held up in 3rd, not fluent 1st, headway before 2 out, soon pressed leaders, outjumped by front pair 2 out, ridden and not fluent last, stayed on well run-in to lead closing stages
led, not fluent 2nd, headed 2 out, kept on until no extra run-in
tracked leader, led 2 out and pushed along, ridden and ran on run-in, headed closing stages
Unbeaten in points and bumpers, WILLMOUNT won in a hack canter at Newbury on his hurdling debut. He didn’t have much to beat but is held in high regard. Booster Bob is 2-2 over timber and won’t go down without a fight being proven on testing going. Helnwein beat a subsequent winner at Warwick and Choose A Copper landed the odds at Hexham, though has more on his plate here.
Booster Bob (IRE) 4-6fav (11-7) Chased leaders, headway before 2 out, eased into lead before last, cantered clear run-in, very easily, won at Uttoxeter 2m (4) hvy in Nov beating Crimson Ruby (10-7) by 18l, 8 ran.
Choose A Copper (IRE) 2-5fav (11-2) Made all, pushed along and faced challenge after 2 out, jumped well last and asserted run-in, comfortably, won at Hexham 2m (4) sft in Oct beating All Ways And Ever (10-8) by 3 1/2l, 10 ran.
Helnwein (IRE) 10-11fav (11-0) Front mid-division, went 4th home turn, pushed along and led before 2 out, soon ridden, not fluent last, kept on, always doing enough, won at Warwick 2m (4) sft in Nov beating Toonagh Warrior (11-0) by 1 3/4l, 17 ran.
Willmount 1-3fav (11-0) Tracked leaders, led 2nd, good jump 3 out and steadily forged away, well ahead travelling strongly 2 out, went further clear run-in, impressive, won at Newbury 2m (3) gs in Nov beating Beny Nahar Road (11-0) by 13l, 13 ran.
