made all, driven clear after 2 out, comfortably
slowly away, soon in touch, under pressure 6th, tailed off next
chased leaders, went 2nd approaching 6th, driven to challenge 2 out, soon one pace
chased leaders, ridden 4th, struggling 6th, soon weakened
pulled hard tracking leaders, lost place 6th, soon behind, moderate 4th
held up in rear, headway 5th, chased leaders 7th, weakened 3 out, moderate 3rd
MUSH MIR won three times on the Flat at this track and has taken well to hurdling since joining Nicky Henderson winning his first two starts. A 7lb conditional reduces his winners' penalty incurred for hacking up at Fakenham last time and he's fancied to care of recent Worcester runner-up Knockalongi. The latter looks the biggest threat as Monroe Park has plenty to find with the selection and winning pointer Young Jim makes his debut under Rules. The remaining pair have shown little to recommend them so far.
Mush Mir (IRE) 8-13fav (11-5) Relucant leader, made all, drew clear from 2 out, unchallenged, won at Fakenham 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Oct beating Russian Flag (10-9) by 23l, 5 ran.
Monroe Park (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Keen close up, ridden 11th, weakened 4 out, behind from next, tailed off, just held on to remote 3rd, 3rd of 5, well behind Mush Mir (11-5) at Fakenham 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Knockalongi 2-1fav (11-0) Tracked leaders, mistake 5th, challenged 3 out, not fluent 2 out, stayed on same pace final 100 yards, 2nd of 13, 2 3/4l behind So Fine (11-0) at Worcester 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gd in Oct.
Open Country (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, pushed along after 4th, not fluent next, some headway 6th, weakened next, last of 8, well behind Paddy The Hare (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gf in Oct.
Pensnett Bay 80-1 (10-6) Held up towards rear, well behind from 7th, tailed off, 11th of 14, well behind Dancing Dude (10-9) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gd in Apr.
Young Jim (IRE) 7-4 (12-0) Alw pr, went on 3out, ko best, won at Toomebridge 3m ire ptp gd in May beating Seaofemotion (12-0) by 4l, 14 ran.