veered left as tapes rose, raced on inside, made all, soon clear, reduced lead after 4th, went over 2 lengths clear again before the last, stayed on strongly, unchallenged
prominent in chasing group on inside, went 2nd after 4th, over 2 lengths down at the last, no extra run-in
off the pace towards rear, plugged on from after 3 out, never involved
reluctant lining up and led in start, raced keenly chasing leaders, sprawled badly on landing and fell 4th
off the pace towards rear, jumped slowly 5th, never on terms, tailed off
off the pace in mid-division, reminders after 4th, weakened and jumped slowly 5th, behind and struggling 4 out, tailed off next
off the pace towards rear, never involved
off the pace and always towards rear
off the pace mid-division, went prominent in chasing group 4 out, weakened quickly next
off the pace and towards rear, went prominent in chasing group after 3 out, soon pushed along, weakened home turn
held up off the pace in mid-division, went prominent in chasing group 4 out, pushed along in well held 3rd after 3 out, lost that placing 2 out, no extra in 4th
mostly chased winner until after 4th, prominent in chasing group, ridden before 2 out, went 3rd 2 out, stayed on same pace, no chance with leading duo, hit last
held up off the pace towards rear, steady headway on inside before 4 out, plugging on in modest 5th when fell 2 out
prominent in chasing group, weakened before 4 out
Brentford Hope, a three-times winner up to 1m2f on the Flat, was a shade keen on his hurdling debut at Ludlow but still finished second. However, it would be no surprise if Harry Cobden adopted forcing tactics again on RUBAUD. The French import made all when landing the odds over track and trip four weeks ago and he’ll expose any stamina doubts in his likely market rival. Invincible De Mee only placed once in seven bumper starts in France and is best watched having a first start for Tim Vaughan. Flat winner Sassified may be best of the rest.
Rubaud (FR) 1-2fav (11-4) Made all, ridden and ran on, eased flat, comfortable, won at Taunton 2m mdn (4) gd in Nov beating Dancing Harry (11-4) by 8l, 7 ran.
Brentford Hope 2-1 (11-4) Took keen hold, chased leaders, went 2nd from 3 out, not fluent 2 out, no impression from last, 2nd of 12, 6l behind Western Zephyr (11-4) at Ludlow 2m mdn (4) gs in Nov.
Clay 40-1 (11-0) Always in rear, detached before 3 out, tailed off, 13th of 15, dist behind Doyen Star (11-0) at Chepstow 2m (4) gs in Nov.
Gun Runner Cash (IRE) 80-1 (11-4) Led and soon clear, reduced lead 4th, soon headed and dropped away, tailed off, last of 6, dist behind L'astroboy (11-4) at Ffos Las 2m mdn (4) sft in Nov.
Instant Gambler (IRE) 125-1 (11-0) In rear, not fluent 1st, well behind from 6th, tailed off, 8th of 10, dist behind American Sniper (11-7) at Taunton 2m (4) gd in Nov.
Invincible De Mee (FR) (10-1) 3rd of 9, 3l behind at Brehal 1m 6f mdn in Aug.
Let It Shine 33-1 (11-6) Towards rear, pushed after 3 out, some headway before ridden after 2 out, kept on one pace, 6th of 10, 19 3/4l behind Despereaux (10-4) at Huntingdon 2m mdn (4) gd in Nov.
Little Pi (FR) 33-1 (11-1) Towards rear, always behind, 9th of 11, dist behind Lump Sum (11-1) at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 1f mdn (4) gs in Oct.
Russies Dream 66-1 (11-0) Raced in mid-division, ridden 3f out, no headway, finished tailed off, 13th of 15, dist behind Libberty Hunter (11-7) at Chepstow 2m (5) gs in Dec.
Sailed Away (GER) 80-1 (11-0) Took keen hold in rear, headway under pressure before 3 out, ran on the one pace, 11th of 17, 28 1/2l behind Always Busy (11-0) at Warwick 2m (4) sft in Nov.
Sassified (IRE) 10-1 (11-4) Chased leaders on inside, 3rd and beaten 2 out, weakened last, 6th of 11, 32 1/2l behind Chasing Fire (11-4) at Market Rasen 2m 1f mdn (4) gs in Nov.
The Rain King (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Towards rear, pushed along before 3 out, one paced from over 2 out, 8th of 15, 28 3/4l behind Doyen Star (11-0) at Chepstow 2m (4) gs in Nov.
Nous Esperons 66-1 (10-13) Rear of mid-division, pushed along and weakened 3 out, 12th of 14, dist behind Lutinebella (11-0) at Exeter 2m 3f (4) gd in Nov.
Shee's A Stella 200-1 (10-10) In rear, struggling before 4 out, pulled up, at Chepstow 2m 3f mdn (4) gs in Nov.
