chased leaders, outpaced before 3 out, moderate 3rd when mistake next, well beaten when left 2nd last, no chance with winner, lost place towards finish
tracked leaders, ridden before 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before next
tracked leaders, went 2nd at 5th, led after next, hit 3 out, clear before next, kept on, unextended
tracked leader to 5th, in touch, outpaced before 3 out, soon lost touch, left modest 3rd at last, stayed on to take 2nd towards finish, no chance with easy winner
held up in touch, mistake 6th, soon struggling, tailed off 3 out, pulled up before next
led, headed after 6th, ridden and no chance with winner before 2 out, clear 2nd when fell last
reminder after 1st, soon pushed along in rear, lost touch 4th, tailed off when pulled up after next
Anchor Man was pitched into a Grade 2 after making a winning start under Rules at Exeter but came up short. He found one too good subsequently at Wincanton and probably has a bit to prove now. Any Drama had strong bumper form and started favourite on his hurdling bow at Newbury in November. He was only fourth but will know more today and can’t be ignored. Bally Gilbert is another open to improvement and Kayf Adventure probably needed the run at Exeter in New Year’s Day, though caught the eye. He may reverse that form with Coole Cody here and is also preferred to Cake de L'Isle. BASTIEN won easily at Fontwell on Boxing Day and bettered that effort under a penalty at Plumpton. He’s giving weight to his rivals here as well but a hat-trick beckons for Alan King’s progressive novice.
Bastien (FR) 10-11fav (11-10) Chased leader, pushed along after 3 out, shaken up and led narrowly on inside 2 out, clear before last, easily, won at Plumpton 2m (4) sft in Jan beating Funny Oyster (10-0) by 11l, 9 ran.
Anchor Man (IRE) 5-2jfav (11-12) Tracked leaders, challenged and every chance 2 out, one pace between last 2, soon ridden, no impression from last, 2nd of 16, 5l behind Catamaran Du Seuil (11-6) at Wincanton 2m 5f (4) sft in Jan.
Any Drama (IRE) 2-1fav (10-12) Tracked leader, led 4 out, headed before 2 out, one pace in 3rd, 4th of 11, 17l behind Reigning Supreme (10-12) at Newbury 2m 5f (3) sft in Nov.
Bally Gilbert (IRE) 10-1 (10-12) Led, jumped left 5th, headed 2 out, weakened before last, 5th of 13, 14 1/2l behind Keeper Hill (11-4) at Hereford 2m 4f (4) sft in Jan.
Cake de L'Isle (FR) 14-1 (11-0) Chased leader, outpaced over 2f out, soon weakened, 10th of 12, 31 3/4l behind Benechenko (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m (5) sft in Nov.
Coole Cody (IRE) 2-1 (11-5) Led, not fluent 4 out, pressed 3 out, mistake and headed 2 out, no impression flat, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 10, 6l behind Over To Sam (11-5) at Exeter 2m 6f mdn (5) sft in Jan.
Petite Ganache (IRE) 40-1 (11-0) Towards rear, reminders before 6 out, tailed off, 8th of 10, dist behind Fairlee Grey (11-0) at Ayr 2m (4) hvy in Jan.
Kayf Adventure 4-1 (10-12) Chased leading trio, pushed along and went 3rd approaching 3 out, ridden and one pace from next, 3rd of 17, 8l behind Neon Wolf (10-12) at Exeter 2m 3f (4) gs in Jan.
