tracked leaders, took keen hold, ridden and lost place before 3 out, weakened next
whipped round left start and slowly away, in rear, struggling after 4 out
mid-division, closed 2nd, lost place and mistake 4 out, soon behind
tracked leaders, lost place 2nd, closed 5th, lost place before 3 out, took modest 4th towards finish
held up towards rear, jumped right 1st, headway after 4 out, went 2nd last, kept on, no impression on winner
mid-division, headway 4 out, shaken up after 3 out, soon beaten, no extra when not fluent last
pressed winner, slow 5th, every chance when dived at 3 out, no impression on winner and lost 2nd last, kept on
made all, edged left flat, stayed on well, ridden out
held up towards rear, ridden in 7th after 4 out, well beaten 3 out
in rear, carried right 1st, well beaten before 3 out
Northern Bound made his debut under Rules in a very competitive bumper at Cheltenham last month. The switch to hurdles should bring about plenty of improvement and jockey bookings suggest he’s the pick of Ben Pauling’s two runners but FINALSHOT is preferred. Henry Daly has his string in fine form and the Phoenix Reach gelding showed promise in both runs in bumpers last season. Khanisari was a fair fourth at Taunton 11 days ago but the drop in distance may not suit. Foresee won on the Flat in August but needs to improve on two runs to date over timber.
Bonjour Steve 66-1 (11-0) Towards rear, no chance with leaders from 3rd, went remote 4th before 5th until last, tailed off, 5th of 8, dist behind What's Occurring (11-6) at Hereford 2m (4) gf in Nov.
Court In Matera (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Held up in touch, weakening when jumped left 4 out, soon beaten, 5th of 8, 30l behind Clondaw Anchor (10-12) at Carlisle 2m 1f (4) gs in Nov.
Elite Garde (FR) 66-1 (11-0) In touch in mid-division, slow and lost place 3rd, well beaten after 3 out, hampered 2 out, 10th of 14, dist behind Eldorado Allen (11-0) at Sandown 2m mdn (4) hvy in Nov.
Espalion (FR) 9-1 (11-2) Led early, tracked leader until over 3f out, soon beaten, 5th of 6, 8 1/2l behind Leaving Home (11-4) at Stratford 2m (4) gf in Jul.
Finalshot 7-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, headway on inside over 5f out, ridden and one pace over 2f out, soon weakened, 6th of 17, 15 1/4l behind Umndeni (10-11) at Warwick 2m (5) gs in Apr.
Foresee (GER) 100-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 2 out, plugged on, 5th of 13, 12 1/2l behind Epatante (10-5) at Kempton 2m (4) gd in Nov.
Khanisari (IRE) 6-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, not that fluent, ridden before 2 out, no extra flat, 4th of 10, 5 3/4l behind Demon Fou (10-12) at Taunton 2m 3f mdn (4) gf in Nov.
Northern Bound (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) In touch, edged left and outpaced over 3f out, weakened 2f out, 9th of 13, 19 3/4l behind Strong Glance (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m (2) gs in Oct.
Raise Your Shades (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) Held up in mid-division, behind from 6th, 8th of 14, 25l behind Tokay Dokey (11-5) at Uttoxeter 2m (4) gd in Nov.
Stormy Blues 8-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, lost place 4 out, behind when pulled up before 2 out, at Sedgefield 2m 1f mdn (5) gd in Nov.
