led, ridden and headed home turn, weakened 2 out
held up, headway going well home turn, led approaching 3 out, length clear last, ran on flat, bumped with rival and headed final 100 yards
always towards rear, never a factor
handy, led briefly home turn, soon ridden and headed approaching 3 out, rallied approaching last, stayed on well run-in when bumped rival, went clear final 100 yards
mid-division, pushed along and made no impression home turn, never involved
mid-division, pushed along and weakened before 4 out, tailed off
mid-division, pushed along and weakened 4 out, tailed off
mid-division out wide, pushed along and outpaced approaching 3 out, plugged on from 2 out in distant 3rd
The Late Legend is better known as a chaser and was beaten more than 20 lengths behind Lily Glitters when last seen over hurdles. The latter could go close being a course and distance winner but she has been a little disappointing this season so far. The Composeur took a backward step at Exeter and Bright Sunbird has gone off the boil since a double in the summer but blinkers might invigorate Barnard Castle. LOUP DE MAULDE (NAP) has taken to hurdles second time around and can follow up a recent easy victory at Huntingdon.
The Composeur (IRE) 6-1 (11-6) Led, ridden and headed 3 out, weakened thereafter, 4th of 7, 22 1/2l behind Langley Hundred (11-5) at Exeter 2m 7f hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Loup De Maulde (FR) 4-1 (11-4) Held up behind front pair, hit front before 3 out, ridden turning for home and stretched clear, kept on strongly after last, comfortably, won at Huntingdon 3m 1f hcp (5) gd in Nov beating Monty's Award (11-4) by 10l, 5 ran.
Bright Sunbird (IRE) 40-1 (11-7) Led, headed 3rd, remained close up, lead again 4 out, headed 2 out, soon hard ridden, weakened quickly before last, 5th of 9, dist behind Braganza Bay (10-6) at Hereford 3m 2f hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Lily Glitters Evensfav (11-6) Raced keenly, slight lead until 3rd, chased winner who soon went clear, closer at 9th, lost 2nd before 2 out, chased leaders, weakened home turn, 4th of 10, 7l behind Manintheshadows (12-1) at Hereford 3m 2f hcp (5) gd in Oct.
Barnard Castle (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) In touch, pushed along 7th, weakened 3 out, last of 8, 37l behind Kilbeg King (11-4) at Ffos Las 2m 4f mdn (4) sft in Nov.
The Late Legend 2-1fav (11-2) Led until 4th, led after next, headed 6th, ridden after 18th, blundered 3 out, weakened and lost 2nd next, 3rd of 5, 9l behind Mr Mafia (12-0) at Ludlow 3m 2f hcp (4) gd in May.
Fou Diligence (IRE) 33-1 (11-3) In rear, blundered 2nd, soon behind, last of 7, dist behind Greenrock Abbey (11-8) at Hereford 2m hcp (5) sft in Nov.
Unblinking 5-2fav (10-11) Close up, shaken up on home turn, ridden 3 out, soon every chance, slow jump at final fence, kept on well flat, no extra inside closing stages, 3rd of 14, 2 1/4l behind The Boola Boss (11-11) at Worcester 2m 7f hcp (5) gd in Jun.
