led, pushed and headed after 2 out, 2nd jumping last, lost two places late on
close-up, restrained to midfield jumping 3rd, awkward 2 out and pushed, kept on one pace
midfield, jumped right 1st, hesitant 2nd, awkward 3rd, progress to track leaders jumping 2 out, outpaced and ridden after 2 out, stayed on well to snatch 2nd close home
towards rear, midfield when hit 5th, awkward 4 out and pushed, well beaten jumping 3 out, pulled up before last
slightly better than mid-division, hit 1st, briefly pushed after 5th, outpaced and ridden after 2 out, kept on well
in rear, pushed before 3 out, never a factor
towards rear, jumped big 1st, awkward 5th and pushed, well behind jumping 4 out, tailed off, never travelling
towards rear, progress to midfield when nudged after 3 out, awkward 2 out and ridden, minor late headway
close-up, slow 3rd, awkward 4 out, weakened before ridden after 2 out, eased when beaten
slightly worse than mid-division, pushed after 3 out, ridden after 2 out, could never get involved
tracked leader, hit front travelling strongly after 2 out, nudged to easily go clear, eased down
slightly better than mid-division, hit 2nd, pushed before 4 out, ridden before 3 out where slow, soon tailed off
Hawk Wind will have learned plenty from his fourth at Fakenham but has plenty of improving to do. Witness Protection was second when making his hurdling debut at Ayr but that was more than a year ago. Dual points winner Movethechains makes his debut under Rules while Fantastikas tackles hurdles for the first time having placed twice in bumpers. PRINCE ESCALUS made all at Huntingdon and, despite taking a fierce hold, won in a canter against better opposition than this – he’ll be a short price to follow up under a penalty.
Prince Escalus (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Made all, clear from 2 out, easily, won at Huntingdon 2m (4) gd in Oct beating Perfect Myth (11-3) by 6 1/2l, 15 ran.
Animal (IRE) 20-1 (11-4) Midfield, headway under pressure before home turn, one pace straight, 8th of 14, 20l behind I Am Maximus (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m (2) sft in Oct.
Fantastikas (FR) 3-1 (11-4) Prominent, led over 2f out, headed over 1f out, kept on well, 2nd of 8, 3 1/2l behind Martello Sky (10-1) at Fakenham 2m mdn (5) sft in Feb.
Hawk Wind (IRE) 14-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, flattened 3rd, tailed off 3 out, made some late headway, 4th of 10, 31 1/2l behind Cormier (11-4) at Fakenham 2m (4) gd in Oct.
Master Templar (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Just better than midfield, took a keen hold, pushed along before 3 out, beaten 2 out, one pace, 4th of 12, 14 3/4l behind Third Time Lucki (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m (4) gs in Oct.
Mawlood (IRE) 80-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, 8th when mistake 2 out, no impression, 6th of 11, dist behind When You're Ready (10-12) at Stratford 2m (3) gs in Oct.
Movethechains (IRE) 5-1 (12-2) Mid-div, 4th 1/2way, 2nd bef 2out, rdn bef last, 2l 2nd last, ko strongly & ld cl hm, won at Lingstown 3m sft in Mar beating Mr Mantilla (12-2) by hd, 7 ran.
New Moon (FR) 40-1 (10-12) Held up last, took keen hold, headway before 2 out, weakened before 2 out, last of 7, dist behind Copperless (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 1f mdn (4) gd in Oct.
Welsh Rarebit 150-1 (9-7) Always towards rear, 7th of 8, 29l behind Tao Te Ching (8-9) at Nottingham 1m 6f stks (4) sft in Oct.
White Turf (IRE) 80-1 (10-12) Mid-division, soon ridden and struggling when pulled up before 3 out, at Carlisle 2m 4f (4) gs in Oct.
Witness Protection (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) Led 3rd, ridden 2 out, headed towards finish, 2nd of 16, 1 1/4l behind Corrieben Reiver (10-12) at Ayr 2m (4) sft in Oct.
Simple Words (IRE) 80-1 (10-7) Mid-division, struggling 3rd, behind 5th, pulled up before 3 out, at Exeter 2m 1f mdn (4) gf in Oct.
