tracked leaders in 3rd, chased winner before 3 out, kept on and no impression
with leader and pulled hard, led before 2nd, blundered 5th, headed before 6th, lost place soon after
held up behind, tailed off before 6th, pulled up before 3 out
towards rear, soon in rear, tailed off halfway, never dangerous
tracked leaders and keen, in 3rd when blundered 3 out, soon weakened
led to before 2nd, led before 6th, clear before 2 out, hit last, kept on well, eased towards finish
held up towards rear, went 3rd before 2 out, kept on and no impression
LAVA LAMP, a winner twice on the Flat last year, was set a very stiff task on his hurdling debut in the Grade 2 Adonis Hurdle at Kempton. The four that finished in front of him that day are all very smart performers, however, and Evan Williams' gelding is sure to have learned from the experience. He should improve past Highly Regal, placed at Ascot and over this C&D on his two most recent starts over timber. Always De One could make the frame but it's hard to fancy Illuminative or Straight And Level on their first starts over hurdles.
Highly Regal (IRE) 8-1 (10-7) Raced keenly, led, clear 5th until before 3 out, headed 2 out, soon lost 2nd, weakened between last 2, 3rd of 10, 14l behind Galiotto (11-0) at Plumpton 2m mdn hdl (5) gf in Mar.
Illuminative (USA) 25-1 (8-13) In touch on outside, weakened 2f out, 10th of 13, 8l behind Carr Hall (8-13) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Mar (flat).
Sharmon 7-2 (12-5) Led til fell 8, in a race won by Law Court (12-5) at Cottenham 3m ptp gs in Jan, 6 ran.
Straight And Level (CAN) 4-1 (8-9) Held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, chased leaders inside final furlong, never able to challenge, 6th of 11, 2l behind Custard Cream Kid (8-8) at Kempton 1m app hcp 0-50 (7) pol in Dec (flat).
Zuwaar 66-1 (10-12) Chased leaders until weakened after 3 out, 8th of 14, 23l behind Present To You (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Homer Run (IRE) 125-1 (10-5) Raced keenly, mid-division, outpaced 3 out, weakened next, 8th of 15, 42l behind Sizing Santiago (11-0) at Hereford 2m 1f mdn hdl (5) gd.
Lava Lamp (GER) 50-1 (10-12) Mid-division, lost place 4th, rallied approaching 2 out, soon no impression, 5th of 9, 30l behind Zarkandar (10-12) at Kempton 2m 4yo hdl Grade 2 (1) gs in Feb.
Always De One 100-1 (9-11) Towards rear, plugged on from last, never on terms, 7th of 14, 28l behind Dubai Crest (10-7) at Huntingdon 2m mdn hdl (4) gd in Mar.
