tracked leaders on inside, not fluent 3rd, outpaced soon after 3 out, weakened soon after
raced keenly, tracked leader, led after 4th until 2 out, chased winner, edged left between last 2, still every chance last, held run-in
chased leaders, ridden before 4 out, driven along in 4th after next, weakened soon after
always behind, never a factor, tailed off
chased leaders out wide, outpaced 3 out, weakened and no chance after
held up in last trio, ridden and beaten after 3 out, never a factor
chased leaders on inside, blundered 2nd, travelling well after 3 out, led and hit 2 out, ridden and strongly pressed last, kept on well run-in
last pair, closer 2 out, plugged on run-in
led until after 4th, chased leader and every chance approaching 2 out, no extra in 3rd between last 2
HOOPER finished a long way in front of the rest when beaten only a neck at Market Rasen on his hurdling bow. He can go one better in this for Nicky Henderson’s in-form yard. Le Boulevardier finished along way behind the selection but Found On was still in contention when taking a heavy fall at Cheltenham and can figure. Wargrave was still beaten a distance when runner-up at Exeter on his debut in this code while Castledhem finished third in a bumper at Lingfield on his first outing after wind surgery and could go well hurdling for the first time.
Castledhem (IRE) 13-2 (10-12) Chased leaders, went 2nd over 3f out, ridden and every chance throughout final furlong until towards finish, kept on, 3rd of 12, nk behind Hawa Bladi (10-12) at Lingfield 2m mdn (5) pol in Oct.
Hooper 5-6fav (10-12) Prominent, took keen hold, headway to lead before 2 out, ridden and headed on run-in, kept on, 2nd of 7, nk behind Copperless (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 1f mdn (4) gd in Oct.
Le Boulevardier 9-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, jumped left at 3rd, ridden and weakened before 2 out, 4th of 7, 23l behind Copperless (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 1f mdn (4) gd in Oct.
Run After Genesis (IRE) 4-1jfav (9-11) Held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on towards finish, 4th of 14, 3 1/4l behind Jack Ryan (9-5) at Yarmouth 7f hcp (6) hvy in Oct.
Thinque Tank 66-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, ridden and lost place after 3 out, soon weakened, 8th of 11, dist behind Benson (11-6) at Hereford 2m (4) gs in Nov.
Tigray (USA) 50-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, went right, bumped and pecked 1st, soon lost place, slow 4th, behind next, 14th of 15, dist behind Prince Escalus (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m (4) gd in Oct.
Wargrave (IRE) 7-1 (11-0) Led after 1st, headed before 3 out, beaten when left 2nd and not fluent 2 out, 2nd of 9, 23l behind Shantou Express (11-0) at Exeter 2m 1f mdn (4) gf in Oct.
Brooklyn Belle 150-1 (10-5) Rear of mid-division, headway after 6th, 4th 3 out, weakened 2 out, 8th of 10, dist behind Mackenberg (10-12) at Carlisle 2m 1f (4) gd in Oct.
Found On (IRE) 40-1 (10-7) In rear, headway into midfield 4th, close up 3 out, in contention when fell 2 out, at Cheltenham 2m mdn (3) gd in Oct.
