held up in rear, headway after 5 out, soon outpaced, beaten when left 4th 3 out, mistake next
took keen hold, always prominent on outside, led 10th to next, pressed winner 5 out, every chance when fell 3 out
mid-division, in touch 10th, outpaced 5 out, weakened and pulled up before next
always prominent, led after 2nd, headed 5th, led again 11th, made rest, left 3 lengths clear 3 out, drew clear from next, stayed on well
behind, headway and in touch on outside 7th, lost place 11th, soon struggling, behind from 5 out, tailed off when pulled up before next
mid-division, in touch 6th, tracked front pair 5 out, 3 lengths down when left 2nd 3 out, no chance with winner from next
chased leader, mistake 9th, soon behind, no danger after, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
led briefly 2nd, with winner, led again 5th to 10th, in touch, ridden after 14th, weakened 5 out, tailed off when pulled up before next
led to 2nd, tracked leaders, outpaced in 4th after 5 out, ridden after next, left 3rd 3 out, never on terms
Hollywoodien could give a boost to NEXIUS' Doncaster win in the previous race but, whatever that one's fate, Paul Nicholls' novice looks the one to be on in this as he has bags of scope and was rated 8lb higher over hurdles. The one doubt is his stamina but not many of his rivals arrive in form. Confirmed stayer Sun Cloud was pulled up at Haydock in December when last seen while Top Wood often flatters to deceive. Galway Jack has done most of his racing over shorter trips but may stay further now he's much older. Big Casino and Kilbree Kid aren't badly treated but Drumshambo appears to be going backwards and stablemate Royal Palladium is faring no better.
Sun Cloud (IRE) 6-1 (11-7) Held up in rear, weakened 6 out, behind when pulled up before 4 out, at Haydock 2m 7f hcp (2) hvy in Dec.
Galway Jack (IRE) 11-2 (10-10) Led, jumped right 2nd, headed 3 out, weakened before next, 4th of 7, 25 3/4l behind Taquin Du Seuil (11-12) at Warwick 2m 4f hcp (2) sft in Feb.
Nexius (IRE) 10-3 (11-0) Tracked leaders in 3rd, outpaced halfway, went 2nd over 2f out, led over 1f out, kept on strongly, won at Doncaster 2m 3f (4) gs in Feb beating Hollywoodien (11-3) by 8l, 6 ran.
Top Wood (FR) 3-1fav (11-10) In rear, never going that well and given reminders after 1st, 5th and before 8th, lost touch 9th, 5th of 6, 25 3/4l behind Firth Of The Clyde (11-12) at Sedgefield 2m 3f hcp (3) gs in Jan.
Kilbree Kid (IRE) 33-1 (11-7) In rear, not always fluent and not travel that well, well behind 14th, 8th of 10, dist behind Silvergrove (11-5) at Kempton 3m hcp (3) sft in Feb.
Foundry Square (IRE) 11-10fav (12-4) Mistakes in rear, headway approaching 11th, 3rd when mistake 4 out, pushed along and one pace before next, went modest 2nd run-in, no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 9l behind Cygnet (11-10) at Fontwell 2m 6f (6) gs in May.
Big Casino 8-1 (11-6) Chaseed leaders, led 8th until 4 out, chased leader until mistake and weakened 3 out, 8th of 10, 29 1/4l behind Mon Successeur (11-6) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Royal Palladium (FR) 9-1 (11-9) Chased leaders, ridden 15th, weakened before 5 out, 5th of 14, dist behind Golden Chieftain (11-10) at Wincanton 3m 3f hcp (3) sft in Jan.
Drumshambo (USA) 6-1 (11-9) Chased leaders, lost touch 12th, headway and close up again before 5 out, chased leader next, lost 2nd 2 out, no chance with front pair before last, 3rd of 8, 25 1/2l behind Berea Boru (11-11) at Chepstow 3m hcp (4) hvy in Feb.
