held up in rear, effort 6th, ridden 3 out, soon hung left and weakened, tailed off
led until pulled up before 4th, dismounted
prominent, led approaching 5th, came clear after 3 out, easily
mid-division, headway 4th, chased winner after 6th until approaching 2 out, weakened before last
prominent, ridden and weakened after 5th, tailed off
always behind, tailed off
pulled hard in touch, left in lead approaching 4th, headed before next, weakened after 3 out, tailed off
held up in mid-divsion, headway 4th, no impression when chased winner approaching 2 out until last, one pace
mid-divsion, headway approaching 3 out, chased winner last, no chance
DARK LOVER will be expected to take all the beating on his hurdling bow having shaped well on both starts in bumpers; his top yard took this prize with an odds-on shot two seasons ago and it would be no surprise to see this half-brother to winners in Germany returned at a similar price. Ben Chorley was a decent sort on the level and may well improve on the form of his hurdling bow at Aintree whilst Aine's Delight is entitled to have learnt from the experience of her debut at Worcester. Reefer Beefer has shown a modicum of ability, Attainable may appreciate a better surface than she encountered at Uttoxeter whilst Madame Jasmine can progress from her debut over hurdles at Stratford but this should go to Dark Lover barring accidents.
Art Value 17-2 (9-11) Held up in rear, headway after 4th, ridden 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 6th of 9, 28l behind Lean Burn (9-9) at Stratford 2m ldys hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Oct.
Ben Chorley 11-1 (11-0) Raced keenly, mid-division, blundered 4th, outpaced before 3 out, never near leaders, 10th of 16, well behind Ballybriggan (11-0) at Aintree 2m mdn hdl (3) gs in Oct.
Dark Lover (GER) 2-1fav (11-0) Took keen hold, soon held up in touch on inside, headway over 2f out, chasing leaders and every chance over 1f out, edged left and not pace of winner inside final furlong, 2nd of 8, 2 1/2l behind Lets Get Serious (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m NH flat (4) gd in Oct.
Fun Guy 100-1 (10-11) Led and clear with one rival to halfway, headed over 3f out, soon ridden, kept on until weakened 1f out, 10th of 14, 44l behind Sprinter Sacre (10-9) at Ascot 2m NH flat (3) gs in Feb.
Kilshanna (IRE) 50-1 (11-12) Rear of mid-division for most, never a factor, 20th of 22, well behind Seafield (11-12) at Punchestown 2m mdn hdl in Oct.
Reefer Beefer (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, pushed along 2nd, never a danger, 6th of 10, 44l behind Dare Me (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Aine's Delight (IRE) 28-1 (10-10) Mid-division, took keen hold, mistake 2nd, headway next, ridden 3 out, soon edged left, weakened last, 5th of 14, 23l behind Sparky May (10-5) at Worcester 2m mrs nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Attainable 100-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, ridden after 6th, weakened approaching 3 out, 11th of 15, well behind L'accordioniste (11-4) at Uttoxeter 2m Mares Maiden Hurdle (3yo+) (5) hvy in Oct.
Madame Jasmine 40-1 (10-5) Mid-division, took keen hold, mistake 5th, no impression, 9th of 15, 32l behind Owen Glendower (11-4) at Stratford 2m NH nov hdl 4-6yo (3) gs in Oct.
