pressed leader, led over 10f out, ridden over 1f out, headed entering final furlong, stayed on, led again close home
held up in last, pushed along over 4f out, went 3rd 2f out, plugged on, no impression
held up in 4th, closed on outside from 3f, out went 2nd over 2f out, challenged over 1f out, led entering final furlong, headed close home
led, headed over 12f out, chased winner until outpaced over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
chased leaders, disputing 2nd over 4f out, outpaced over 2f out, soon weakened
Thistimenextyear was only second when favourite for a maiden hurdle at Market Rasen last month but has at least had a recent run. Roman Flight has a very long absence to overcome but SLUNOVRAT goes well fresh and can race off the same mark as when second at Sandown on his reappearance last year. He gets the nod, though Multellie has tumbled down the weights and could be a danger. Zenafire won off a higher mark last year and is also worth a market check.
Slunovrat (FR) 25-1 (9-5) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened entering final furlong, 15th of 16, 19 1/4l behind October Storm (8-6) at York 2m hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Roman Flight (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Towards rear, ridden and behind 9th, 11th of 16, dist behind Frodon (10-10) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (1) sft in Dec.
Thistimenextyear 15-8fav (10-11) Held up in last, smooth headway on inside after 3 out, chased winner next, kept on well, nearest finish, 2nd of 11, 1 1/4l behind L'inganno Felice (11-2) at Market Rasen 2m 1f mdn (5) gd in Apr.
Multellie 20-1 (9-7) Raced keenly, tracked leading pair, went 2nd 12f out, pushed along and lost 2nd 3f out, chased leaders, weakened final furlong, 5th of 8, 11l behind Great Return (9-8) at Southwell 1m 6f hcp (4) pol in Feb.
Zenafire 9-1 (11-5) In touch in rear, ridden 2 out, never a factor, 5th of 7, 18l behind Barrys Jack (10-9) at Carlisle 2m 1f hcp (3) hvy in Oct.