tracked leader to after 3rd, remained handy, smooth headway on inside to lead 2 out, in command last, driven and stayed on well flat
took keen hold, tracked leader after 3rd, until ridden and weakened soon after 2 out
led, ridden and headed 2 out, held when went left last, kept on again flat
raced in 4th, weakened approaching 2 out, hit last 2
held up, smooth on bit approaching 2 out, unable to quicken soon after, one pace after
took keen hold in 5th, outpaced 5th, no chance after, hit 2 out
Lightning Strike has the highest BHA rating among those to have earned one but the Venetia Williams-trained gelding may struggle to follow up the narrow success of his latest start at Haydock under his penalty and preference is for the unexposed Nakai, with Openditch rated the pick of the remainder. The selection has progressed from winning two Irish point-to-points and making a creditable rules debut when a good second in a Fairyhouse bumper to running out the facile winner of a maiden hurdle at Chepstow in October. With plenty more to come from the six-year-old, he looks to have solid claims. Hills Of Aran is more experienced than most of these and does have some decent form to his name but may have to settle for minor honours. Kealshore Boy looked decent in bumpers and was there with every chance until falling at the last on his recent hurdles debut. Assuming that he is none the worse for that tumble, Howard Johnson's gelding has to be considered over a trip that should bring about improvement. The similarly lightly raced Openditch is another to consider but it is hard to get away from Nakai, who gets the vote.
Lightning Strike (GER) 5-4fav (11-0) Tracked leaders, led 2 out, all out, won at Haydock 2m lst nov hdl (1) gs in Nov beating Tazbar (11-0) by a nk, 7 ran.
Hills Of Aran 11-2fav (11-1) Held up in rear, smooth headway approaching 3 out, driven next, one pace approaching last, 3rd of 20, 9l behind Eden Linty (10-11) at Newbury 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gs in Nov.
Mount Oscar (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, led 4 out, left clear last, unchallenged, won at Kempton 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Nov beating Nom de Guerre (10-12) by 9l, 18 ran.
Kealshore Boy 4-6fav (10-12) Tracked leaders, ridden and outpaced 3 out, rallied to challenge and every chance when fell at the last in race won by Montana Slim (11-5) at Carlisle 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gs in Nov, 16 ran.
Nakai (FR) 8-11fav (11-0) Keen in rear, steady headway after 8th, led 2 out, jumped left, easily, won at Chepstow 3m mdn hdl (5) gs in Oct beating Gaora Lane (11-0) by 23l, 16 ran.
Talenti (IRE) 66-1 (11-0) Behind, mistake 4th, stayed on from 3 out, never reached challenging position, 6th of 14, 12l behind County Zen (11-0) at Ascot 2m hdl (2) gd in Nov.
Openditch (FR) 11-10fav (10-12) Held up, not fluent 1st, steady headway 4 out, led on bit approaching last, easily, won at Lingfield 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gf in Nov beating Kahrayn (10-12) by 3l, 9 ran.
Lysander's Quest (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Pulled hard towards rear, ridden and outpaced 3 out, stayed on well from last, went 2nd close home, 2nd of 11, 3/4l behind El Batal (10-7) at Fontwell 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gf in Nov.
