raced wide, chased leaders, pushed along before 3 out, went modest 3rd next, went left last, weakened and lost that placing towards finish
chased leaders, weakened after 4 out
in touch and keen, awkward 5th, soon behind, reminders after next, never on terms after, tailed off
led, 2nd made rest, came clear 3 out, easily
held up in last pair, closer at 8th, went 2nd and mistake 2 out, held when reached for last, no chance with winner, lost 2nd run-in
edgy prior to start, well away and led until 2nd, chased winner, reminders after 4 out, lost 2nd 3 out, chased leaders, outpaced before next, plugged on into 2nd again run-in
held up in last pair, closer 5th, chased leaders 10th, hit next, went 2nd 3 out until mistake and weakened next
Buckled has won twice over hurdles around here while Arthurs Secret gained one of his two hurdles victories on the track and ran well on his return in October. Mighty Thunder won a Perth handicap at this level in October, when Niceandeasy pulled up, and ran better than his finishing positions suggests in a better event at Aintree last time. THECLOCKISTICKING (NAP) had been chasing before reverting to hurdles in a Class 2 handicap at Kempton where he was only beaten 4 lengths over a trip too short. He looks to have the quality to see these off with his rider's claim a bonus.
Theclockisticking (IRE) 7-2jfav (11-5) Led until 2nd, chased leaders, dropped to mid-division and pushed along after 6th, behind 3 out, rallied on outside approaching 2 out, went 3rd between last 2, closed on 2nd but no chance with winner, 3rd of 11, 4 1/4l behind Fleur Irlandaise (11-1) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp (2) gd in Nov.
Senor Lombardy (IRE) 22-1 (11-10) In touch on outside, ridden before 2 out, kept on same pace, lost place last, weakened flat, 8th of 9, 13 1/4l behind Rapper (11-1) at Market Rasen 2m 7f hcp (2) sft in Nov.
Ahead of The Curve (FR) 50-1 (11-2) Held up well in rear, ridden, weakened before 4 out, 4th of 5, dist behind Windsor Avenue (11-7) at Carlisle 2m 4f (3) sft in Nov.
Mighty Thunder 15-2 (11-2) Chased leaders, weakened last, 8th of 11, 20 1/4l behind Same Circus (11-2) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp (3) sft in Oct.
Arthurs Secret 20-1 (9-7) Tracked leaders, driven over 2f out, soon ridden and one pace, kept on inside final furlong, no impression, 5th of 10, 2 1/4l behind Beechwood Jude (9-3) at Musselburgh 2m hcp (5) sft in Oct.
Niceandeasy (IRE) 13-2 (11-12) Held up in rear, pushed along after 7th, reminder and headway on inside after next, ridden and lost place after 4 out, tailed off 2 out, last of 6, dist behind Court Baloo (10-5) at Kelso 3m 2f hcp (3) hvy in Nov.
Buckled 14-1 (11-10) Mid-division, headway 3 out, weakened before next, 9th of 12, dist behind Emerald Chieftan (11-8) at Kelso 2m 7f hcp (4) gd in May.
