in touch, ridden 3 out, soon faded
held up, detached 6th, good headway after, weakened 2 out, mistake last
in touch, headway after 6th, chased leader 3 out, led 2 out, clear last, easy
tracked leader, led 4th, headed 6th and weakened
in touch, weakening when mistake 6th, tailed off when unseated rider 2 out
led, headed 4th, led again 6th, ridden 3 out, headed 2 out and weakened
towards rear, brief effort after 6th
tracked leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, kept on one pace under pressure
towards rear, keen, ridden 5th, behind when pulled up before 3 out
mid-division, not fluent 1st, effort after 6th, weakened 2 out
held up, headway 6th, weakened 3 out
in rear, reminders after 3rd, tailed off when jumped badly right 3 out, pulled up before next
Hibika can score at the third time of asking over hurdles here and he gets our vote over Ta Peshala and Royal Rationale. The selection was a decent second behind Red Flare last time out at Kempton when a mistake two from home probably cost him the race. He looks to be going the right way and with ground conditions to suit he looks to have sound claims. Ta Peshala has got some fair form in France and she has to be of interest on her British debut. The market will be a guide as to whether or not she is fancied by connections and if the vibe is positive then it could pay to take the hint. Royal Rationale was a fair sort on the flat but he has yet to fully convince over hurdles and he may have to settle for a minor role again here today. Evan Williams sends Heroes over hurdles for the first time and he is another worth considering, but Hibika has plenty in his favour and he gets the vote.
Crickie Pitch 11-1 (10-12) Held up, slightly hampered 1st, mistake 2nd, never on terms, 3rd of 6, 24l behind Correy (10-5) at Hereford 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (4) frm in Nov.
Heroes 18-1 (8-8) Mid-division, effort halfway, soon no impression, 13th of 26, 8l behind Damika (9-0) at Newmarket 7f hcp 0-100 (2) sft in Oct (Flat).
Hesivorthedriver (GER) 9-2 (10-12) Chased leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened approaching next, 6th of 12, 21l behind Hello Nod (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 3yo mdn hdl (5) gd in Nov.
Hibiki (IRE) 5-4fav (10-12) Tracked leader, led before and stumbled 2 out, soon strongly pressed, narrowly headed last, stayed on same pace run-in, 2nd of 11, 1l behind Red Flare (10-7) at Kempton 2m 3yo nov hdl (3) gs in Dec.
Royal Rationale (IRE) 7-2 (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, switched right between last two, ridden and kept on same pace flat, 3rd of 14, 5l behind Chance du Roy (10-12) at Newbury 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Ta Peshala (FR) (10-1) Led 2f out, very easily, won at Compiegne 2m 1f mdn chs hvy in Oct beating Qualine Du Chenet (10-5) by 8l, 14 ran.
Zelos (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Behind, headway 3 out, reminder soon after, weakened approaching 2 out, tailed off, 7th of 12, well behind Soliya (11-1) at Newbury 2m 3yo nov hdl (3) gs in Nov.
Arabellas Homer 25-1 (8-12) Raced keenly, led, ridden and headed over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 5th of 7, 20l behind Prince of Medina (9-10) at W'hampton 1m 6f mdn aut stk (6) pol in Dec (Flat).
Atomic Winner (IRE) 9-4fav (10-5) Took keen hold, held up, headway 5th, weakened quickly approaching 2 out, 7th of 8, 43l behind Lemon Silk (10-9) at Sandown 2m 3yo nov hdl (3) gd in Nov.
Cat Six (USA) 66-1 (10-3) Pulled hard, held up, ridden, some headway 3 out, never dangerous, 5th of 11, 21l behind Its Moon (11-2) at Leicester 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gf in Dec.
Chasing Memories (IRE) 20-1 (8-10) Mid-division, short-lived effort on inside well over 2f out, 5th of 9, 16l behind Nawamees (9-10) at W'hampton 1m 4f clm (6) pol in Dec (Flat).
Dee Cee Elle 100-1 (10-7) Lost touch 3rd, 10th of 12, well behind Franchoek (11-0) at Chepstow 2m nov hdl Grd 1 (1) sft in Dec.
Ishismart 150-1 (10-7) Lost touch 3rd, 11th of 12, well behind Franchoek (11-0) at Chepstow 2m nov hdl Grd 1 (1) sft in Dec.
Just Chrissie 100-1 (10-5) Always in rear, lost touch 3rd, tailed off, 8th of 9, well behind Letham Island (10-10) at Hereford 2m 1f fll hdl (4) gd in Nov.
