held up in mid-division, headway on wide outside before 2 out, 2nd between last 2, led before last and soon clear, stayed on gamely run-in, driven out
held up in last trio, modest 6th and struggling 3 out, never involved
held up in last trio, never a factor
not fluent in mid-division, hit 4 out, headway in inside approaching next, 3rd approaching last, stayed on into 2nd run-in and kept on under pressure but always held
chased leaders, weakening when blundered 3 out, tailed off
chased leader until pushed along before 3 out, weakened before next
chased leaders, pushed along and outpaced before 3 out, went poor 4th run-in
took keen hold in last trio, never a factor
chased leaders, 2nd before 3 out, led narrowly 3 out, hung left and headed before last, one pace and no impression when hung badly left and weakened into 3rd run-in
led until 3 out, chased leader until before next, chased leading pair until weakened before last
Silsol won at Ayr and Newton Abbot in the spring but this is easily his stiffest task to date over hurdles. First Avenue is thoroughly exposed but Exitas wasn't disgraced when attempting a four-timer in the Greatwood Hurdle and that form is usually worth following. Albert Bridge should have more to offer this winter but Triumphant is proving expensive to follow and Germany Calling is looking in the handicapper's grip. HAMMERSLY LAKE was just touched off in a conditionals' race at Cheltenham on his return from a break. The winner followed up at Fakenham and the third has also won since so Nicky Henderson's charge gets the nod here with Barry Geraghty taking over the reins, despite a 4lb rise in the weights.
Silsol (GER) 4-7fav (10-10) Tracked leaders, led 2 out, kept on and held on well, won at Newton Abbot 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Apr beating Kris Spin (11-5) by 2 1/4l, 5 ran.
Bordoni (USA) 25-1 (10-8) Rear of mid-division, progress 2 out, ridden in 6th last, kept on one pace, 5th of 20, 5l behind Thomas Edison (10-6) at Galway 2m hcp hdl gd in Jul.
First Avenue 40-1 (11-0) Held up in last trio, mistake 3 out, never able to get on terms, ridden and readily outpaced before 2 out, 6th of 7, 23l behind Faugheen (11-4) at Ascot 2m 3f hdl G2 (1) sft.
Hammersly Lake (FR) 10-1 (11-6) Mid-division, tracked leaders 4 out, every chance towards stands side last, ridden and stayed on well towards finish, just held, 2nd of 13, hd behind Roman Flight (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m Conditional Handicap Hurdle (0-140) (3yo+) (3) gd in Oct.
Exitas (IRE) 11-2 (10-5) Mid-division, hampered on bend after 4 out, ridden and stayed on approaching last, unable to get on terms, 6th of 15, 10l behind Garde La Victoire (11-9) at Cheltenham 2m hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) sft.
Albert Bridge 7-2 (11-2) Led until 4th, chased leader, led again 3 out, stayed on strongly to forge clear flat, easily, won at Plumpton 2m mdn hdl (5) sft in Feb beating Civil War (11-2) by 10l, 14 ran.
Vice Et Vertu (FR) 33-1 (11-5) Always towards rear, 12th of 16, well behind Brave Vic (10-12) at Sandown 2m 4f nov hcap hdle Grd 3 (1) sft in Mar.
Germany Calling (IRE) 7-4fav (11-3) Led, soon clear, not fluent 3 out, headed 2 out, one pace, 3rd of 8, 13l behind Theinval (10-13) at Kempton 2m cond hcp hdl (0-130) (3) sft.
Home Run (GER) 13-8fav (9-9) Tracked leaders, travelling strongly when stumbled and unseated rider approaching 2 out, in a race won by Master Of The Hall (9-9) at Market Rasen 3m hcp hdl (2) sft, 5 ran.
Triumphant (IRE) 10-3fav (11-7) Held up towards rear, raced wide down back straight, headway before 4 out, ridden before 2 out, kept on to take 2nd place towards finish, 2nd of 8, 1l behind Hi Note (10-13) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Oct.
