took keen hold, chased leaders, led approaching 3 out, ridden and headed before next, soon lost 2nd and no chance with leading pair
close 5th on outside, hit 5th, went 2nd before and went right 3 out, led travelling well before next, came clear from 2 out, brushed last, easily
always towards rear, never on terms, tailed off
never travelled and always behind, mistake 1st, reminders after 4th, tailed off when mistake 2 out
in rear, awkward 3rd, ridden and struggling after 6th, never on terms
chased leader, pushed right 3 out, chased winner approaching 2 out, no impression
took keen hold, in touch, ridden and one pace in modest 5th after 3 out, went 4th approaching next
led, headed before 3 out, weakened soon after 3 out
in touch, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened, behind when blundered 3 out, tailed off when blundered and unseated rider next
held up towards rear, some headway on outside after 6th, soon ridden and beaten, tailed off
A runner-up in a Grade 2 bumper at Aintree, MONTBAZON is a different class to these rivals. He went close on his hurdling bow to subsequent Tolworth Hurdle runner-up Colour Squadron and should be winning this with a clear round. Super Duplex made a disappointing hurdling debut in October but better is expected here arriving on the back of a win on the all-weather, while Victor Leudorum should also finish closer having finished sixth at Ffos Las on his hurdling bow. Edlomond has a second at Exeter to his credit though he's failed to complete the last twice and makes most appeal of the rest.
Edlomond (IRE) 16-1 (10-13) Mid-division, headway approaching 5th, 3 lengths 4th when fell 3 out, in a race won by Native Beauty (10-11) at Towcester 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft, 12 ran.
Montbazon (FR) 5-1 (11-0) Held up in touch, not fluent 4th, went 3rd after 5th, chased winner 2 out, challenging when not fluent last, stayed on, held final 100 yards, 2nd of 11, 1l behind Colour Squadron (11-0) at Newbury 2m mdn hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Robby Bobby 20-1 (9-5) Always towards rear, 11th of 12, 28l behind Jamarjo (8-12) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Dec (flat).
Sharakti (IRE) 100-1 (11-4) Always behind, tailed off, 11th of 12, well behind Poole Master (11-7) at Lingfield 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft.
Super Duplex 8-1 (10-5) Took keen hold, held up and always towards rear, tailed off, 9th of 11, 37l behind Well Regarded (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Victor Leudorum (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, ridden after 5th, soon weakened, tailed off, 6th of 10, 44l behind Peckhamecho (10-12) at Ffos Las 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Frolic Along (IRE) 40-1 (9-12) Held up towards rear, headway from over 2f out, chasing leaders 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong, 5th of 15, 8l behind Turbo Du Ranch (10-12) at Newbury 1m 4f 4yo nhf (5) gd in Mar.
It Wasn't Us (IRE) 66-1 (10-11) Behind, pushed along 3rd, some late headway, never nearer, 7th of 12, 38l behind Henry San (11-4) at Plumpton 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs.
Ede'sajolygoodfelo 40-1 (9-3) In rear, outpaced over 4f out, last of 5, 33l behind Choral (8-12) at Lingfield 7f 3yo mdn stks (5) pol in Mar (flat).
Lady Morganna (IRE) 150-1 (10-2) Prominent, took keen hold, mistakes 1st and 2nd, lost place approaching 4th, soon behind, tailed off, last of 12, well behind Fire Fighter (11-0) at Warwick 2m 4yo mdn hdl (4) gs.
