held up, pushed along 5th, struggling from 8th, plugged on before last, went 3rd flat, no impression
prominent, not fluent 9th, led 4 out, edged left flat, clear towards finish, stayed on well
tracked leaders, not fluent 4 out, every chance after next, weakened before last
held up, headway 9th, hit 3 out, challenged after 3 out, no impression final 100 yards
led, not fluent 10th, headed 4 out, weakened before 2 out, tailed off
prominent on outside, hit 3 out, ridden and about 2 lengths 3rd when sprawled badly and unseated rider 2 out
in rear, not always fluent, blundered 1st, behind and hanging left after 7th, pulled up before 9th
Nonrunner
Art Professor boasts some decent form over hurdles but is jumping fences late in life and probably lacks the scope of a few of these. Horatio Hornblower will find this easier than the Grade 2 he contested last time and would have every chance on an earlier third at Uttoxeter. Water Garden has ability but is proving difficult to place and connections still don't seem to know what his best trip is. WESTAWAY makes his fencing bow but likes the mud and should now be approaching peak fitness after a couple of outings over timber. He could be a bit of value in this if adapting to the new challenge.
Art Professor (IRE) 50-1 (11-1) Mid-division in touch, pushed along from 3rd, lost place when blundered 4 out, soon behind, 19th of 22, well behind Clondaw Kaempfer (11-4) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) gs in Apr.
Horatio Hornblower (IRE) 22-1 (11-1) Took keen hold, tracked leading pair, mistake 5th, left in 2nd place 7th, lost 2nd 4 out, one pace in 3rd and no impression next, 3rd of 5, 47l behind Coneygree (11-1) at Newbury 2m 4f nov chs Grade 2 (1) sft in Nov.
Island Cruise (IRE) 20-1 (11-7) Chased leader until after 5th, ridden after 6th, soon lost place, tailed off 3 out, 9th of 10, well behind Polamco (11-11) at Wincanton 2m 6f nov hcp hdl (0-115) (4) gd.
Mister Newby (IRE) 18-1 (11-3) Held up behind, headway and in touch 7th, outpaced before 3 out, soon weakened, 7th of 12, 37l behind Wicked Spice (11-5) at Doncaster 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gs in Nov.
Thom Thumb (IRE) 66-1 (11-2) Held up in touch, in rear from 11th, weakened before 5 out, 5th of 6, well behind Sego Success (11-2) at Wetherby 3m 1f beg chs (4) sft in Nov.
Water Garden (FR) 6-1 (10-12) Close up, progress 3 out, ridden and every chance from 2 out, not fluent last, rallied towards finish, 3rd of 7, 2 1/2l behind Big Water (11-0) at Carlisle 2m 5f nov hcap ch (3) hvy.
Triggers Ginger 25-1 (10-10) Held up towards rear, weakened from 4 out, passed tired horses from 2 out, went 4th run-in, 4th of 10, 33l behind Meetmeatthemoon (10-7) at Fontwell 2m 4f mrs nov hdl (4) sft.
Westaway (IRE) 20-1 (10-13) Held up in rear, headway under pressure approaching 2 out, never on terms, 5th of 9, 16l behind Cup Final (11-6) at Sandown 2m 6f hcp hdl (2) sft.
