tracked leading pair until pushed along 3rd, soon dropped quickly to rear, pulled up after 4th
took keen hold, chased leader until 4 out, rallied to 2nd again approaching 2 out until last, 3rd and one pace flat
pulled hard, held up in touch, headway to 2nd 4 out until ridden before 2 out, soon no chance with leading trio
raced wide, chased leading trio, went 3rd at 3rd, weakened 3 out
led, drew clear going best before 2 out, reduced lead approaching last, ridden and hung badly left flat, headed final 100 yards, kept on same pace, unable to recover
raced wide, held up in rear, headway on outside approaching 2 out, went 2nd last, switched right as leader hung badly left flat, stayed on to lead final 100 yards, driven clear
The four-year-old SAMETEGAL has won three of his five starts over hurdles and was only beaten a length in a Grade 2 at Doncaster on his penultimate outing. He's been done favours by the assessor on his handicap debut but Harry Derham's claim is a plus and he may well be good enough to beat his elders. Home Run's five-timer in December and January included two victories over track and trip but he was beaten here off his new mark 12 days ago while Oscar Nominee has a welter burden on his return to action, though had some good form around this time last year including a third at The Festival. Meganisi won well at Newbury in November but that form hasn't worked out and he was the first beaten in a Grade 2 at Ascot subsequently.
Oscar Nominee (IRE) 10-1 (10-13) In rear, not fluent 2nd, pushed along after next, headway after 2 out, switched left approaching last, kept on well flat, went 3rd close home, 3rd of 24, 1/2l behind Attaglance (11-3) at Cheltenham 2m 4f Conditional Handicap Hurdle (0-145) (4yo+) (2) gd in Mar.
Sametegal (FR) 5-4fav (11-8) Tracked leader, challenged 5th, led next, clear 2 out, ridden out, won at Musselburgh 2m 4yo hdl (2) gs beating Docs Legacy (11-0) by 8l, 7 ran.
Chesil Beach Boy 12-1 (10-5) Held up towards rear, rapid headway to to chase leaders after 2nd, hung right and led after 3 out, headed and outpaced before next, plugged on same pace after, 8th of 12, 15l behind Lord Of House (9-9) at Sandown 2m hcp hdl 0-145 (2) hvy in Jan.
Meganisi (IRE) 10-3 (11-7) Tracked leaders, mistakes and not fluent throughout, driven 3 out, weakened next, eased last, modest 4th, last of 4, 35l behind Puffin Billy (11-7) at Ascot 2m nov hdl G2 (1) hvy in Dec.
Home Run (GER) 4-1 (11-3) Led until after 4th, under pressure 3 out, soon rallied, stayed on under pressure after last, 2nd of 6, 2 3/4l behind Mr Mole (11-12) at Taunton 2m 1f Novice Handicap Hurdle (0-130) (4yo+) (3) hvy.
Barizan (IRE) 50-1 (10-11) Mistake 1st, held up last, struggling 3 out, well beaten when not fluent 2 out, tailed off, 7th of 11, 34l behind Whitby Jack (10-5) at Kempton 2m hcp hdl 0-140 (3) sft in Jan.
