mid-division on outside, mistake 1st, ridden after 6th, mistake 3 out, soon weakened
pulled hard, jumped right 1st, tracked leader until 3rd, remained prominent, ridden and weakened after 3 out
mid-division, mistake 4th, hit 6th, went modest 4th after 3 out, no impression
held up towards rear, not fluent 2nd, ridden and struggling 3 out
tracked leaders, took keen hold, went 2nd 3rd, led after 3 out, not fluent next, clear last, ran on well, comfortably
mid-division, hit 4th, mistake 3 out, soon weakened
took keen hold in rear, pushed along 5th, mistake 3 out, always behind
held up in rear, took keen hold, not fluent 4th, mistake 3 out, shaken up to go 5th before 2 out, never dangerous
led, mistake 3 out, soon ridden and headed, weakened 2 out
tracked leaders, mistakes 6th and 3 out, chased winner approaching 2 out, no impression last, stayed on same pace
Tanto Faz may again have to settle for second as SOUTER POINT looks a good bet here, whilst Rushwee could prove best of the rest. Nicky Henderson's gelding was originally given a triumph hurdle entry but having struggled to get the horse to the track those ambitions have been shelved. Indeed, the horse didn't make his debut over timber until mid-February when he travelled supremely well before tiring on bottomless ground in a stronger race at Sandown. Connections had indicated he needs a better surface to be seen to his best and this son of Giant's Causeway, rated 85 on the level, looks well worth siding with now granted suitable conditions. Tanto Faz has been unfortunate to run into a couple of good one's so far, notably last time when behind Dan Breen. His refusal to settle hasn't helped matters so all eyes will be on him in the early stages, but even if he does consent to he'll still do well to beat our selection who was better on the flat. Rushwee is well regarded and should benefit for this ground, so he can perhaps take bronze despite the fact this is his last run before qualifying for a mark. He can prove too good on this occassion for hurdling debutant Phoenix Flight whose flat rating does offer connections hope, but this is a stiff introduction to the winter game. Master Fong has a bit to find with Tanto Faz on the ratings and that should be the case in this contest, as his improved effort last time may be down to the fact he was allowed free-reign in front. Bon Spiel could be a lively outsider judging on his flat rating but he wasn't at his best when last seen and this race is best left to Souter Point, who is expected to prove a cut above these.
Bon Spiel 16-1 (9-5) Held up towards rear, never near leaders, 11th of 15, 31l behind Fastnet Storm (8-10) at Nottingham 1m 2f hcp 0-95 (3) sft in Oct (flat).
Cockney Prince (IRE) 100-1 (11-1) Mid-division on outside, weakened approaching 2 out, 10th of 14, 33l behind Mille Chief (11-0) at Huntingdon 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Danzig Fox 200-1 (10-11) Soon detached in rear, never dangerous, last of 14, well behind Mille Chief (11-0) at Huntingdon 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Esprit De Fer (FR) Esprit Du Nord gelding out of Fernie.
Rushwee (IRE) 11-4 (11-2) Tracked leader, led 5th until next, weakened approaching 2 out, 6th of 12, 23l behind Great Reason (11-2) at Ludlow 2m NH mdn hdl (4) sft in Feb.
Tanto Faz (IRE) 3-1fav (11-3) In touch, raced keenly, chased winner when mistake 2 out, no impression when went left and not fluent last, 2nd of 15, 9l behind Dan Breen (11-3) at Doncaster 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Feb.
The Lemonpie (GER) 66-1 (11-2) Mistake 2nd, always behind, struggling soon after 4 out, 8th of 12, 34l behind Bellvano (11-12) at Newbury 2m nh nov hdl (3) gs in Feb.
Jack Rio (IRE) 80-1 (10-9) Took keen hold, held up in touch, pushed along and struggling after 3 out, last of 6, 32l behind Duke Of Lucca (11-12) at Taunton 2m 3f nh nov hdl (3) sft.
M'lady Eliza 150-1 (10-9) Held up in rear on outside, took keen hold, headway approaching 5th, lost place before next, soon behind, mistake 2 out, tailed off, 11th of 12, well behind Great Reason (11-2) at Ludlow 2m NH mdn hdl (4) sft in Feb.
Majestic Bull (USA) 66-1 (10-7) Held up, mid-division, weakened 3 out, 12th of 14, 49l behind Real Treasure (10-10) at Exeter 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gs in Feb.
Master Fong (IRE) 33-1 (10-9) Made most, headed 2 out, kept on from last, 3rd of 16, 2 3/4l behind Blue Nymph (10-5) at Doncaster 2m 4yo nov hdl (3) gs in Jan.
Souter Point (USA) 5-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway to 4th after 3 out, tracked leading pair before 2 out, pressed leaders before last, weakened flat, 4th of 10, 9l behind Open Day (11-4) at Sandown 2m 4yo nov hdl (3) hvy in Feb.
Haarth Sovereign (IRE) 28-1 (11-3) Mid-division, headway approaching 5th, hit 3 out, led before 2 out, headed flat, not quicken, 2nd of 12, 1 1/4l behind Whistlejacquet (11-3) at Taunton 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Feb.
Phoenix Flight (IRE) 22-1 (9-6) In rear, never dangerous, 11th of 15, 24l behind Aaim To Prosper (9-8) at Newmarket 2m hcp 0-90 (3) gd in Oct (flat).
