prominent, keen, led after 2nd, headed before 2 out, weakened approaching last
tracked leaders, 2nd approaching 5 out, not fluent next, led before 2 out, drew clear last, easily
chased leaders, effort 2 out, soon hung left, stayed on into 2nd approaching last, no chance with easy winner
tracked leaders, lost place approaching 5 out, soon beaten
held up in rear, pushed along 4th, soon struggling, tailed off when pulled up after 3 out
led, slow 1st, headed after next, lost place 5 out, weakened after next
NonRunner
Bumper winner STONEY MOUNTAIN won a maiden hurdle at Aintree under Richard Johnson in October and missed out by only a head in a tougher contest than this at Ascot last time. Henry Daly's charge can defy a penalty in this company on that showing. Seemingly So won at Market Rasen on his hurdling bow and with a conditional's allowance reducing his penalty, he looks the main threat to the selection. The remainder have yet to show any worthwhile form over timber with Golden Whisky and Saturdaynightfever preferred expected to improve for recent comeback runs.
Seemingly So (IRE) 4-1 (10-12) Tracked clear leading pair, smooth headway and closed to lead narrowly 2 out, pushed clear run-in, eased towards finish, won at Market Rasen 2m 3f (4) gd in Nov beating Earlofthecotswolds (10-12) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
Stoney Mountain (IRE) 15-8fav (11-3) Tracked leaders in 4th, closer in 3rd before 4 out, 2nd next, led narrowly 2 out, driven before last, hung left run-in, narrowly headed and rallied towards finish, 2nd of 7, hd behind Doux Pretender (11-3) at Ascot 2m 6f (2) gd in Nov.
Golden Whisky (IRE) 7-2 (10-12) Tracked leaders, lost place before 2 out, 5th of 12, 24 3/4l behind Zanza (10-12) at Chepstow 2m (4) sft in Nov.
Invisible Clouds (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Tracked leader until 3rd, blundered and lost place 4 out, well beaten next, 5th of 6, dist behind Quoi De Neuf (10-12) at Aintree 2m 4f (4) gd in Nov.
Mid Day Gun (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) In rear, ridden 4th, struggling from 4 out, tailed off, 13th of 15, dist behind Shantaluze (11-5) at Bangor 2m 1f (4) sft in Dec.
Newlands Cross (IRE) 100-1 (11-0) Towards rear, struggling before 7th, tailed off, 13th of 17, dist behind Nestor Park (11-0) at Warwick 2m 5f mdn (4) gs in Nov.
Saturdaynightfever 11-4 (10-12) Mid-division, closer in 4th place at 7th, plugged on into remote 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 11, dist behind Getaway Trump (10-12) at Plumpton 2m 5f (4) gd in Nov.
Hill Of Keash (IRE) 50-1 (11-12) Raced in 3rd under keen hold, not fluent 4 out and soon pushed along, no impression from next and dropped to 5th from 2 out, 5th of 6, dist behind First Approach (11-12) at Down Royal 2m 6f mdn gd in Nov.