in rear, not fluent 1st, slow next and 10th, some headway 12th, outpaced before 4 out, well beaten from 3 out, went 4th towards finish
prominent early, tracked leaders, hampered 6th, hit next, challenged 10th, left in lead next, headed 4 out, lost 2nd 2 out, weakened before last
prominent until 4th, chased leaders, switched right and mistake 4 out, weakening when blundered 3 out
held up towards rear, last when mistake 10th, jumped right and unseated rider 12th
led until 4th, 5th when hampered and unseated rider 11th
prominent, led 4th, fell 11th
slow 1st, jumped left and slow next, soon towards rear, headway when mistake 12th, not fluent 14th, chased winner from 2 out, no impression flat
towards rear, hit 7th, hampered 11th, some headway next, outpaced from 4 out, weakened from next
chased leaders, closed 5th, led 3 out, stayed on well flat
This looks wide-open though Star Of Rory still has much to prove over fences. Waikiki Waves scored off a pound higher mark over course and distance last season and got back to winning ways over hurdles recently at Lingfield. The slightly longer trip should help Plumpton third Silent Assistant but we’ll give a final chance to ZUCKERBERG (NAP), who can’t get much lower in the weights and will appreciate today’s quicker going. San Agustin has only gone up 3lb for his track and trip success so rates a danger but Percussion’s win at Fontwell came over 3m2f on heavy ground.
Waikiki Waves (FR) 18-1 (11-10) Tracked leader, disputed lead under 3 out, led 2 out, pressed after last and ran on well, won at Lingfield 2m 7f hcp (5) hvy in Dec beating Doyen Queen (10-11) by 1 1/2l, 14 ran.
Percussion 11-2 (11-12) Held up, rapid headway to track leaders 4 out, ridden and outpaced 2 out, plenty to do from last, stayed on strongly final 100 yards, won going away, won at Fontwell 3m 2f hcp (4) hvy in Dec beating Ivilnoble (10-4) by 2 3/4l, 8 ran.
Silent Assistant (IRE) 15-2 (12-1) Chased leaders, went 2nd 4th, pushed along bypassing 3 out, soon lost 2nd and outpaced, plugged on into modest 3rd run-in, no chance with leading duo, 3rd of 10, 10 1/4l behind Tip Top Mountain (10-12) at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Jan.
First Class Return (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Towards rear, pushed along and struggling at 10th, no chance when bad mistake 3 out, never on terms, tailed off, last of 9, 27 1/2l behind Family Business (11-1) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Jan.
Star of Rory (IRE) 17-2 (11-12) Mid division, ridden and outpaced 4 out, weakened 2 out, plugged on in distant 3rd, 3rd of 9, 20l behind Docpickedme (12-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
Roccowithlove 20-1 (11-12) Ran in snatches, chased leaders, hit 10th and slightly lost place, rallied next, hit 5 out and struggling, soon behind, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out, at Ffos Las 3m hcp (4) hvy in Jan.
Jaytee 13-2 (11-9) Not fluent in mid-division, pushed towards rear 6th, some headway into 6th 2 out, no impression, well beaten final bend, 7th of 14, 28 3/4l behind Legal Rights (11-4) at Hereford 2m 4f hcp (5) gs in Jan.
Zuckerberg (GER) 11-2 (11-12) Held up towards rear, headway 13th, not fluent 15th, went 2nd before 2 out until last, 3rd and held flat, one pace, 3rd of 9, 7 1/4l behind Freddy Fanatapan (11-0) at Huntingdon 3m hcp (5) sft in Jan.
Prairie Town (IRE) 50-1 (11-9) Never going well in rear, jumped slowly 4th, tailed off and pulled up after 9th, at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Jan.
San Agustin (IRE) 5-2 (11-12) Chased leaders, good jump to go 2nd 3 out, soon switched left, challenging when in tight and hit last, led flat, stayed on, won at Leicester 2m 7f hcp (5) gf in Dec beating Clondaw Pretender (10-13) by 1 1/4l, 6 ran.
