tracked winner, tried to challenge 3 out, ridden and no impression next, lost 2nd at the last, weakened run-in
chased leaders on inside, awkward 3rd, pushed along and outpaced 3 out, weakened before next
held up off the pace in 7th, pushed along and struggling home turn, never involved
held up towards rear, some headway out wide after 4 out, weakened before next
held up in mid-division, closer at 4th, pushed along and tried to challenge 3 out, no impression next, went 2nd at the last until weakened into 3rd run-in
steadied well in rear, stayed on from after 2 out, switched left between last two, went 2nd run-in, no chance with winner
off the pace in 8th, reminders and struggling after 4 out, never a factor
chased leaders, weakened turning in, tailed off
never closer than mid-division, weakened and struggling after 4 out, tailed off and unseated rider 2 out
off the pace and behind, plugged on under strong pressure into 4th run-in
made all and set strong pace, drew well clear from 2 out, stayed on strongly, unchallenged
Palace Boy and JET POWERED are conceding weight to their rivals but could end up dominating this contest. The former beat a subsequent winner on his hurdling debut at Chepstow and has been gelded since but the latter is preferred as he won by 11 lengths here on his first start under Rules, despite showing signs of inexperience. Klitschko’s win came in a Huntingdon bumper but he was only third at that track on his hurdles bow. Hourvari, Inneston and Space Voyage are all worth monitoring for future reference.
Jet Powered (IRE) 8-13fav (11-4) Raced keenly tracking leaders, 2nd going well before led 3 out, came clear before next, awkward at the last, impressive, won at Newbury 2m mdn (3) gd in Nov beating Ittack Blue (11-4) by 11l, 12 ran.
Palace Boy (GER) 9-2 (11-0) Held up in mid-division headway chasing leaders before 3 out, went 2nd before hit 2 out, challenged and flattened the last, stayed on to lead close home, won at Chepstow 2m (4) gs in Oct beating Beau Balko (10-13) by nk, 13 ran.
Bascule (FR) 4-1fav (9-5) Held up in mid-division, headway over 1f out, challenged final furlong, lost 3rd last stride, 4th of 13, 1 1/4l behind Pons Aelius (8-3) at Kempton 2m hcp (2) pol in Dec.
Hourvari (FR) 16-5 (11-2) Midfield, pushed along over 3f out, kept on same pace final 2f, 4th of 9, 18 3/4l behind Twinjets (11-9) at Haydock 2m (3) gs in May.
Inneston (FR) (9-8) won at Le Mans 1m 3f in Oct beating Inigo (9-10), 13 ran.
Klitschko 4-11fav (11-6) Raced keenly towards rear, some headway before 3 out, 3rd when pushed before 2 out, slow last and ridden, stayed on one pace, 3rd of 10, 6l behind Despereaux (10-4) at Huntingdon 2m mdn (4) gd in Nov.
Steal My Sunshine 40-1 (11-0) Towards rear, pushed along after 5th, lost touch 3 out, 4th of 6, 34l behind Chianti Classico (11-7) at Market Rasen 2m 5f (4) gs in Dec.
Titanium Bullet (IRE) 16-1 (10-13) Chased leaders, went second briefly after 3 out, soon ridden, weakening when not fluent 2 out, 6th of 12, dist behind Northern Poet (11-0) at Plumpton 2m 5f (4) gs in Nov.
Whenitrainsitpours (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) Held up in last, ridden along over 2f out, made no telling impression, last of 4, 11l behind Sole Solution (11-0) at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 1f (5) sft in Nov.
Space Voyage 3-1 (10-9) In rear, ridden and briefly outpaced 3f out, soon rapid headway on outside, led final furlong, stayed on strongly, won at Market Rasen 2m 1f (5) gd in Jun beating Victory Club (11-9) by 1 1/4l, 5 ran.
Jupiter Du Gite (FR) 3-1 (9-10) Tracked leader,very chance when ridden 2f out, faded inside final furlong, 3rd of 13, 9l behind Joie Des Obeaux (9-7) at Senonnes-Pouance 1m 3f stks hvy in Apr.
