held up, well behind from 3 out, never involved
mid-division out wide, ridden and outpaced approaching 2 out, stayed on well from last in distant 3rd
prominent, pushed along and weakened rapidly home turn
chased leader, not fluent 4th, pushed along and could not go pace of leader home turn, awkward 2 out, kept on from last in 2nd, never on terms
mid-division, not fluent 3 out, pushed along and made no impression home turn
always towards rear, never a factor
made all, increased tempo home turn, clear last when blundered, ran on well flat
TEDDY BLUE (NAP), possibly not totally straightforward, is hard to oppose. He's only able to run in this maiden contest due to his disqualification from a smooth victory at Fontwell following a positive sample test. He ran a fine third in Grade 3 company behind First Street at Newbury last time and sets a demanding standard here. Hunter Legend returned from a 263-day break to run a promising Hereford fourth in November and should have more to offer. He'll need to improve significantly to trouble the selection though. Jack Sprat has shown bits and pieces of ability in bumpers, but so has Hourvari and the latter is taken as best of the remainder on just a second hurdling start.
Flemen's Tipple (IRE) 150-1 (11-0) Off the pace and always towards rear, 10th of 12, dist behind Givega (11-0) at Lingfield 2m (4) sft in Nov.
Hourvari (FR) 40-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, some headway out wide after 4 out, weakened before next, 7th of 11, 35l behind Jupiter Du Gite (10-6) at Newbury 2m (4) sft in Dec.
Hunter Legend (FR) 12-1 (11-4) Rear of mid-division, headway out wide 3 out, pushed along and outpaced approaching 2 out, plugged on in distant 4th, 4th of 14, 19 1/2l behind Nemean Lion (11-4) at Hereford 2m mdn (4) gs in Nov.
I Hope Star (IRE) 80-1 (11-2) Off the pace and always towards rear, tailed off, 8th of 10, dist behind Rare Edition (11-10) at Kempton 2m (2) sft in Dec.
Jack Sprat (IRE) 4-1 (11-2) Chased leader until over 3f out, chased leaders, weakened over 2f out, 6th of 9, 34l behind Pyffo (11-2) at Haydock 2m (4) sft in Dec.
Rollo's Kingdom 66-1 (11-2) In rear, struggling home turn, 6th of 10, 37l behind Fingle Bridge (11-2) at Chepstow 2m (3) sft in Dec.
Teddy Blue (GER) 3-1jfav (10-11) Raced keenly tracked leader until lost 2nd and hit 3 out, plugged on same pace in 3rd, hung left after and no chance with leading duo, 3rd of 7, 5 3/4l behind First Street (12-0) at Newbury 2m hcp (1) gd in Nov.
