tracked leaders, pressed front pair 4 out, disputed lead 3 out, soon led, drew clear 2 out and ran green, pushed out run-in, easily
held up in touch, pressing leaders when hit rail and unseated rider after 4 out
led, joined 3 out, soon headed, shaken up and hampered by loose horse before 2 out, soon well held and faded run-in
handy, hampered by loose horse after 4 out and dropped to 3rd, not fluent 3 out, ridden after 2 out and no impression, kept on to take 2nd close home
This looks between the two recent winners with IMPERIAL MERLIN preferred to Supreme Gift. The former landed a bumper before returning an impressive winner at Catterick on his hurdling bow and John Quinn’s charge can go in again. The latter made a successful hurdling debut when scoring at Uttoxeter and should be in the mix while Macavity looks the only threat of the remaining trio having placed at Wetherby last time.
Imperial Merlin (IRE) 6-4fav (11-0) Chased leaders, headway to lead just after 2 out, went clear approaching last, ridden flat, went further clear, impressive, won at Catterick 2m 3f (4) sft in Nov beating Fenna's Loss (11-7) by 17l, 9 ran.
Supreme Gift (IRE) 11-4 (11-4) Mid-division, rapid headway home turn, led before 2 out, hard pressed last, kept on well flat, won going away, won at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn (4) gd in Nov beating Leading Choice (11-4) by 3l, 10 ran.
Brian's Jet (IRE) 40-1 (11-4) Prominent, lost place before 5th, not fluent 6th, pushed along before 3 out, tailed off, 6th of 8, 32 1/2l behind War Soldier (11-4) at Newcastle 2m mdn (4) gs in Nov.
Macavity 25-1 (10-13) Prominent, nudged along before 3 out, ridden approaching next, kept on from last, 3rd of 14, 3 1/4l behind Moon Hunter (11-0) at Wetherby 2m 4f (3) gd in Nov.
I'm Dougal Rocks (FR) 20-1 (11-0) Towards rear of mid-division, ridden along 4f out, soon beaten and faded, 8th of 12, 23 1/4l behind Fenna's Loss (11-0) at Hexham 2m (5) gd in Jun.
