chased clear winner, ridden and closed 2 out, kept on one pace run in
made all, soon clear, reduced lead 2 out, shaken up run in, ran on
in touch in rear, headway when mistake 3 out, weakened next, tailed off
in touch, weakened soon after 4 out, behind when hit last
close up, mistake 4th, pushed along 4 out, weakened next, tailed off
tracked leaders, ridden 4 out, weakening when mistake next, tailed off
Collingham won his last two on the Flat in France during the summer and started odds-on for his hurdling debut here last month where he led two out and went clear. SKYCUTTER was fourth in the November handicap before making all for an impressive hurdling bow at Wetherby and gets the nod. His stable companion Bamboo Boy, a winner over 1m4f at Roscommon for Joseph O'Brien, was there for most of the race in a strong looking juvenile hurdle at Newcastle in which Oot Ma Way wasn't far behind, while Beowulf, a rare jumper for Michael Bell, will have learnt plenty from his Fontwell debut. Bulls Aye won on the Flat here but has plenty to do on his hurdling debut.
Collingham (GER) 8-11fav (10-12) Prominent, pressed leaders 2 out, ridden and led well before last, pushed out run-in, readily, won at Musselburgh 2m mdn (4) gs in Nov beating We Still Believe (10-12) by 5l, 6 ran.
Skycutter (FR) 5-6fav (10-12) Made all, jumped right throughout, ridden 3 out, went clear after last, won at Wetherby 2m mdn (4) gd in Nov beating Patient Dream (10-12) by 6 1/2l, 9 ran.
Bamboo Bay (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Led until 1st, chased leader, mistake 6th, led 3 out, headed 2 out, no extra last, 4th of 6, 9 3/4l behind Too Friendly (11-3) at Newcastle 2m (2) gs in Nov.
Beowulf (IRE) 3-1 (10-12) Raced in mid-division, headway 3 out, ridden 2 out, stayed on one pace, 3rd of 12, 13l behind Boulette (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f (4) gd in Nov.
Bulls Aye (IRE) 12-1 (9-2) Dwelt, in rear, ridden 3f out, never on terms, 7th of 8, 10 1/4l behind Freak Out (9-2) at Redcar 1m 2f hcp (4) gd in Sep.
Oot Ma Way (FR) 50-1 (10-5) Raced keenly, led 1st, clear after next until slowed into 3rd, headed 3 out, no extra last, 5th of 6, 10 3/4l behind Too Friendly (11-3) at Newcastle 2m (2) gs in Nov.