held up in rear, headway 4th, not fluent 6th, outpaced 7th, weakened before normal 2 out, went 3rd on extended run-in
tracked leaders, close up when not fluent 7th, led and edged left approaching 2 out, soon headed, given chance by errant winner towards finish, just held
held up in rear, took keen hold, headway after 7th, went 2nd before not fluent at normal 2 out (actual last), soon led, edged right after omitted last, in command when swerved badly left towards finish, held on
took keen hold, prominent, led before 7th, ridden and headed approaching normal 2 out (actual last), soon weakened, tailed off
prominent, jumped slowly 3rd, ridden and lost place next, behind 7th, tailed off
in touch, not fluent 3rd, ridden and weakened before normal 2 out (actual last), tailed off
held up in touch, not fluent 3rd, went 3rd after 7th, weakened normal 2 out (actual last), dropped to 4th on extended run-in
led, mistake 2nd, headed before 7th, soon weakened, tailed off
mid-division on outside, closed 3rd, lost place 5th, well behind 7th, tailed off
PERCEUS is the only juvenile hurdler in the line-up but is pretty unexposed despite being the only one to give Triumph Hurdle - bound Sceau Royal a race at Huntingdon last time with the rest easily accounted for. Interestingly James Eustace has chosen to come here rather than run in the opener and hopefully that decision will prove the right one. Bon Enfant, also unexposed under Rules with a 3-4 record, demands plenty of respect as he should improve again now moving into handicap company whilst the market should guide to the chances of Birch Hill off topweight on this return to action. Arquebuster is an improved sort this term but is now 22lb higher than when scoring at Fontwell in November and Pinnacle Panda could prove better shortlist material.
Birch Hill (IRE) 10-3 (11-7) Held up towards rear and keen, headway 2 out, one pace and no impression, 6th of 7, 8l behind Shanroe Santos (11-7) at Musselburgh 3m (2) gd in Feb.
Bon Enfant (FR) 1-4fav (10-12) Made all, strongly challenged from 3 out, ridden approaching last, stayed on well closing stages (2 fences omitted), won at Wetherby 2m 5f (4) sft in Dec beating Dakota Grey (10-12) by 1 1/4l, 5 ran.
Pinnacle Panda (IRE) 9-2 (11-0) Held up in touch in mid-division, closed before 3 out, went 2nd approaching next, led and edged right last, bumped when rival trying to squeeze through against false rail flat, stayed on, won at Uttoxeter 2m mdn (4) hvy in Dec beating Authorized Too (11-0) by 1/2l, 12 ran.
Tara Bridge 11-2 (10-11) Mid-division, under pressure 4 out, soon beaten, 8th of 10, 35 3/4l behind Mr Fitzroy (10-1) at Kempton 2m hcp (3) sft in Jan.
Manhattan Mead 9-1 (11-2) Led or disputed lead on inside, cajoled along from 2nd, lost place 6th, behind from 3 out (usual 4 out), rallied before last (usual 2 out), stayed on to take moderate 3rd on extended flat, no chance with front pair, 3rd of 6, 30l behind Minella Charmer (11-2) at Plumpton 2m 5f (3) hvy in Jan.
Coup De Grace (IRE) 11-1 (9-8) Raced wide close up, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out, 8th of 10, 11 3/4l behind Haines (9-13) at Kempton 2m hcp (5) pol in Jan.
Perceus 4-1 (10-12) Led, jumped big and slow 1st, ridden and headed after 2 out, no impression on winner, one pace, 2nd of 5, 7l behind Sceau Royal (11-6) at Huntingdon 2m (2) sft in Jan.
Arquebusier (FR) 10-1 (11-6) Prominent, led 4th, headed before 2 out, no impression on winner, one pace, 2nd of 10, 8l behind Eminent Poet (11-11) at Towcester 2m hcp (4) hvy in Jan.
Bolister (FR) 33-1 (11-4) Mid-division, headway approaching 6th, 3rd and no impression from 3 out, well held by front pair before next, 3rd of 9, 25l behind Sunshine Corner (11-3) at Plumpton 2m (4) hvy in Jan.
