prominent, ridden to challenge approaching 2 out, weakened before last
in touch, under pressure 4 out, soon behind, pulled up after next
held up in rear, headway 3 out, soon outpaced, stayed on to chase leaders before last, never able to challenge
pulled hard tracking leaders, not fluent throughout, effort 2 out, stayed on same pace
made all, quickened clear when not fluent 2 out, mistake last, soon pressed, stayed on strongly
held up in rear, headway 4 out, chased leaders 3 out, went 2nd approaching last, ran on well closing stages
Nonrunner
Camachoice won a handicap hurdle at Southwell in October and is penalised for that success back in novice company. Countersign is less than consistent but went close over course and distance in September while Quebec beat lower rated opposition than this in a seller at Exeter last month. Larmor never threatened in a maiden hurdle despite finishing second and HASSLE was a long way behind the winner when third at Newbury. But the latter still beat a subsequent winner and the Henderson charge gets the vote on the strength of that form.
Camachoice (IRE) 2-1fav (10-8) Held up mid-division, ridden and weakened before last, 9th of 12, 38l behind Lightening Rod (11-5) at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Oct.
Coozan George 28-1 (11-1) Tracked leader to 4th, pushed along before 2 out, soon lost place, last of 4, 33l behind Wilberdragon (11-8) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gs in Mar.
Countersign 33-1 (11-0) Raced keenly, held up behind in touch, chased leaders 3 out, soon outpaced, no chance with fron trio before next, mistake last, 4th of 6, 35l behind Blue Heron (11-4) at Kempton 2m Listed nov hdl (1) gs in Oct.
Hassle (IRE) 6-5fav (11-0) Held up in touch, not fluent 5th, effort 3 out, went 3rd and shaken up before 2 out, one pace and no impression when not fluent last, 3rd of 8, 17l behind Puisque Tu Pars (11-0) at Newbury 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Quebec 2-1fav (10-7) Took keen hold and always going well, hit 1st, tracked leaders, tracking leader before went right 2nd, led on bit before 3 out, not fluent 3 out, soon clear, canter, won at Exeter 2m 1f nov sell hdl (5) gs in Mar beating Archie Rice (10-7) by 15l, 7 ran.
Lochalsh (IRE) 20-1 (10-7) Mid-division, weakened 3 out, 12th of 14, well behind Boite (11-0) at Stratford 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Larmor (FR) 12-1 (10-7) Held up in rear, headway before 3 out, to go 3rd, left 2nd 2 out, kept on and no chance with winner, 2nd of 9, 12l behind Aristo Du Plessis (10-9) at Catterick 2m mdn hdl (5) sft in Feb.
