led until after 2nd, chased leader, led again before 4 out, joined 2 out, headed last, kept on same pace
always towards rear, tailed off 4 out, pulled up after next
took keen hold, towards rear, mistakes 2nd and next, tailed off
mid-division, headway chasing leaders 3 out, ridden and one pace before next
mid-division, weakened approaching 2 out
chased leaders, went 2nd soon after 3 out, challenged 2 out, led last, soon clear
took keen hold, chased leaders, blundered 4 out, driven before 2 out, plugged on, lost modest 3rd last, no impression
towards rear, headway approaching 2 out, kept on into never nearer 3rd last
mid-division on inside, some headway when mistake 4 out, weakened next
chased leaders, mistake and weakened 2 out, tired fall last
chased leaders, mistake and weakened 2 out
keen, prominent, led after 2nd, went right 4th, headed before next, chased leader, mistake 3 out, soon lost 2nd, chased leaders, weakened 2 out
always towards rear, tailed off
always towards rear, tailed off when mistake 3 out
never better than mid-division, hit 4th, soon weakened tailed off
not jump well, awkward 1st, well in rear, tailed off when blundered 3rd, waved around last to avoid faller
A novices event which probably has more strength-in-depth than first appears. Movie Set is an interesting recruit to hurdling as Richard Spencer doesn’t have many jumpers. Formerly with Godolphin, the five-year-old won an Ascot maiden on the Flat in 2015 but has a lengthy absence to overcome, as does Tapeta winner Rebel Collins. AL SHAHIR is the one with the form in the book having only found one too good in two hurdles starts, coming up against above-average novices on both occasions – he can make it third-time lucky. Lost History has had a good campaign on the Flat in Ireland this year and should handle conditions. He can go well on his hurdling debut and first start for new connections while Fairmount and First Flow are the types to do well over timber.
Al Shahir (IRE) 6-4fav (11-0) Held up towards rear, jumped left 1st, headway 5th, close up 2 out, 2nd last, no impression on winner, 2nd of 16, 10l behind Kalashnikov (11-0) at Wetherby 2m (3) sft in Nov.
Ashford Island 200-1 (10-12) Took keen hold, always behind, struggling 7th, tailed off, last of 7, dist behind Arthington (11-5) at Plumpton 2m 2f (4) gd in Sep.
Captain Cockle 50-1 (8-12) Close up, ridden and weakened 2f out, last of 12, 7 1/4l behind Champagne Pink (9-4) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Fairmount 20-1 (11-2) Mid-division on inside, headway chasing leaders 5f out, ridden and went 3rd over 2f out, no chance with leading duo, 3rd of 16, 5 3/4l behind Coolanly (11-2) at Chepstow 2m (6) gs in Oct.
Fenlons Court (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Led until approaching 2nd, chased leaders, outpaced after 3 out, gradually weakened, 3rd of 11, 30l behind Kilbricken Storm (10-12) at Wincanton 1m 7f (3) sft in Nov.
First Flow (IRE) 8-1 (11-2) Held up and behind, good headway on wide outside under pressure into 4th over 2f out, kept on final furlong, no chance with leading duo, 4th of 16, 6 1/4l behind Coolanly (11-2) at Chepstow 2m (6) gs in Oct.
Larry 8-1 (10-12) Chasing leaders when blundered and unseated rider 2nd, at Fontwell 2m 2f (4) gd in Nov.
Lost History (IRE) 6-1 (9-10) Tracked leaders, soon 4th, improved to lead over 2f out, stayed on well inside final furlong, won at Roscommon 1m 4f hcp hvy in Sep beating Vocal Resurgence (8-9) by 3/4l, 15 ran.
Minellatillmorning (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Always behind, 7th of 11, 35 1/2l behind Kilbricken Storm (10-12) at Wincanton 1m 7f (3) sft in Nov.
Movie Set (USA) 5-4fav (8-9) Dwelt, towards rear, soon tracked leader, led after 2f, ridden over 1f out, kept on and headed close home, 2nd of 9, nk behind Osipova (8-8) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp (3) pol in Nov.
Paddy's Poem 20-1 (11-2) Prominent, led 12f out, headed over 1f out, about 1/2 length down in 3rd when short of room against rail 100 yards out, held after, 3rd of 9, 2l behind Mance Rayder (10-9) at Warwick 2m mdn (6) sft in Mar.
Rebel Collins (IRE) 15-2 (10-0) In touch, headway 6f out, close up, switched left 3f out, ridden and no impression from over 1f out, 4th of 10, 6 1/4l behind Haines (9-13) at Kempton 2m hcp (5) pol in Jan.
Ring Minella (IRE) 25-1 (11-5) Always behind, fell last, at Chepstow 2m mdn (4) sft in Nov.
Under The Woods Kayf Tara gelding out of Palmito.
Elocution 16-1 (10-0) Not that fluent in rear, behind 5th, tailed off 4 out, pulled up after, at Plumpton 2m mdn (4) hvy in Feb.
Madame Claud 250-1 (10-5) In touch when badly hampered and brought down 1st, at Exeter 2m 1f (3) sft in Nov.
