tracked leaders out wide, going well when brushed 3 out, pushed along before next, went 2nd 2 out, led between last two, ridden and headed approaching last, rallied gamely to lead again final 110 yards
held up in 5th, headway tracking leaders before 2 out, led 2 out, ridden and headed between last two, weakened approaching last
bit keen tracking leaders on inside, travelling well before 2 out, plugging on when hit the last, weakened run-in
mistake 1st, held up in last trio, hung badly right and beaten before 2 out
held up in rear, good headway out wide approaching 2 out, led approaching and hit last, ridden and headed final 110 yards, plugged on
led and soon clear, dived at 3rd and reduced lead, headed 2 out, ridden hung badly right and weakened soon after
reluctant lining up but well enough away, held up in last trio, steady headway approaching 2 out, went 3rd last, no chance with leading duo
chased leader who soon went clear, closer at 3rd, pushed along before 2 out, lost 2nd soon after, ridden and weakened between last two
RAYMOND TUSK, a useful stayer on the Flat, has only run three times over hurdles. He handles give in the ground and is not highly tried on his handicap debut over timber. Order Of St John only won a Leicester maiden last month and Galahad Threepwood may struggle to reverse Cheltenham running with the progressive Mothill but Hugos New Horse is a potential fly in the ointment after easily landing the odds at Wincanton on just his second start over timber.
Hugos New Horse (FR) 2-7fav (11-0) Led, headed 3 out, rejoined leader approaching 2 out and made sustained challenge, not fluent final flight, kept on well flat, asserted close home, won at Wincanton 1m 7f (3) gf in Nov beating Trolley Boy (11-6) by 1 1/4l, 4 ran.
Mothill (IRE) 10-1 (11-7) Raced on inside, led until before 2nd, chased leaders, went 2nd again turning in, chance when untidy at the last, lost 2nd and weakened run-in, 4th of 19, 5 1/4l behind Contrapposto (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Raymond Tusk (IRE) 20-1 (9-2) Never challenged, 4th of 5, 6 3/4l behind Addeybb (9-2) at ParisLongchamp 1m 3f Grp 2 stks hvy in Oct.
Sadler's Bay 4-1 (11-0) Raced keenly, tracked winner until before 2nd, chased leading pair, went 2nd again before 3 out until next, stayed on same pace in 3rd, 3rd of 8, 6 1/2l behind Kingofthewest (11-7) at Exeter 2m 1f (4) sft in Feb.
Galahad Threepwood 12-1 (10-12) Chased leaders out wide, not fluent 2nd, mistake 2 out, weakened run-in, 5th of 19, 7 1/2l behind Contrapposto (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Order Of St John 6-5fav (11-4) Made all, ridden after 2 out, hard pressed close home, just clung on, won at Leicester 2m mdn (4) gf in Nov beating The Geordie Ginge (11-4) by ns, 4 ran.
Alioski 40-1 (10-4) Off the pace in last pair, not fluent 4th, went badly right 3 out, hit last, passed a few late on, never a threat, 9th of 19, 19 1/2l behind Contrapposto (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Universal Secret (IRE) 40-1 (10-4) Led at modest pace, shaken up and headed approaching 2 out, soon ridden and not fluent last, faded, 5th of 6, 12 3/4l behind Dream In The Park (11-6) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp (4) gd in Oct.
