held up in rear, outpaced after 5 out, never near leaders
held up behind, struggling when not fluent 10th, never dangerous
not fluent 2nd, tracked winner to 5th, in touch, lost place 7th, behind from 5 out, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
in touch, tracked winner 5th, not fluent and lost place 5 out, soon outpaced, stayed on under pressure to regain 2nd flat, no chance with winner
tracked leaders, went 2nd 5 out, 4 lengths down when blundered 3 out, no chance with winner from next, lost 2nd flat, burst blood vessel
made all, 4 lengths clear when blundered 4 out, drew readily clear from 2 out, eased flat, comfortably
held up in 5th, chased leading pair under pressure 4 out, to 2 out, never on terms
Kellystown Lad has to concede 7lb to his rivals after getting off the mark at Sedgefield in November. That may prove a tough task with some potentially useful types in opposition. The lightly-raced Great Reason has yet to finish out of the frame in five career starts and won over hurdles at Ludlow last year, while Hidden Keel made a satisfactory first appearance over fences despite being beaten in a match at Exeter. Swansbrook hasn't many miles on the clock for his age but FREDO sets a fair standard after coming up against decent novices in his first two starts over the larger obstacles. His jumping looks sound and he can make it third-time lucky here.
Kellystown Lad (IRE) 11-4 (11-1) Held up in rear and raced wide, headway approaching 11th, soon chased leaders, led approaching last and jumped right, kept on well, won at Sedgefield 2m 4f beg chs (4) sft in Nov beating Pokanoket (10-5) by 2 3/4l, 7 ran.
Alderluck (IRE) 6-1 (10-10) Tracked leader, led 5th to after next, led again before 3 out, 1 length clear and driven when fell heavily next, in a race won by Working Title (11-3) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp hdl (2) gd in Nov, 9 ran.
Canticle 9-2 (11-2) Tracked leaders on inside, jumped slow 1st, hit 5th, weakened from 10th, 5th of 7, well behind Smuglin (10-9) at Market Rasen 2m 6f beg chs (4) gs in Nov.
Fredo (IRE) 9-2 (11-1) Close up, chased leader 8th, led 11th, joined next, ridden and headed 4 out, chased winner, stayed on flat, 2nd of 6, 3 1/2l behind Master Of The Hall (11-1) at Ascot 2m 5f beg chs (3) gs in Nov.
Great Reason 11-10fav (11-7) Tracked leaders, driven to lead approaching 2out, ridden and headed approaching last, no extra, 2nd of 9, 4l behind Ravethebrave (11-1) at Kempton 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Hidden Keel 2-1 (11-0) Raced keenly, tracked sole rival, effort 3 out, ridden to challenge between last 2, every chance when pecked last, led briefly flat, no extra towards finish, last of 2, 1 3/4l behind Tarablaze (11-0) at Exeter 2m 3f nov chs (2) gs in Dec.
Swansbrook (IRE) 16-1 (10-13) Mid-division, mistake 2nd and 5th, lost place 3 out, soon ridden and weakened, 14th of 18, 41l behind Red Harbour (10-11) at Sandown 2m 4f Grade 3 nov hcp hdl (1) gs in Mar.
Quo Video (FR) 40-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, reminders 5 out, soon pulled up, tailed off, in a race won by Silviniaco Conti (11-7) at Chepstow 2m 4f nov hdl G2 (1) sft in Oct, 8 ran.
