chased leaders, led approaching 3 out, soon ridden, headed and not fluent last, weakened flat
led until approaching 3 out, weakening when fell 2 out
held up in touch, every chance 3 out, soon ridden, led last, ran on
held up mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, soon under pressure, never on terms
held up towards rear, slow first, not fluent 4th, never a factor
always behind
held up towards rear, never dangerous
tracked leaders, ridden to challenge after 3 out, soon hung right, weakened last
mid-division, headway 6th, outpaced before 3 out, headway approaching last, ran on, not reach winner
prominent, ridden and weakened 3 out
prominent, under pressure before 3 out, weakened next
held up mid-division, headway 4 out, ridden and weakened next
keen hold in mid-division, soon in touch, weakened after 7th
Hopefully Cave Hill will be none the worse for his fall at Towcester last time and Henrietta Knight's gelding has to be respected but a better bet looks to be One Gulp, who gets the vote over Osako D'airy. The last mentioned has been in fine form, winning three of his last four starts and has solid claims despite the penalties that he has to carry. Peter Bowen's Sir Monty also has a hefty penalty to carry and he may have to settle for minor honours, while Shergill has shown promise but needs to improve to trouble the judge. Preference in a decent looking novices' hurdle is for Paul Webber's One Gulp, who showed decent form in bumpers last season and made a pleasing winning debut over hurdles at Newbury earlier this month. With the potential for further improvement, he gets the vote to follow up.
Osako D'airy (FR) 2-1fav (11-7) With leader, led 4th, ridden 2 out weakening when headed last, 3rd of 9, 8l behind Sebastiano (11-0) at Lingfield 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) hvy.
Sir Monty (USA) 16-1 (10-10) Led until 6th, ridden approaching 2 out, one pace approaching last, 7th of 11, 14l behind Jack The Giant (11-1) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd.
One Gulp 7-2 (10-10) Held up in rear, steady headway approaching 3 out, chased leader last, led flat, stayed on well, won at Newbury 2m 5f nh nov hdl (3) gs beating Pure Genius (10-10) by 3 1/2l, 12 ran.
Bedizen 16-1 (10-12) In touch, not fluent 5th, hit 7th, weakening when hit 2 out, 6th of 14, 21l behind Spud (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Cave Hill (IRE) 4-1 (10-12) Tracking leaders when fell 5 out in race won by Boomerang (10-12) at Towcester 2m 5f nh nov hdl (3) gs, 11 ran.
Charlie Poole (IRE) Shambo gelding out of winning jumper Country Store.
Craic (IRE) 66-1 (10-7) Towards rear, jumped right 3rd, behind from 6th, 15th of 17, well behind Sharajan (10-12) at Lingfield 2m 3f nov hdl (4) hvy.
Li Lo Bosh (IRE) 100-1 (10-9) Always last, ridden and struggling 3 out, tailed off when fell 2 out, remounted, last of 8, well behind County Zen (11-8) at Sandown 2m nh nov hdl (3) hvy.
Orphelin Collonges (FR) 6-1 (10-12) In touch, ridden to lead 2 out, hard pressed when fell in race won by Pennek (10-12) at Hereford 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gs, 14 ran.
Quick Judgement (IRE) 66-1 (10-5) In rear, never nearer, 8th of 11, 47l behind The Cayterers (10-9) at Leicester 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Rock Wren 40-1 (10-12) Towards rear, mistake 2nd, effort 4 out, soon weakened and pulled up 2 out in race won by Boomerang (10-12) at Towcester 2m 5f nh nov hdl (3) gs, 11 ran.
Shergill (IRE) 6-5fav (10-12) Chased leading pair, reminder after 7th, ridden 8th, weakened approaching 3 out, last of 4, 19l behind Snargate (10-9) at Warwick 3m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gf in Nov.
Silver Mont (IRE) 50-1 (10-7) Always behind, 7th of 14, well behind Swordsman (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov hdl (3) gd in Nov.
Sir Peter (IRE) 20-1 (11-5) Prominent, ridden after 7th, weakened next, tailed off, 7th of 15, well behind Tanners Court (10-12) at Stratford 2m 6f mdn hdl (4) gs in Feb.
The Boat (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Mid-division, mistake 2nd, not fluent 3rd, badly hampered 5th, outpaced 7th, 5th of 16, 45l behind The Sliotar (11-5) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f nov hdl (4) sft in Oct.
Tyrana (GER) 100-1 (10-7) Always behind, tailed off, 13th of 15, well behind Snake Charmer (10-11) at Uttoxeter 2m mdn hdl (5) gs.
