made all, clear approaching last, eased towards finish
tracked winner, challenged 5th, ridden and lost 2nd after 3 out, well held 2 out
held up in rear, behind from 7th, tailed off
held up in touch, took keen hold, wandered 2nd, behind from 7th, tailed off
tracked leaders, not fluent and reminders 7th, chased winner after 3 out, beaten when not fluent last
held up in rear, took keen hold, not fluent 1st, progress to go 4th approaching 7th, not fluent 3 out, no impression
held up in touch, not fluent, behind from 7th, tailed off
held up in 6th, jumped left 6th, soon ridden, weakened next, tailed off
Nonrunner
Glitzy D'Ocala won an Exeter bumper by 15 lengths on his first start for Philip Hobbs. He looks to have a bright future if his jumping proves up to scratch but connections probably didn't expect to come up against a Grade 2 winner here in the shape of CHAMPION COURT. Martin Keighley's runner beat much more experienced rivals on his hurdling bow at Cheltenham in November and runner-up Sybarite just failed to land a very competitive novice event at Kempton 10 days ago - the six-year-old can add to his tally in this. Tornado Bob won a maiden hurdle at Uttoxeter last month but will find things much tougher here under his penalty. Lord Liath, second at Exeter earlier in the month, is improving however and has place claims.
Tornado Bob (IRE) Evensfav (11-0) Tracked leaders and keen, led 5th, clear before 3 out and pecked badly, about 15 lengths clear when blundered last, eased towards finish, won at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) hvy in Dec beating Herdsman (11-0) by 13l, 11 ran.
Glitzy D'ocala (FR) 7-2 (11-5) In touch on inside, headway over 4f out, led 2f out, soon clear, stayed on strongly, driven out, won at Exeter 2m 1f mdn NH flat (6) gs beating Billy Merriott (11-0) by 15l, 14 ran.
Group Leader (IRE) 2-1fav (10-4) Held up in mid-division, headway approaching, one pace, 6th of 15, 10l behind Shilpa (10-4) at Huntingdon 2m mdn hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Kauto Cyreo (FR) 25-1 (11-4) Led after about 1f, headed halfway, weakened over 4f out, 9th of 12, well behind Total Submission (11-4) at Southwell 2m NH flat (6) gd in Apr.
Lord Liath (IRE) 5-1 (10-12) Held up in mid-division, headway headway 4 out, chased leaders 3 out, went 2nd last, stayed on under pressure flat, 2nd of 16, 1l behind Filbert (10-12) at Exeter 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gs.
Lucky Sunny (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) In rear and keen, never on terms, 9th of 16, 33l behind Backspin (10-12) at Bangor 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gd in Dec.
Tippering (IRE) 6-1 (11-5) Pressed leader on inside, reminder 4 out, soon lost place, weakened from next, 6th of 13, well behind Buddy Holly (11-5) at Towcester 2m mdn hdl (4) sft.
The Hon Tara 66-1 (10-5) Always towards rear, blundered 8th, soon struggling, tailed off before 3 out, last of 12, well behind Jetnova (11-5) at Plumpton 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Champion Court (IRE) 5-1 (11-0) Held up in last trio, steady headway and hit 3 out, hit 2 out, closed on leaders between last 2, led approaching last, stayed on strongly flat, driven out, won at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov hdl G2 (1) gs in Nov beating Sybarite (11-0) by 7l, 8 ran.
Direct Approach (IRE) 150-1 (10-12) Not fluent, mid-division, mistake 1st, ridden and struggling in rear 6th, tailed off and pulled up soon after, in a race won by Habbie Simpson (11-5) at Warwick 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov, 17 ran.
Saute 100-1 (10-7) Chased leaders until ridden and weakened 3 out, 10th of 15, 29l behind Our Father (11-0) at Chepstow 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) sft.
