made all, hit 1st, good advantage 3rd, drew clear before 2 out, went right last, kept on strongly, unchallenged
took keen hold, held up in 6th, some headway when hit 3 out, went modest 4th flat, never on terms
tracked leading trio, hit 4th, 3rd from 5th until before 3 out, 4th and beaten when blundered 2 out, weakened soon after, lost poor 4th flat, tailed off
chased winner until dropped to 4th 5th, rallied to 3rd before 3 out, went 2nd before next, no chance with winner
held up in rear, mistake 3rd, ridden and beaten 5th, blundered 2 out, never on terms, tailed off
held up in 5th, blundered and rear from 5th, tailed off
chased leading pair, went 2nd 5th, went left 3 out, ridden soon after, no chance with winner when dropped to 3rd before next, went left last
Withdrawn
AL FEROF certainly wasn't winning out of turn at Taunton last month. A faller when going clear on his hurdling debut at Cheltenham, he ran well when third to Backspin in the Challow Hurdle here on his second start and can make light of this drop in distance getting 4lb from Kid Cassidy. Nicky Henderson's gelding won easily over C&D on his hurdles bow but was no match for Rock On Ruby on a return visit to the track at the end of December and may have to settle for a place again today. Yorgunnabelucky won three times on the level last year but was easy to back when fifth on his introduction to hurdles at Doncaster. He made mistakes that day but is probably capable of better and preferred to another recruit from the Flat in Oasis Knight.
Al Ferof (FR) 1-7fav (11-5) Held up in touch, heaway to lead 5th, soon clear, very easily, won at Taunton 2m 3f NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (4) gs in Jan beating His Lordship (11-5) by 20l, 12 ran.
Archie Rice (USA) 7-2 (8-12) Led, joined approaching 8f out, ridden and headed 2f out, no chance with winner when weakened to 3rd final 150 yards, 3rd of 6, 5l behind Taaresh (9-10) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jan (flat).
Guarino (GER) 80-1 (11-3) Prominent in chasing group, in 4th 3 out, ridden and weakened 2 out, 6th of 13, well behind Shammick Boy (11-10) at Taunton 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gs.
Oasis Knight (IRE) 25-1 (8-12) Led, headed over 2f out, soon weakened, 4th of 5, 15l behind Manifest (8-12) at York 1m 6f Grp 2 (1) gf in May (flat).
Senses (USA) 50-1 (11-4) Always in rear, never dangerous, 10th of 14, well behind Shammick Boy (11-4) at Taunton 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
The Merry Giant (IRE) 7-1 (11-0) Held up, headway approaching 4 out, soon driven and beaten, 13th of 15, well behind Our Father (11-0) at Chepstow 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Yorgunnabelucky (USA) 4-1 (10-12) Held up mid-division on inner, jumped slow 1st, in 5th approaching 3 out, ridden and hampered 2 out, weakened before last, 5th of 11, 9l behind Solis (10-2) at Doncaster 2m nov hdl (4) gd in Jan.
Kid Cassidy (IRE) 11-8fav (11-5) Took keen hold, held up in 6th, 8th after 4 out, modest 3rd as field came into view final 110 yards, 3rd of 12, 12l behind Rock On Ruby (11-0) at Newbury 2m hdl (3) gs in Dec.
Fenix Two Milan gelding out of Amorello.
Marching Song (USA) 5-2fav (11-4) Took keen hold, held up in mid-division, headway 5th, challenged after 3 out, close 3rd when crumpled on landing last, not recover, 5th of 14, 12l behind Buckie Boy (11-4) at Huntingdon 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
