chased leaders on outside, ridden 3 out and dropped away quickly
tracked leaders, lost action and pulled up before 4 out
rear mid-division, pushed along 3 out, plugged on, never a danger
towards rear, struggling 5th, pulled up before next
mid-division, hampered 1st, pushed along and not fluent 3 out, soon beaten
led, pushed along home turn, headed 2 out, ridden and kept on one pace run-in
in rear, lost touch 3 out, pulled up
prominent, ridden and weakened quickly 3 out
mid-division, jumped badly right 1st, slow jump 3rd and dropped to rear, tailed off after 5th, pulled up
chased leaders, raced keenly, pushed along after 3 out, weakening when mistake and nearly unseated rider 2 out
mid-division, pushed along 3 out, soon beaten
mid-division, pushed along and chased leaders after 3 out, ridden after 2 out and no impression
towards rear, headway before 3 out and went 4th home turn, shaken up and led 2 out, not fluent last, ridden and stayed on well run-in
mid-division, pushed along halfway, well behind 3 out
Blueking D'oroux won in France on testing ground and started favourite for the Grade 2 Triumph Hurdle Trial at Cheltenham in October but weakened very quickly from halfway after leading. He has questions to answer and connections will be hoping for softer ground. TROJAN HORSE won on soft on the Flat and was very impressive on good ground at Fontwell so looks the safer option. Major Gatsby won four times in minor company on the Flat but State Legend, three-times a winner on the level, looks more of a threat. Fourofakind showed potential for Johnny Murtagh and his stable had an easy winner at Huntingdon on Boxing Day.
Blueking D'oroux (FR) 6-4fav (11-0) Led, reminder and headed after 4 out, weakened rapidly and pulled up before next, at Cheltenham 2m (1) gd in Nov.
Trojan Horse (IRE) 13-8fav (11-0) Tracked leaders, shaken up to lead before 2 out, went clear next, kept on well flat, won at Fontwell 2m 2f (4) gd in Nov beating Aviles (11-0) by 10l, 7 ran.
Archie Macdart Dartmouth gelding out of Tara Mactwo.
Atlantic Breeze (IRE) 8-1 (9-12) Soon towards rear, ridden in rear from 2f out and no impression from over 1f out, last of 7, 24 3/4l behind Brown Eagle (9-10) at Roscommon 7f mdn Yielding in May.
Edinburgh Rock (IRE) 11-2 (8-9) Tracked leader 3f, remained handy, weakened final 2f, 8th of 11, 14l behind Vaynor (9-8) at Southwell 1m 6f hcp (5) pol in Oct.
Fourofakind (IRE) 9-1 (9-8) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, pushed along in 3rd over 3f out, soon ridden and no impression from 2f out, kept on, 5th of 12, 10l behind Kojin (10-4) at Tramore 1m 4f mdn gd in Aug.
Ghyll Manor (IRE) 40-1 (11-0) Prominent, not fluent 2nd or 3rd, lost place next, well behind final bend before omitted 3 out, last of 10, dist behind Solomoon (11-0) at Doncaster 2m 1f (4) gd in Nov.
Ice N Slice (IRE) 28-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, not fluent 4th, outpaced in 4th final bend, weakened from omitted 3 out, 6th of 10, dist behind Solomoon (11-0) at Doncaster 2m 1f (4) gd in Nov.
Major Gatsby (IRE) 33-1 (8-12) In touch, pushed along 3f out, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 10th of 12, 22 1/2l behind Marlay Park (9-12) at Epsom 7f hcp (4) gd in Sep.
Mr Rumbalicious (IRE) 40-1 (11-2) Held up last, steady headway approaching 3 out, outpaced before next, stayed on run-in, went 2nd towards finish, no chance with winner, 2nd of 5, 24l behind Perseus Way (11-2) at Leicester 2m mdn (4) gs in Nov.
State Legend (IRE) 4-1 (9-9) Led, edged left over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, 3rd and no extra towards finish, 3rd of 8, 2l behind Thundering (9-5) at Newcastle 1m 4f hcp (4) pol in Jun.
Tidal Storm 3-1 (9-10) In touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 10, 12 3/4l behind Blazeon Five (10-0) at Kempton 2m hcp (5) pol in Oct.
Inspiratrice (IRE) 300-1 (10-3) Rear mid-division, pushed along 3 out, no progress, 10th of 17, 32 1/2l behind Jane Du Berlais (11-4) at Lingfield 2m (4) gs in Dec.
Promiseduamiracle 80-1 (10-7) Visibility reduced by fog, in touch with leaders, driven along over 2f out, made no telling impression, 11th of 12, 28 1/2l behind Meatloaf (11-0) at Wincanton 1m 7f (5) gs in Dec.
