towards rear, plugged on
mid-division, jumped left 4th, weakened 13th
towards rear, not jump well, behind from 7th
tracked leaders, led approaching 4 out, ridden when headed 2 out, one pace
keen, in touch, lost place 7th, tailed off from 12th, pulled up before 3 out
towards rear, headway after 9th, in 3rd and several lengths down when fell 4 out
tracked leaders, not fluent 12th, led 2 out, kept on
led, ridden when headed approaching 4 out, weakened
Nikola is selected to see off Winds And Dragons and Thunder Rock. This race could throw up a lot of future winners and Nikola has certainly caught the eye in the past. The selection finished second to the well regarded Here's Johnny at Uttoxeter and a reproduction of that effort should suffice. Winds And Dragons is likely to improve for the step up to the bigger obstacles. Henrietta Knight's horses are running creditably and the market is watched. Thunder Rock has the services of AP McCoy. He hasn't been seen since falling at Worcester but he is likely to have been extensively schooled. Absolut Power had been fighting a losing battle against the handicapper over hurdles and makes the switch. Tycoon Hall should not want for fitness whilst Star Shot was unlucky enough to run up against a resurgent Pepperoni Pete last time out. Nikola gets the vote.
Absolut Power (GER) 16-1 (11-0) Behind from halfway, 16th of 17, well behind Eden Linty (10-6) at Chepstow 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Oct.
Dasher Reilly (USA) 13-8 (11-0) Led, hard ridden when pressed flat, headed final stride, 2nd of 5, shd behind Hitaaf (11-0) at Ludlow 2m 5f mdn hdl (4) gd.
Hot Chocolat 100-1 (10-11) In touch, hit 8th and 9th, weakened 10th, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Money Order (11-2) at Bangor 2m 4f beg chs (4) gs, 12 ran.
Kedgeree 8-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, joined leader 6th, ridden approaching 2 out, one pace, 5th of 14, 8l behind Annie's Answer (11-0) at Bangor 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Nikola (FR) 3-1 (11-3) Chased leader until led 6th, headed 8th, led again 10th, not fluent 2 out, soon ridden, headed final 100 yards, no extra, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind Here's Johnny (10-12) at Uttoxeter 3m beg chs (4) gd.
Orrezzo (GER) 100-1 (10-5) Took keen hold, wide, prominent, led 2nd to 3rd, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out, 9th of 10, 49l behind Share My Dream (10-9) at Worcester 2m nov clm hdl (5) sft in Jun.
Star Shot (IRE) 11-4 (11-1) Close up, led 7th to 9th, chased winner after, driven and hit 2 out, weakened flat, 2nd of 6, 2l behind Pepporoni Pete (11-1) at Sandown 2m beg chs (3) gd.
Thunder Rock (IRE) 2-1 (10-10) In rear when jumped very slowly 1st, jumped right 2nd, headway 14th, 5 lengths 3rd when fell 2 out in race won by Irish Wolf (11-2) at Worcester 2m 7f beg chs (4) gd in Jun, 11 ran.
Tycoon Hall (IRE) 3-1 (11-7) Held up in touch and keen, ridden and mistake 3 out, soon weakened, 4th of 5, 18l behind Aleron (11-9) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd.
Winds And Dragons (IRE) 10-3 (10-12) Tracked leader, upsides from 5th, ridden after 3 out, soon lost 2nd, no chance with front pair, 3rd of 5, 16l behind Ocean du Moulin (10-12) at Plumpton 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gd.
Musimaro (FR) 16-1 (11-8) Always in rear, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Andorran (9-13) at Ludlow 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd, 13 ran.
