soon led, joined after 3 out, ridden and headed before next, no chance with front pair between last 2
tracked leaders, lost place 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up after next
prominent, lost place 3 out, outpaced next, no impression before 2 out, plugged on to take modest 4th flat
mid-division, lost place and behind from 4th, soon struggling, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
behind, headway into mid-division after 3rd, never reached leaders, weakened 3 out, tailed off
mid-division on inside, tracked leaders after 3rd, went 2nd 2 out, soon ridden to challenge, led last, edged right closing stages, kept on
towards rear, struggling 6th, kept on under pressure from 2 out, never nearer
always behind, strugglng 6th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
tracked leaders, went 2nd before 4 out, challenged after next, led before 2 out, soon ridden and hard pressed, headed when mistake last, kept on, held towards finish
prominent, not fluent 2nd, driven and one pace after 3 out, no impression from next
mid-division, outpaced 3 out, weakened next, tailed off
Nonrunner
Gold Chain ran well for third in a higher grade at Perth in September and can race off the same mark here. All For The Best was second at Catterick last month and the third-placed horse has subsequently won. The latter can figure on that form but STILO BLUE NATIVE (NAP) is fancied to shrug off a 5lb rise for winning over these hurdles last month given he was placed off much higher marks last season. Hag Stone has won a novice hurdle at Southwell while Mr Snoozy and Western Breeze have a shout off their current marks if back to their best.
Bruce Almighty (IRE) 10-1 (11-1) Mid-division, struggling 6th, well behind when pulled up before last, at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Hag Stone 12-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, went left and awkward 5th, headway on outside approaching 2 out, went 4th between last 2, driven and one pace run-in, 4th of 12, 9 1/2l behind Limited Reserve (10-5) at Sandown 2m hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Big Water (IRE) 7-2 (11-12) Tracked leaders, pushed along after 3 out, weakened before next, tailed off, 4th of 5, dist behind Hey Bill (11-4) at Southwell 3m hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Un Guet Apens (FR) 10-1 (11-10) Chased winner from 3rd, reminder after 10th, lost place before 4 out, soon ridden, weakened 2 out, 5th of 7, 16 1/4l behind Montoya's Son (11-1) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Mar.
Adrakhan (FR) 12-1 (9-2) Always behind, outpaced 3f out, 11th of 14, 23 1/4l behind Shan Dun Na Ngall (9-5) at Newcastle 2m hcp (6) pol in Dec.
All For The Best (IRE) 11-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders on inside, not clear run before being left 2nd 2 out, no impression on winner last, stayed on, 2nd of 10, 5l behind Italian Riviera (11-7) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Gold Chain (IRE) 12-1 (10-0) Mid-division, headway after 3 out, every chance 2 out, 3rd and beaten from last, kept on, 3rd of 10, 3l behind Mango Cap (10-3) at Perth 3m hcp (3) gs in Sep.
Western Breeze (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Mid-division, lost place after 3 out (usual 4 out), soon weakened, behind when pulled up before omitted 3 out, at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Mr Snoozy 5-1 (11-9) Led, hit 3 out, ridden and headed approaching next, not fluent last, kept on same pace, 4th of 9, 6 3/4l behind Chic Theatre (11-12) at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Stilo Blue Native (IRE) 4-1 (11-8) With leader, led before 2 out, headed before last, soon ridden, rallied to regain lead towards finish, won at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp (4) sft in Nov beating Greyed A (11-12) by nk, 9 ran.
Politbureau 40-1 (11-9) Towards rear, ridden after 3 out, never dangerous, pulled up, at Catterick 3m 1f hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Bank Bonus 13-2 (11-11) Raced wide in touch, ridden and headway soon after 3 out, no impression from next, 4th of 8, 17 3/4l behind Perseid (11-3) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp (4) gs in Dec.
