led and set decent pace, not fluent 2 out, driven between last two, headed before last, dropped to 3rd last, kept on same pace run-in
took keen hold, tracked leading pair, slight peck 2nd, chased leader soon after, lost 2nd after 5th, chased leaders, weakened quickly before 2 out, pulled up soon after
mid-division, headway into 4th before 3rd until mistake 4th, pushed along before next, mistake 3 out, weakened well before 2 out
held up towards rear, headway into 4th well before 2 out, driven before last, chased leader run-in, stayed on to lead final 100 yards, won going away
held up towards rear, headway chasing leading trio 4th, went 3rd well before 2 out, travelling well when hit 2 out, led before last, headed and no extra final 100 yards
held up and behind, hit 1st, pushed along and struggling after 3 out, never on terms, tailed off
took keen hold, tracked leading trio, chased leading pair on long run to 3rd, 2nd after 5th, every chance when not fluent last, weakened run-in
raced keenly, chased leader until after 2nd, soon lost place, weakened quickly after next, tailed off
held up and behind, pushed along in 6th before 2 out, never on terms
held up towards rear, some headway on wide outside when hit 3 out, weakened quickly before next,
Nicky Henderson is looking to continue his stranglehold on this race having won the last five renewals. He's represented by Caracci Apache, fourth in a bumper at Uttoxeter, and hurdling debutant and point-to-point winner Clean Sheet. But KING'S ODYSSEY looks the one to beat on his second at Southwell when finishing a street clear of the third and Evan Williams' charge is also getting weight from the penalised Aso. The latter won easily at Warwick last month and that looks stronger form than Fingers Crossed's victory at Leicester. Bumper winner Masterplan makes his hurdling bow and may prove best of the rest.
Aso (FR) 4-1 (10-12) Chased clear leader, closed approaching 4th, led 3 out, came clear before next, very easily, won at Warwick 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Nov beating Isaac Bell (10-12) by 15l, 18 ran.
Fingers Crossed (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Held up, headway 4th, challenged 2 out, led flat, driven out, won at Leicester 2m nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Nov beating Spice Fair (10-12) by 1l, 12 ran.
Bryden Boy (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, not fluent 5th, ridden after 6th, well behind from next, tailed off, 7th of 10, well behind Minella Present (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Oct.
Caracci Apache (IRE) 4-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders on inside, took keen hold, ridden 4f out, every chance over 2f out, no impression on winner final furlong, no extra towards finish, 4th of 9, 11l behind Jacks Last Hope (11-1) at Uttoxeter 2m NH flat (6) gd in Jun.
Clean Sheet (IRE) 11-2 (11-7) Mid div, 5th 1/2way, 8l 4th 5out & prog gng well bef 3out, ld aftr 2out & alw gng best thereafter, row, won at Dromahane 3m ire ptp sft in Mar '13 beating Kilcooley (11-7) by 4l, 10 ran.
He's A Bully (IRE) 11-2 (10-12) Sweating, held up in mid-division, mistake and weakened 5th, 13th of 18, well behind Aso (10-12) at Warwick 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
King's Odyssey (IRE) 6-4fav (10-12) Tracked leaders, 2nd 6th, led before last, headed and not quicken soon after last, 2nd of 14, 2l behind Some Plan (10-12) at Southwell 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Knockyoursocksoff (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) With winner until 5th, tracked leaders, ridden and weakened before 3 out, 9th of 10, well behind Seedling (11-5) at Plumpton 2m nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Nov.
Masterplan (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Took keen hold, tracked leader, every chance 2f out, beaten over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 8, 20l behind Definitly Red (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m Listed NH flat (1) sft in Nov.
Augusta Bay Oscar mare out of Penneyrose Bay.
