in touch, headway to track leaders 3rd, pushed along and hit 3 out, weakened next
in rear, early reminders, weakened 4 out, pulled up 3 out
tracked clear leader, ridden to lead approaching the last, ran on (only 8 hurdles jumped, first hurdle away from stands omitted )
led and soon clear, reduced lead 3rd, ridden and headed approaching last, kept on
towards rear, ridden 3 out, not trouble leaders
close up, pushed along and lost ground on leaders 3 out, plugged on
tracked leader, pushed along and lost place 3 out
towards rear, headway to track leaders 4 out, ridden and found little approaching the last, kept on same pace
held up, pushed along and outpaced 3rd, blundered 3 out
Three Castles had just hit the front at Musselburgh in November when taking a crashing fall at the last. He may be in need of a confidence-booster and BLACK ABBEY is preferred today. Harry Whittington’s charge chased home the more-experienced Manucci at Fontwell on his hurdling bow when the first two pulled well clear of the remainder. Artistic Language has twice found only one too good in maidens but doesn’t seem to find much off the bit. Jean Genie showed ability in France and made his UK debut in the Finale Hurdle at Chepstow but finished tailed off and is probably a little exposed now.
Artistic Language 2-1jfav (11-0) Tracked leaders, led 2 out, headed before last, kept on and always held, 2nd of 10, 11l behind Gerolamo Cardano (11-0) at Hereford 2m mdn (5) hvy in Jan.
Bannockburn (IRE) 33-1 (8-8) Behind, beaten over 4f out, last of 13, 17 1/4l behind Mamdood (9-1) at Newcastle 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Oct.
Beat Box (FR) 20-1 (10-12) Prominent, mistake 2nd, outpaced after 4 out, rallied 2 out, kept on into 4th, never a threat, 4th of 8, 15l behind Never Do Nothing (10-12) at Musselburgh 2m (4) gs in Jan.
Black Abbey (FR) 15-2 (10-12) Tracked leader, chased winner and driven before 2 out, kept on and always held run-in, 2nd of 9, 4 1/2l behind Manucci (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f mdn (4) sft in Dec.
Dequall 50-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, never dangerous, last of 8, 35 1/4l behind Never Do Nothing (10-12) at Musselburgh 2m (4) gs in Jan.
Jean Genie (FR) 40-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, ridden and weakened before 3 out, 7th of 8, dist behind Allmankind (11-0) at Chepstow 2m (1) hvy in Dec.
Major Snugfit 20-1 (9-2) Led 2f, tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, kept on one pace, 4th of 13, 1 1/2l behind Greengage (9-9) at Newcastle 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Three Castles 6-1 (10-12) Held up, steady headway travelling well after 4 out, slight lead when fell heavily last, at Musselburgh 2m mdn (4) gs in Nov.
Dolly Dupree 50-1 (10-7) Always towards rear, 7th of 10, 32 3/4l behind Gerolamo Cardano (11-0) at Hereford 2m mdn (5) hvy in Jan.
