led, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, kept on, no chance with winner from last
hit 1st, prominent, ridden when hampered 2 out, weakened
always mid-division
held up, headway after 3 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace from next
chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, weakened after next
always behind
in touch, ridden after 3 out, stayed on
mid-division, ridden after 6th, weakened quickly after 3 out, pulled up before next
in rear from 3rd
in touch, headway after 3 out, led and blundered next, clear last, eased
held up towards rear, headway after 3 out, soon ridden, stayed on
in touch, ridden after 6th, weakened after 3 out
took keen hold, tracking leaders, weakened after 3 out
mid-division, struggling after 6th, stayed on approaching last
held up towards rear, stayed on from 2 out, never troubled leaders
Asudo gets the nod in the finale, while Or Juane and Young Dancer also make the shortlist in a competitive end to the card. The last named returned from a long lay off to post an encouraging effort at Exeter last month. He subsequently better that performance with a smooth win at Uttoxeter and will be a potent threat if this faster surface doesn't blunt his challenge. Or Juane is unexposed and on an obvious upward curve. He dropped a significant hint that he has more to offer when scooting up in a maiden hurdle last time and has to be respected an improver. However, this is a stiffer test and he has a bit more to find. Therefore, we turn to Asudo, who represents good value back over this trip and, as his form with Leading Contender is working out well, the Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained gelding is a solid option to round off the action on a high note.
Asudo (IRE) 3-1jt-fav (11-7) Tracked leaders and keen, weakened 3 out, 9th of 15, 49l behind Before Dark (11-0) at Hereford 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Dec.
Greenhill Bramble (IRE) 2-1jt-fav (10-9) Chased leader, led on bit approaching 3 out, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, no extra, 5th of 14, 10l behind Here's Johnny (11-5) at Exeter 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Spear Thistle 20-1 (11-5) Never better than mid-division, 9th of 16, well behind Amaretto Rose (10-5) at Ascot 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Nicki Boy (GER) 8-1 (10-13) In touch, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, weakened soon after, 6th of 16, 19l behind Trompette (11-2) at Ludlow 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Jan.
Ordre de Bataille (FR) 7-1 (11-5) Held up, not fluent 3rd, headway 4 out, weakened after 3 out, 7th of 10, well behind Skippers Brig (11-5) at Haydock 2m 4f nov hdl (4) hvy in Dec.
Wotchalike (IRE) 40-1 (10-11) In rear and not jumped well, headway after 4 out, one pace, 7th of 16, 24l behind Trompette (11-2) at Ludlow 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Jan.
Young Dancer (IRE) 9-2 (11-2) Always prominent, led 6th, blundered last, stayed on under pressure flat, won at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) hvy in Jan beating Obaki de Grissay (11-10) by 3 1/2l, 12 ran.
Rebond (FR) (10-0) Prominent, weakened quickly from 2 out, 8th of 17, 36l behind Padisha Soy (10-7) at Auteuil 2m 2f hcp hdl in Nov.
Maree Hall (IRE) 9-1 (11-4) In touch, ridden and chased leader 3 out, weakened 2 out, 5th of 15, 18l behind Tarotino (11-4) at Wincanton 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Or Jaune (FR) 3-1 (11-6) Mid-division, headway 6th, led 2 out, clear last, ridden out, won at Fontwell 2m 2f mdn hdl (4) sft in Jan beating Lissara (11-3) by 8l, 10 ran.
Gala Evening 40-1 (11-3) Held up, headway 6th, went 2nd straight, no chance with winner, 2nd of 17, 11l behind Schuh Shine (11-2) at Hereford 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) hvy in Jan.
Hillcrest (NZ) 7-2 (10-13) Held up, headway approaching 7th, weakened approaching 3 out, 5th of 9, 45l behind Chickapeakray (11-9) at Haydock 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) hvy in Dec.
Gaelic Gift (IRE) 11-1 (10-9) Tracked leader, ridden to challenge approaching 3 out, weakened before next, 4th of 16, 33l behind La Dame Brune (10-10) at Huntingdon 2m 4f mrs nov hdl (3) gs in Dec.
Veverka 8-1 (10-10) Mid-division, ridden and headway approaching 3 out, kept on well from 2 out, 4th of 13, 9l behind Abragante (11-3) at Exeter 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Dec.
Lissara (IRE) 17-2 (11-3) Mid-division, headway approaching 6th, stayed on to go 2nd flat, 2nd of 10, 8l behind Or Jaune (11-6) at Fontwell 2m 2f mdn hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Khadija 40-1 (10-6) Chased leaders, hit 4th, ridden after 11th, one pace from next, 5th of 14, 19l behind Minella Tipperary (11-6) at Ascot 3m nov hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Dec.
Gondolin (IRE) 33-1 (9-12) Behind, ridden and headway 3 out, stayed on flat, not reach leaders, 4th of 11, 3 1/2l behind Stagecoach Opal (11-5) at Wetherby 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Dec.
