pressed leader until before 3 out, soon weakened
chased leaders on inside, pushed along early, pushed along again after 6th, challenged from 3 out, switched right before last, led flat, held on
chased leaders, ridden and weakened before 2 out
chased leaders, took keen hold, not fluent 1st, outpaced 3 out, went well beaten 3rd from 2 out
led, jumped left 2 out, hung left before last, headed flat, stayed on, just held
always behind, tailed off before 3 out, soon pulled up
NonRunner
Fred has the advantage at the weights after winning at Kempton on Boxing Day with Ecco, trained by Paul Nicholls, back in second. But the latter takes on the winner once again with WILD MAX. A dual winner on the Flat in Germany, he’s won both starts over timber so far and seems versatile as regards the going. Sebastopol would have a shout but was due to run here yesterday while Malystic has the beating of fellow maiden hurdle winner Jabbaar on these terms. Construct is unbeaten over timber in Ireland though hasn’t raced since something went amiss on the Flat at Dundalk in October.
Construct 12-1 (9-11) Soon chased leaders in 4th, took closer order over 4f out, came close with rival into straight, soon impeded, no extra over 1f out, 9th of 13, 26 1/4l behind Girolamo (9-0) at Dundalk 1m 4f hcp pol in Oct.
Fred (FR) 9-2 (11-0) Tracked leaders, pushed along on long run before 2 out, went 2nd between last 2, led last, quickened readily clear run-in, won at Kempton 2m (2) sft in Dec beating Ecco (11-8) by 4 1/2l, 8 ran.
Wild Max (GER) 2-7fav (11-4) Prominent and keen, headway to lead 4th, came clear from last, readily, won at Taunton 2m (4) sft in Dec beating France De Reve (10-5) by 3 1/2l, 12 ran.
Jabbaar 13-8 (11-4) Raced keenly, close up, pressed winner after 4 out, ridden after 2 out, stayed on and every chance last, no extra towards finish, 2nd of 12, 4l behind Cheddleton (11-4) at Kelso 2m (4) hvy in Jan.
Malystic 2-1 (11-10) Raced keenly in 3rd, hit 7th, went 2nd before 2 out, well held when awkward last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 6 1/2l behind Pileon (11-4) at Catterick 2m 3f (4) sft in Jan.
County Fair 16-1 (11-6) Raced keenly, soon mid-division, weakened 4 out, tailed off when pulled up before next, at Ayr 2m 4f mdn (5) sft in Jan.
Sebastopol (IRE) 6-4fav (11-9) Close up, ridden and headway 3 out, hit next, kept on same pace, 4th of 13, 14l behind Highly Prized (10-9) at Huntingdon 2m hcp (3) gd in Nov.
