tracked leaders, went 2nd after 4th, led approaching 2 out, soon ridden, headed approaching last, not pace with winner
tracked leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, kept on same pace
tracked leaders, led soon after 2 out, ran on strongly, readily
mid-division, headway when mistake 5th, effort after 3 out, soon weakened
never better than mid-division
always mid-division
whipped round start, led, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, headway approaching 6th, ridden after 3 out, stayed on from next
mid-division, headway after 5th, ridden approaching 2 out, stayed on same pace
held up towards rear, headway after 3 out, ridden and hung right from next, stayed on without reaching leaders
In the absence of too form here, we'll side with top weight THUNDERING STAR to record successive victories, with the expected challengers being Clova Island and Humble Opinion. Paul Nicholls' gelding was a comfortable winner in a similar event over course and distance when making his hurdling debut following a short but profitable career on the flat in South Africa. The trainer said then he expects him to improve tons mentally it'll have done his confidence the power of good. Whether he can have as profitable second career over here remains to be seen, but initial prospects look promising. The lightly raced Clova Island showed improvement over hurdles last time out following a disappointing debut after previously winning a bumper in some style. Humble Opinion looks the pick of the two Alan King runners. Well down the field behind Thundering Star on hurdles debut, some improvement's to be expected. Triple Bluff's a course and distance winner recently, but he may be carrying too much weight this time. An intriguing looking contest, with our preference being for Thundering Star.
Thundering Star (SAF) 11-10fav (10-12) In touch, ridden and headway approaching 2 out, challenged bend after, led approaching last, driven out, won at Taunton 2m 1f nov hdl (3) gs in Nov beating Hot Diamond (10-12) by 4 1/2l, 11 ran.
Triple Bluff 16-1 (10-9) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace from next, 6th of 14, 8l behind I'm A Legend (11-4) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Nov.
Clova Island 25-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders, squeezed up and lost position on home bend, ridden after 2 out, stayed on well to take 2nd run-in, no chance with winner, 2nd of 17, 3l behind Somersby (10-12) at Kempton 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Dan Tucker 33-1 (10-9) Held up in rear, headway approaching 3 out, weakened before next, beaten when hit last, 7th of 12, 34l behind Postmaster (11-9) at Plumpton 2m nov hdl (4) sft.
Deep Squeeze (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, raced keenly, ridden 5f out, no response, tailed off, 8th of 13, 44l behind Abey M'Boy (11-4) at Hereford 2m 1f nhf (6) gs in Nov.
Feels Right Karinga Bay gelding out of Country Orchid.
Hohlethelonely 12-1 (10-11) In touch, headway approaching 5th, ridden approaching 3 out, soon beaten, 7th of 13, 33l behind Wessex King (11-0) at Taunton 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Humble Opinion 7-1 (10-12) Mid-division, mistake 1st, headway 6th, ridden in 4th 2 out, weakened approaching last, 9th of 11, 36l behind Thundering Star (10-12) at Taunton 2m 1f nov hdl (3) gs in Nov.
Knightsbridgelives (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Held up, ridden 3 out, weakened after, 4th of 5, well behind Tchico Polos (11-4) at Wincanton 2m nh nov hdl (3) sft in Nov.
Midnight Haze 12-1 (10-12) Held up, effort 8th, mistake next and soon held, 8th of 14, 47l behind Great Endeavour (11-8) at Towcester 2m 5f nh nov hdl (3) sft in Nov.
Pourdel (FR) 8-1 (11-0) In touch, one paced final 3f, 6th of 14, 7l behind Pontop (11-4) at Wetherby 2m nhf (6) gf in May.
Return To Sender (IRE) 40-1 (10-13) Prominent, weakened over 4f out, tailed off, 14th of 16, well behind Flemmingsbond (11-2) at Ludlow 2m nhf (4) gs in Nov.
Tender Falcon 40-1 (10-12) Towards rear, headway after 3 out, soon ridden and one pace, 4th of 15, 6l behind Finney (10-12) at Hereford 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gs.
Cassia Rose 9-1 (11-0) Held up; hdwy 11; wknd 4 out; went poor 2nd nr fin, 2nd of 8, 25l behind Qualypso D'allier (10-7) at Cothelstone 2m 4f ptp in Apr.
