tracked leaders, ridden before 2 out, soon weakened
chased leaders, challenged 2 out, pressed leader last, led run-in, kept on gamely, just held on
close up, ridden and weakened before 2 out
towards rear, weakened from 4 out, tailed off
chased leaders, in 3rd before 2 out, one pace and no impression
held up mid-division, pushed along and weakened before 2 out
led after 1st, pressed from 2 out, ridden and headed run-in, kept on and just held
held up towards rear, weakened after 3 out
led, headed after 1st, lost place and reminders halfway, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
held up in rear, pushed along after 5th, tailed off
Philip Hobbs can do little wrong at present and must think Rolling Dylan is ready for his hurdling debut. However, he still looked very green when landing his bumper at Wincanton last month and this will come soon enough. MORTHANALEGEND, another bumper winner, has had a couple of start over timber and that will stand him in good stead here. He stepped up markedly on his first run over this course and distance when second at Exeter and, with further progress likely, can make it third-time lucky today. Fionn Mac Cul will have benefited from his debut under Rules at Aintree and Oneforthenure wasn't disgraced at Wincanton and did win between the flags last year.
Brin D'avoine (FR) 50-1 (11-5) Always behind, tailed off, 14th of 18, dist behind Emerging Talent (11-5) at Exeter 2m 1f mdn (5) hvy in Jan.
Fionn Mac Cul (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders on outside, not fluent 4th or 6th, outpaced 3 out, soon weakened, last of 6, dist behind Definite Outcome (10-12) at Aintree 2m 4f (4) sft in Nov.
In The Hold (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Held up off the pace, headway 3 out, weakened before next, modest 3rd, 3rd of 6, dist behind Final Nudge (11-5) at Bangor 2m 1f (4) hvy in Nov.
Junior Package 200-1 (11-0) In touch, under pressure after 4 out, weakened before 3 out, 12th of 16, dist behind Le Prezien (11-0) at Ludlow 2m mdn (4) sft in Dec.
Morthanalegend 16-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, 2nd approaching 3 out, kept on same pace, no chance with easy winner, 2nd of 17, 14l behind Vieux Lille (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f (4) hvy in Dec.
Mr Medic 100-1 (10-12) Always towards rear, weakened 3 out, 10th of 13, dist behind Miles To Milan (10-12) at Taunton 2m 3f (4) hvy in Dec.
Rolling Dylan (IRE) 3-1 (11-4) Made all, clear over 2f out, hung left final furlong, kept on, won at Wincanton 1m 7f mdn (6) sft in Dec beating Antartica De Thaix (10-11) by 1 1/4l, 9 ran.
Zero Grand (IRE) 66-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders who went clear after 6f, ridden and lost place over 6f out, well beaten final 5f, tailed off, 9th of 13, dist behind Fly Du Charmil (11-0) at Newbury 2m (6) sft in Nov.
Monet Moor 50-1 (10-12) Raced keenly, prominent, led before 3rd until approaching 3 out, weakened soon after 3 out, 6th of 7, dist behind Lifeboat Mona (10-12) at Wincanton 2m 5f mdn (4) sft in Dec.
Oneforthenure (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) Tracked leader, tracked new leader 3rd, led approaching 3 out, pushed along and headed before next, kept on same pace, lost modest 3rd towards finish, 4th of 7, 17 1/2l behind Lifeboat Mona (10-12) at Wincanton 2m 5f mdn (4) sft in Dec.
