tracked leading pair and always going well, went 2nd on bit 2 out, led travelling well before last, soon clear, ridden out, easily
took keen hold, held up in rear, not fluent 3rd, went 4th 3 out, never any chance with leading trio, tailed off
led, joined 3 out, pushed along before 2 out, ridden and headed before last, stayed on but never going pace of easy winner
tracked leading trio, hit 4th and 4 out, pushed along and weakened 3 out, tailed off
tracked leader, challenged on inside 3 out, every chance 2 out, soon ridden in 3rd, one pace before last
CALIPTO is a leading fancy for next month's Triumph Hurdle as his victory here in November has worked out well. Both the fourth and sixth have won since and Paul Nicholls' is likely to be a short-priced favourite for this despite giving weight to older horses. Justification won twice on the Flat in Ireland and has his first start for Gary Moore. He should be winning soon judged on his third at Thurles while Seedling was only beaten a length over track and trip on his second start over timber. Little Jon, second at Southwell in December, looks the pick of the remainder.
Calipto (FR) 5-2fav (10-12) Held up mid-division, headway before 3 out, going well from 2 out, led on bit before last, shaken up run-in, kept on well, won at Newbury 2m 3yo hdl (3) gs in Nov beating Activial (10-12) by 3 1/2l, 9 ran.
Justification 14-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders and 6th halfway, 3rd 3 out, ridden before next, mistake last, kept on run-in,, 3rd of 18, 2 3/4l behind Giantofaman (11-4) at Thurles 2m mdn hdl in Nov.
Little Jon 12-1 (11-0) Led 1st until 4 out, weakening when not fluent 2 out, 7th of 15, 39l behind Deputy Dan (11-0) at Chepstow 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) hvy in Dec.
No No Charlie (IRE) 9-4 (10-12) Took keen hold, led until before 2 out, weakened quickly between last 2, 6th of 8, 40l behind John Reel (10-12) at Southwell 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Seedling 33-1 (11-0) Held up mid-division, headway 3 out, ridden before last, kep ton and went 2nd place close home, 2nd of 14, 1l behind Wilde Blue Yonder (11-0) at Newbury 2m NH mdn hdl (3) gs in Nov.
Flemensmix 8-1 (10-12) Mid-division, chased leaders after 3 out, no impression in 4th approaching next, soon weakened, tailed off, 5th of 9, 32l behind Anay Turge (10-12) at Southwell 2m nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
Candyman Can (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Last pair, pushed along after 4 out, soon outpaced and no chance before mistake 3 out, tailed off, last of 5, 29l behind Baradari (10-12) at Newbury 2m 3yo hdl (3) hvy in Dec.
