behind, mistake 4th, headway 3 out, soon no impression
led after 1st, driven clear 2 out, jumped left last, easily
mid-division, headway 4 out, soon weakened
held up in rear, headway 4 out, soon chasing leaders, outpaced after next, stayed on before last, never able to challenge
led early, remained close up, effort after 3 out, weakened before last
chased leaders, slow 2nd, pushed along 4 out, soon weakened
raced freely in mid-division, soon tracking leader, driven to challenge before 2 out, kept on same pace
mid-division, headway 3 out, soon chasing leaders, mistake 2 out, kept on well under pressure
chased leaders, lost place halfway, weakened 3 out
behind, headway after 3 out, never dangerous
STAR OF MASSINI was headed right on the line by Islandmagee in a conditionals' race at Kempton earlier this month where Manshoor jumped poorly and weakened quickly approaching the second-last. Seamus Mullins' charge can go one better here with weighing room senior Andy Thornton taking over the reins. Tornado In Milan is starting to knock on the door and should be winning soon but Sir Fredlot was well beaten at Sandown on Friday while Right Stuff has disappointed over hurdles this winter. Just Beware has been a good servant to connections but appears to find it tough in this grade nowadays.
Right Stuff (FR) 40-1 (11-2) Always towards rear, mistake 4th, no chance when blundered 2 out, 9th of 11, 30l behind Quaddick Lake (11-9) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Dec.
Tornado In Milan (IRE) 9-2 (10-12) In touch, pulled hard, led after 4th, ridden 2 out, headed after last, no extra, 3rd of 6, 4l behind Mr Mole (11-12) at Taunton 2m 1f Novice Handicap Hurdle (0-130) (4yo+) (3) hvy.
Brody Bleu (FR) (11-7) Led 11; easy, won at Barbury Racecourse 2m 4f ptp gd in Feb '12 beating Ballydaily (11-7) by 10l, 3 ran.
Sir Fredlot (IRE) 14-1 (11-2) Chased leader, led 2nd, headed 3rd, chased leader until 3 out, ridden and lost 2nd before next, soon beaten, 7th of 12, 16l behind Thundering Home (10-9) at Sandown 2m cond hcp hdl 0-1115 (4) gs.
Star Of Massini (IRE) 16-1 (10-13) Led until 3rd, chased leader, mistake next, mistake 4 out, led again 2 out, ridden before headed last, led again soon after and stayed on, headed post, 2nd of 11, ns behind Islandmagee (11-2) at Kempton 2m cond hcp hdl 0-1115 (4) gs.
Manshoor (IRE) 20-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, slow and lost place 4th, rallied to chase leaders again 3 out, ridden and weakened before next, 8th of 11, 22l behind Islandmagee (11-2) at Kempton 2m cond hcp hdl 0-1115 (4) gs.
Engai (GER) 6-1 (11-5) Tracked winner, no impression and lost 2nd approaching normal 2 out, soon weakened, 5th of 8, well behind Swaledale Lad (11-4) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) hvy.
Nemo Spirit (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Towards rear and raced wide, never dangerous, 7th of 12, 12l behind Rocky Elsom (11-1) at Plumpton 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Jan.
Iron Duke 40-1 (11-10) Held up, well beaten 3 out, tailed off, 10th of 14, well behind Master Of The Sea (11-7) at Hereford 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) sft in Dec.
Just Beware 14-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders, led 5th, hit 3 out, ridden next, headed soon after last, kept on one pace, 2nd of 7, 1 1/4l behind Thunderstorm (11-9) at Plumpton 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (5) hvy in Dec.