chased leaders, driven and lost place after 4 out, behind from next
tracked leader, led before 3 out, ridden and headed before next, one pace between last 2, kept on under pressure flat, no impression with front pair
tracked leaders, challenged 3 out, lost place next, ridden and no impression between last 2
behind, outpaced 3 out, never dangerous
towards rear, outpaced before 3 out, never dangerous
tracked leaders, driven and lost place before 2 out, weakened last
mid-division, driven to chase leaders 3 out, never on terms, weakened from next
held up towards rear, headway on inside 3 out, soon tracked leaders, outpaced next, no impression after
led, driven and headed before 3 out, soon ridden, weakened next
held up mid-division, headway before 3 out, joined winner approaching next, every chance last, soon ridden, hung left and kept on under pressure flat, held closing stages
held up in touch, headway 3 out, led narrowly going well before next, ridden and kept on under pressure flat, held on well
tracked leaders, driven before 2 out, kept on same pace between last 2, never on terms
in touch, driven after 2 out, kept on same pace in 4th before last, no impression with leaders
mid-division, fell 3rd
held up behind, headway 3 out, chased leaders next, ridden and one pace between last 2, no impression
held up in rear, outpaced 3 out, stayed on into mid-division from next, never nearer
Clyne has had a good season and William H Bonney won a competitive handicap at Cheltenham last month. However, he was behind Beltor, Wait For Me and Eddiemaurice at Kempton earlier and Robert Stephens’ charge is an interesting runner in this given he was a leading fancy for the Triumph Hurdle around this time two years ago and often travels strongly in his races. Song Light and De Name Escapes Me have been the subject of ante-post support this week while Paul Nicholls runs Movewiththetimes and Zubayr. The former’s form doesn’t look good enough for a race like this, however, while the latter may be too high in the handicap. BALLYANDY (NAP) is still awaiting a first victory over hurdles but his novice form, including a close second in a Grade 2 last time, is well above average and last year’s Champion Bumper winner, who could yet take his chance in the Supreme Novices’, looks the pick of the weights.
Hargam (FR) 50-1 (11-12) Always behind, struggling in last pair 5th, tailed off, 14th of 19, dist behind Brain Power (11-11) at Ascot 2m hcp (1) gs in Dec.
Clyne 9-1 (11-4) Tracked leader, led 4th, ridden after 2 out and soon hard pressed, headed last 50 yards, kept on, 2nd of 5, 1l behind The New One (11-12) at Haydock 2m (1) sft in Jan.
Boite (IRE) 9-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, headway chasing leaders approaching 3 out, pushed along before next, ridden and no impression between last two, weakened approaching last, 5th of 14, 13 1/4l behind Theligny (10-4) at Newbury 2m 5f hcp (2) gs in Dec.
Zubayr (IRE) 13-2 (11-12) Raced keenly, led until 2nd, chased leader until next, chased leading pair, 2nd again 3 out until pushed along 2 out, weakened soon after, 5th of 10, 11 1/4l behind Brain Power (11-10) at Sandown 2m hcp lst (1) gs in Dec.
De Name Escapes Me (IRE) 16-1 (10-8) Rear of mid-division, ridden to progress 2 out, stayed on into 8th entering straight, no impression before last, kept on one pace, 10th of 25, 16 1/4l behind Anibale Fly (10-9) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp Good - Yielding in Apr.
Wait For Me (FR) 7-2fav (11-3) Mid-division, headway when not fluent 3rd, challenged 2 out, soon led, headed last, fading in 5th close home, 5th of 14, 3 3/4l behind William H Bonney (10-11) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp (2) sft in Jan.
William H Bonney 5-1 (10-11) Mid-division, headway 4th, led last, stayed on, driven out, won at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp (2) sft in Jan beating Man Of Plenty (10-0) by 1l, 14 ran.
Kayf Blanco 5-1 (11-8) Held up, towards rear, headway tracking leaders 7th, keeping on when hampered by faller 3 out, one pace after, plugged on into modest 4th run-in, 4th of 10, 12l behind Space Oddity (10-3) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp (3) sft in Jan.
Ballyhill (FR) 33-1 (11-7) Held up in rear, some headway 3 out, soon driven and no impression, well beaten when not fluent 2 out, 5th of 6, 21 1/2l behind Willoughby Court (11-4) at Warwick 2m 5f (1) sft in Jan.
Movewiththetimes (IRE) 4-11fav (11-4) Mid-division, closed from 5th, challenged out, led last, cosily, won at Wincanton 1m 7f (4) gs in Dec beating Hidden Cargo (10-12) by 1l, 18 ran.
Ballyandy 11-10fav (11-0) Tracked leader, chased new leader approaching 2 out, soon every chance until hit last, lost 2nd run-in, rallied gamely to regain 2nd 100 yards out, kept on, 2nd of 7, 1/2l behind Messire Des Obeaux (11-7) at Sandown 2m 4f (1) gs in Dec.
Beltor 11-2 (11-6) Took keen hold, chased leaders, not fluent 5th, went 2nd going well on long run before 2 out, led narrowly 2 out, about 1 length ahead when mistake last, soon headed, rallied and kept on but unable to recover, 3rd of 12, 1 1/4l behind Bigmartre (11-6) at Kempton 2m hcp (3) gd in Dec.
Song Light 16-1 (10-3) Held up in rear, headway approaching 3 out, not clear run before next, pressing for 2nd last, stayed on, not quite able to challenge, 3rd of 16, 1 3/4l behind North Hill Harvey (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (1) sft in Nov.
Gassin Golf 11-1 (11-5) Held up in last pair, headway tracking leaders before 4 out, led approaching 2 out until 2 out, chased leaders, ridden and weakened approaching last, 5th of 11, 12 1/4l behind Onefitzall (11-3) at Newbury 2m 5f hcp (2) gs in Nov.
Veinard (FR) 14-1 (10-1) Towards rear, headway to chase leaders when slight mistake last, kept on run-in, 7th of 20, 2 3/4l behind Ice Cold Soul (10-2) at Leopardstown 2m hcp gd in Jan.
Eddiemaurice (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Took keen hold, held up in last trio, good headway on inside chasing leaders before 2 out, disputing close 2nd when awkward last, driven and stayed on run-in,, 5th of 12, 1 1/4l behind Bigmartre (11-6) at Kempton 2m hcp (3) gd in Dec.