close 3rd, went 2nd out wide before 4th, led 2 out, ridden and headed between last two, ridden and stayed on same pace run-in, no chance with very easy winner
raced keenly, waited with in rear, smooth headway on inside tracking leaders when reached at 3 out, went 2nd soon after 2 out, led between last two, came easily clear run-in
led, hit 5th, pushed along mistake and headed 2 out, chased leaders weakened between last two
raced keenly, tracked leader until before 4th, chased leaders, outpaced before 2 out, kept on again run-in, no chance with winner
swerved left start, raced keenly and soon tracking leaders, ridden and kept on run-in, never going pace to challenge
Nietzsche hasn’t won over hurdles in more than four years but did win on the Flat in September and is still capable in this grade. Socialist Agenda is eased in grade and won here and at Catterick last season while Al Zaraqaan is seeking a four-timer over timber but SMART LASS (NAP) loves it here and will get stronger handling today from Conor O’Farrell. Scots Poet disappointed last time at Kelso but is still preferred to Antey of the others.
Socialist Agenda 11-2 (11-0) Didnt jump with fluency, held up off the pace in rear, driven along and became detached soon after 3 out, well behind from 2 out, eased closing stages, last of 8, dist behind Britzka (11-8) at Perth 2m hcp (2) gd in Aug.
Al Zaraqaan 66-1 (9-4) Towards rear, ridden over 2f out, never on terms, 10th of 11, 17 3/4l behind Missed The Cut (9-1) at Lingfield 1m 2f lst stks (1) pol in Nov.
Antey (GER) 50-1 (11-4) Raced keenly and often jumped left, held up off the pace in last, went moderate 4th, before 3 out, went modest 3rd before next, 3rd of 5, 22l behind Holmes St Georges (10-8) at Musselburgh 2m hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Nietzsche 16-1 (11-8) Mid-division, steady headway approaching 3 out, weakened home turn, 14th of 18, 31 1/4l behind Sweet Will (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Scots Poet 5-1 (11-8) In rear, headway into 3rd 3 out, pushed along and not fluent 2 out, soon ridden and weakened quickly before last, 4th of 7, 25 1/4l behind Lock Down Luke (11-11) at Kelso 2m hcp (4) gs in Oct.
Smart Lass (IRE) 6-1 (10-11) Towards rear, pushed along 2 out, no impression on leaders but kept on run-in, 5th of 8, 9 1/2l behind Sonning (12-0) at Musselburgh 2m hcp (4) gs in Nov.