took keen hold, tracked leaders in 4th, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out
held up well in rear, stayed on from 2 out but never reached leaders
prominent, went 2nd 3rd, upsides driven and dropped to 4th approaching 2 out, blundered last, ran on and closed flat as winner idled, went 2nd near finish
led, hit 3rd, headed 2 out, chased leadr to last, ran on as winner, idled flat, lost 2nd near finish
took keen hold, tracked leader to 3rd, stayed prominent, led 2 out headed last, weakened flat
held up in 5th, steady headway on inside approaching 2 out, led last, idled and hung left flat, held on
Huckster gets the confident vote in the finale with Hegarty and Danse Macabre put forward as the main dangers. The selection won well on only his second start over hurdles when defeating Fuel Cell last time, and although that form has not been franked, he is still difficult to oppose under his optimum conditions. Hegarty rates the main danger on his best form of last season and although he was very disappointing on his seasonal bow he is sure to strip fitter today and his yard are in better form now. Danse Macabre is game and consistent and is sure to run his race but he has had plenty of chances off this type of mark in the past without taking one. Xamborough hails from a yard in form but has been tried over a variety of trips without success. We are therefore happy to stick with Huckster as our idea of the winner.
Huckster (ZIM) 14-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, headway to lead approaching 3 out, driven clear after next, ridden flat, held on towards finish, won at Doncaster 2m nov hdl (D) gs in Dec beating Fuel Cell (11-0) by 1l, 17 ran.
Hegarty (IRE) 10-1 (11-5) Tracked leader until lost place 4 out, 6th of 7, 47l behind Flake (10-6) at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft.
Visibility (FR) 40-1 (11-0) Mid-division, ridden 6th, soon weakened, 7th of 11, 38l behind Nippy Des Mottes (11-5) at Taunton 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Jan.
Sir Brastias 25-1 (10-11) Mid-division, ridden and headway approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out, 7th of 15, 10l behind Go For Bust (11-7) at Ludlow 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Jan.
Xamborough (FR) 16-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, hit 4th, ridden 2 out, not quicken towards finish, 4th of 17, 2l behind Speed Venture (10-2) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd.
Danse Macabre (IRE) 8-1 (11-2) Always towards rear, tailed off when blundered last, 9th of 16, well behind Titian Flame (10-4) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) hvy in Jan.
