prominent, mistake 5th, lost 2nd after 4 out, well beaten before 3 out
held up in touch, closed from 5th, led and dived at 3 out, clear 2 out, easily
led until before 3 out where not fluent, no impression on winner 2 out, went left last, lost 2nd flat
chased leaders, no impression after 4 out, stayed on from 2 out, went 2nd flat, no chance with winner
jumped left 1st, always behind, tailed off
chased leaders on inside, close up final bend, 3rd and well held by winner when not fluent 2 out, weakened flat
mistake 3rd, always behind, tailed off
held up in mid-division, behind from 5th, tailed off
held up in mid-division, weakened well before 3 out
chased leaders, lost place and slow 5th, no impression well before 3 out
held up in mid-division, stayed on from 3 out, never nearer
in touch in mid-division, weakened after 4 out
in touch on outside, lost place before 5th, well behind after
WESTERN ZEPHYR a winning point-to-pointer and bumper, made an impressive hurdling debut over the track and trip for which he's penalised. He can go in again though Pembroke was also a convincing winner on testing ground at Wetherby so the forecast rain should be in his favour. Winning point-to-pointer No Risk With Lou was left clear for a facile success at Southwell while Amrons Sage, another winner between the flags, was beaten by a 66/1 chance on his debut for Nicky Henderson but is certain to improve. Bubble Dubi has shown some potential and Picks Lad won an Ayr bumper before a fair hurdling debut at Chepstow where a last-flight error didn't help.
No Risk With Lou (FR) 13-2 (11-4) Close up, ridden to lead 2 out, left well clear at final flight, kept on well flat, won at Southwell 2m mdn (4) gd in Nov beating Charging Point (11-4) by 28l, 9 ran.
Pembroke 11-8 (11-0) Chased leaders, led travelling strongly before 3 out, shaken up and went clear before 2 out, pushed out run-in, comfortably, won at Wetherby 2m (4) hvy in Nov beating Magic Wave (11-0) by 6 1/2l, 8 ran.
Western Zephyr (IRE) 6-5fav (11-4) Pressed leader, led before 5th, clear flat, stayed on well, readily, won at Ludlow 2m mdn (4) gs in Nov beating Brentford Hope (11-4) by 6l, 12 ran.
Amrons Sage (IRE) 15-8 (11-0) Midfield, headway between horses travelling powerfully before 2 out where not fluent, ran on well, claimed second final 110yds, 2nd of 17, 3 1/4l behind Always Busy (11-0) at Warwick 2m (4) sft in Nov.
Black Tonic 80-1 (11-0) Held up, pushed along 5f out, some headway from off pace home turn, plugged on, 4th of 9, 32 1/4l behind Magic Seven (11-0) at Hereford 2m (5) gs in Nov.
Bubble Dubi (FR) 11-2 (11-2) Held up in rear, jumped left at times, closed from 5th, every chance when not fluent 2 out, no impression when hampered last, 5th of 8, 11l behind Persian Time (11-2) at Ascot 2m (2) gs in Nov.
Chairman Fitz (IRE) 200-1 (11-0) Always towards rear, never involved, 12th of 14, 33 1/2l behind Micronormous (10-7) at Exeter 2m 1f (4) gd in Nov.
Kalibrate (IRE) 150-1 (11-2) Wore hood to post, detached in last pair, tailed off and pulled up before 6th, at Hereford 2m 4f mdn (4) gd in Oct.
Little Pi (FR) 66-1 (11-0) Off the pace and always towards rear, 11th of 14, dist behind Rubaud (11-7) at Taunton 2m (4) gd in Dec.
Mount South (IRE) 100-1 (11-4) Off the pace towards rear, struggling and no chance when slightly hampered by stricken horse home turn, tailed off, 7th of 12, dist behind Jet Powered (11-4) at Newbury 2m mdn (3) gd in Nov.
Picks Lad 13-8fav (11-0) Chased leaders, asked for effort 3 out, disputed lead under pressure 2 out, held every chance before last, mistake last, kept on same pace run-in, 3rd of 15, 4 1/2l behind Doyen Star (11-0) at Chepstow 2m (4) gs in Nov.
Scarpered (IRE) 18-1 (11-2) Mid-division, dropped away and struggling 4f out, 7th of 11, dist behind Lump Sum (11-1) at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 1f mdn (4) gs in Oct.
Zero Tolerance (GER) 20-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, went 2nd after 6th until 3 out, 3rd and held next, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 12, 18l behind Western Zephyr (11-4) at Ludlow 2m mdn (4) gs in Nov.
State Of Honor (IRE) 14-1 (10-13) Towards rear, mistake at 2nd, soon progress, 7th after 6th, not fluent 4 out, under pressure after 3 out, no extra before 2 out, 7th of 13, dist behind Kilbunny Pontic (11-7) at Tramore 2m 4f mdn Yielding in Oct.
Trudiemadlydeeply 200-1 (11-2) Mid-division, struggling from 5th, pulled up before 2 out, at Hereford 2m 4f mdn (4) gs in Nov.
Gaye Legacy (IRE) 15-2 (11-0) Chased leaders, went 2nd over 2f out, no impression on winner over 1f out, kept on, 2nd of 5, 9l behind Shinji (10-5) at Fakenham 2m (5) gs in Nov.
