held up in rear, stumbled 1st, mistake 6th, hit 9th, 5th and not on terms when mistake and unseated rider 4 out
chased leaders, hit 1st, soon lost place, tailed off 6th
held up, not fluent 2nd, jumped left next, tailed off 6th, pulled up before 8th
chased leader, led 2nd, in command 4 out, not fluent 2 out, easily
led to 2nd, chased winner, jumped left 4th and 5th, lost 2nd approaching 4 out, regained that position 3 out, no chance with winner
not jump well, tracked leaders, chased winner after 4 out until 3 out, soon weakened
held up, headway 8th, ridden approaching 4 out, soon beaten
If NOBLE REQUEST is able to reproduce his hurdling ability over fences for the first time then he is the clear pick here, while First Point looks his most serious rival. The selection acts very well on a sound surface and over the minimum trip, and he was previously good enough to finish runner-up in Kempton's Christmas Hurdle. Given that sort of ability there is no wonder connections were patient, and after a huge lay-off of almost three years he was brought back for a pipe-opener back at Kempton last month and he should much better for that. There is nothng wrong with the form of the stable and he will be well schooled, so we give him another chance. First Point was rated well over a stone inferior over hurdles, and also acts well over this sort of trip and on good going. The yard couldn't be in much better nick and he is given plenty of respect. Is It Me has conditions to suit and is of similar ability to First Point based on hurdles form. However, his two previous chases both ended prematurely with falls, so he has some bad memories to overcome before getting competitive. Bolodenka goes on any ground and is rated 90 on the flat, though he was never quite as good as that might suggest over hurdles and has a bit to do on this chasing debut. Noble Request is the one for us.
Bolodenka (IRE) 5-1 (11-6) Held up, steady headway approaching 3 out, soon ridden, went 2nd approaching last, weakened flat and lost 2 places near finish, 4th of 11, 7l behind Hunting Tower (11-4) at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Oct.
Brimley 100-1 (11-1) Blundered 1st, always in rear, mistake 7th, well behind from 8th, mistake 4 out, tailed off, 5th of 7, well behind Matuhi (11-4) at Ludlow 2m 4f beg chs (4) gf in Oct.
Earlestown Boy 66-1 (10-12) Mid-division, driven and weakened 8th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Rathrockscourt (10-9) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f sll hdl (4-8yo) (5) gd in Oct, 9 ran.
First Point (GER) 5-2fav (11-9) Held up behind leaders, led approaching 2 out, soon ridden, ran on well, won at Newton Abbot 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Jun beating Indian Blood (10-8) by 6l, 8 ran.
Is It Me (USA) 5-4fav (10-12) Led to 2nd, pressed leader, led after 2 out, clear over 1f out, easily, won at Uttoxeter 2m sll hdl (4-8yo) (5) gf in Oct beating Sonic Anthem (10-9) by 14l, 12 ran.
Noble Request (FR) 9-2 (11-8) Held up in last place, improved 3 out, weakened next, 5th of 6, 33l behind Katies Tuitor (11-8) at Kempton 2m hdl (2) gf in Oct.
Markila (FR) 11-8 (10-9) Held up behind leaders, headway approaching 8th, weakened 2 out, 3rd of 4, 16l behind Leamington Lad (11-2) at Ludlow 2m beg chs (4) gd in Oct.
Olivino (GER) 9-1 (10-7) Prominent, ridden approaching last, kept on same pace, 4th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Bundle Up (10-0) at Chepstow 2m clm hdl (5) sft.
