led or disputed lead on outside until outpaced before 3 out, kept on under pressure before next, soon ridden, 2 lengths down in 2nd and one pace last, rallied towards finish, just held
tracked leaders, headway on outside after 3 out, ridden to lead after next, 2 lengths clear last, held on towards finish
held up in touch, tracked leaders 4 out, effort next, one pace after 2 out, stayed on to take 3rd flat, no impression
with leaders, ridden before 3 out, every chance next, kept on same pace, no impression approaching last, lost 3rd flat
tracked leaders, lost place 4 out, soon behind
tracked leaders, outpaced after 4 out, soon ridden, weakened from next
led or disputed lead on inside, narrow advantage when hit 3 out, ridden and headed after next, weakened flat
Georgieshore was only beaten a head at Leicester at the start of the month but is 4lb higher here. Taunton fourth Barista has only been placed once over hurdles so far but did win on the Flat in August. Prairie Hawk has a similar profile but Solidago hasn't won a race of any description and is getting no nearer. SUSSEX ROAD has his first run for Aytach Sadik but was second in a maiden hurdle at Thurles in November and shouldn't be stopping here given his ability to stay further. He gets the most tentative of votes.
Georgieshore (IRE) 8-1 (11-8) Pressed winner until ridden and outpaced after 3 out, rallied between last 2, upsides flat, kept on, just held, 2nd of 7, hd behind Arquebusier (11-7) at Leicester 2m hcp (5) hvy in Dec.
Barista (IRE) 12-1 (11-6) Held up towards rear, driven in 6th and struggling before 2 out, driven along between last two, kept on run-in, modest 4th close home, 4th of 14, 11 1/4l behind Exemplary (11-12) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp (5) gs in Nov.
Solidago (IRE) 25-1 (10-10) Towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, one pace and never troubled leaders, 5th of 15, 17l behind Scoppio Del Carro (10-8) at Ludlow 2m (4) sft in Dec.
Sussex Road (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) Led and disputed, slight mistake and reminders 6th, slight mistake 4 out, ridden and headed entering straight, no extra in 3rd 2 out and slight mistake, left moderate 2nd before last, no impression, 2nd of 5, 19l behind South Circle (10-11) at Thurles 2m 6f mdn Yielding in Nov.
Sweet Midnight 200-1 (10-5) In touch, ridden 2 out, soon beaten, 5th of 9, 24 1/4l behind Wolfcatcher (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 1f (4) hvy in Dec.
Rose Red 16-1 (10-9) Held up in rear, headway approaching 7th, ridden when blundered 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up before last, at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (5) hvy in Dec.
Prairie Hawk (USA) 33-1 (8-12) Held up towards rear, pushed along on inside over 2f out, ridden well over 1f out, edged left and stayed on same pace inside final furlong, 5th of 12, 6 1/4l behind Sinbad The Sailor (9-12) at Wolverhampton 2m 1f hcp (6) pol in Nov.
