, driven to lead approaching the last, stayed on strongly to forge clear run-in
pulled hard early, held up tracking leading trio until 3rd, soon behind and struggling, tailed off
Yanworth’s only defeat over hurdles so far came in last season’s Neptune Investment at Cheltenham. He’s undoubtedly a smart performer and will strip fitter for his defeat of Lil Rockerfeller in a Grade 2 at Ascot but his last three runs have been over longer trips. THE NEW ONE (NAP) is on course for a fourth stab at the Champion Hurdle after beating old rival My Tent Or Yours, winner of this in 2013, by more than three lengths at Cheltenham. He was only second in this 12 months ago but has no Faugheen to worry about this year. Ch'tibello had My Tent Or Yours back in third when scoring at Haydock but the latter is a couple of pounds better off today and Dan Skelton’s charge would need a considerable career-best to follow up.
Ch'tibello (FR) 5-1 (11-1) Tracked leader, led 3 out, kept on well from last, won at Haydock 2m (2) hvy in Nov beating Melodic Rendezvous (11-3) by 2 1/4l, 4 ran.
My Tent Or Yours (IRE) 7-4 (11-0) Held up, went 2nd before 4th, not fluent 2 out, ridden after last, no impression on winner final 150 yards, 2nd of 6, 3 1/2l behind The New One (11-8) at Cheltenham 2m 1f (1) sft in Dec.
The New One (IRE) 13-8fav (11-8) Made all, jumped slightly right at times, driven and stayed on well flat, won at Cheltenham 2m 1f (1) sft in Dec beating My Tent Or Yours (11-0) by 3 1/2l, 6 ran.
Yanworth 4-5fav (11-4) Took keen hold, held up tracking leaders in 4th, headway on outside into 2nd 2 out, ridden before the last, driven upsides run-in, stayed on to lead final 100 yards, won at Ascot 2m 3f (1) gs in Nov beating Lil Rockerfeller (11-8) by 3/4l, 5 ran.
Gray Wolf River 50-1 (10-0) Held up in rear, well beaten after 3 out, 9th of 10, 22 3/4l behind Shimba Hills (11-11) at Plumpton 2m hcp (5) gs in Dec.
