pulled hard and held up towards rear, good headway and jumped left 4 out, ridden behind leader and jumped left 3 out and 2 out, kept on same pace from last
pulled hard and held up in mid-division, headway 4 out, led after 3 out, shaken up 2 out, quickened clear last, impressively
chased leader, ridden after 7th, soon behind
chased leader, jumped left 4th, led after 5th to approaching 6th, weakened 7th, behind when blundered last, tailed off
prominent, led after 6th, ridden 3 out, soon headed, kept on same pace but no chance with winner
led to after 5th, led briefly 6th, ridden and mistake 3 out, weakened 2 out
held up towards rear, headway to chase leader after 7th, soon ridden, one pace
held up towards rear, ridden approaching 4 out, soon weakened
Nonrunner
Chockdee is entitled to strip fitter for his reappearance last month and has to be of interest on his chasing debut but Crossbow Creek was easily the best of these over hurdles and is taken to make a winning return on his first start over fences, with Zibeline rated the best of the remainder. The selection showed progressive form over hurdles last season, ending the campaign rated 135 following two wins at Kempton and decent efforts at both Cheltenham and Aintree's festival meetings. An ability to jump fences has to be taken on trust along with race fitness but, if translating hurdling ability to fences, Crossbow Creek should be good enough to beat these. Nayodabayo looked beaten when falling at Ludlow last time, while Kings Brook was well held before being pulled up in decent company on his chase debut at Cheltenham last month. He's The Gaffer is race fit but looks out of his depth and of more interest may be Zibeline, who is a decent hurdler on his day but has not been at his best for some time so may be best watched at present. The lack of chasing experience and a recent outing is of concern for Crossbow Creek but he may be worth chancing in this company.
Chockdee (FR) 4-1 (10-5) Held up, smooth headway to track leading pair 2 out, switched left to challenge and mistake last, weakened flat, 3rd of 11, 8l behind Cantgeton (10-7) at Cheltenham 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-135 (E) gd in Oct.
Crossbow Creek 9-1 (10-1) Towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, soon ridden, kept on flat, 3rd of 11, 6l behind Coat of Honour (10-0) at Haydock 2m hcp hdl Grd 3 (A) gs in May.
He's The Gaffer (IRE) 5-1 (10-9) Held up in mid-division, ridden and chased leaders after 3 out, stayed on, 2nd of 16, 2l behind Devito (11-8) at Taunton 2m 3f cnd hcp hdl 0-100 (F) frm in Oct.
Jaskini 16-1 (10-2) Held up last, some headway on bit after 5th, no impression after, eased and pulled up at the last in race won by Sunnyarjun (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gs, 10 ran.
Kings Brook 40-1 (11-4) Mistakes, keen hold in rear, lost touch 8th, tailed off and pulled up 3 out in race won by Flying Spirit (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m nov chs (C) gd in Oct, 7 ran.
Nayodabayo (IRE) 10-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, led after 9th, hit 4 out, ridden, headed 3 out, every chance when fell at the last in race won by Tuesday's Child (10-10) at Ludlow 2m nov hcp chs 0-105 (E) gd, 11 ran.
Zibeline (IRE) 50-1 (10-8) Held up in rear, brief effort approaching 4 out, soon beaten, 8th of 17, 25l behind Standin Obligation (11-2) at Cheltenham 3m 1f lst hcp hdl (A) gs.
Tyup Pompey (IRE) 40-1 (10-12) Held up, headway 3rd, weakened after 8th, tailed off, 7th of 10, well behind Astyanax (11-12) at Ludlow 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gf in Oct.
Haikal 12-1 (10-2) Chased leaders to 3rd, weakened before 8th, soon tailed off, 11th of 12, well behind Saucy Night (10-1) at Plumpton 2m 5f cnd hcp hdl 0-90 (F) gs in Oct.
