made all, driven and pressed last, edged right flat, stayed on gamely
held up in rear, struggling 8th, mistake and well beaten 4 out, pulled up after 3 out
prominent, close 2nd after 7th, outpaced before 3 out, soon well held, plugged on into 4th 2 out
held up towards rear, headway 4 out, went 3rd after 2 out, no impression 2 out, no extra last
tracked leaders, lost place 2nd, not fluent next, some headway on wide outside before 8th, soon weakened
chased leaders, not fluent 8th, mistake 4 out, pressing for 2nd 3 out, soon beaten, weakened before next
prominent, not fluent 6th or 7th, weakened quickly before 8th, pulled up after
mid-division, not fluent 1st, headway after 7th, not fluent 4 out, soon weakened
mid-division, headway after 7th, went 2nd 3 out, every chance last, slightly impeded flat, held after, stayed on close home
towards rear, in touch when pushed along after 7th, lost place before next, well beaten 4 out, pulled up after next
Several of these arrive at the top of their game. Arctic Gold is on a four-timer but is having only his fifth start over hurdles. He's also won on heavy ground and, despite climbing the weights, has to be thereabouts again. Isaacstown Lad has won four of his last five and keeps defying the handicapper. He'll also handle conditions but so will last month's Bangor winner VOLCANIC. The latter's stable is bang in form and he may just be better treated than his likely market rivals. Pobbles Bay looked a stayer in the making when beating Captainofindustry over 2m4f at Ffos Las and could go well from near the foot of the handicap while it's no surprise to see course winner Rolling Maul back over hurdles after failing to take to fences and he's preferred to course and distance winner Howaboutnever.
Flintham 25-1 (11-9) Led until 1st, prominent, every chance 2 out, weakened before last, 11th of 13, 27 3/4l behind So Fine (10-7) at Cheltenham 3m hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Kingscourt Native (IRE) 7-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, went 4th from 7 out, weakened before 5 out, pulled up, at Exeter 3m (3) hvy in Nov.
Rolling Maul (IRE) 28-1 (11-1) In touch until mistake 3rd, jumped slowly 5th and 6th, landed steeply 7th, reminder before 9th, behind 11th, tailed off 13th, soon pulled up, at Uttoxeter 3m (4) hvy in Dec.
Isaacstown Lad (IRE) 5-2fav (11-8) Held up in touch, headway 4 out, chased leaders next, ridden to lead after last, ran on strongly, won at Haydock 2m 7f hcp (3) hvy in Dec beating Oscar Blue (11-7) by 4l, 6 ran.
According To Trev (IRE) 16-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, lost place 3 out, soon behind, 12th of 16, dist behind Singlefarmpayment (10-7) at Cheltenham 3m hcp (2) hvy in Jan.
Arctic Gold (IRE) 11-4 (11-4) Made all, mistake 3rd, not fluent 6th or 3 out, clear from next, mistake last, comfortably, won at Ludlow 3m hcp (3) hvy in Jan beating Crazy Jack (11-4) by 5l, 6 ran.
Volcanic (FR) 4-1 (11-11) Made all, driven 2 out, ran on well, won at Bangor 2m 7f hcp (3) sft in Dec beating Golden Milan (11-12) by 9l, 4 ran.
Howaboutnever (IRE) 9-2 (11-7) Led narrowly to after 1st, tracked front pair, led again narrowly 4 out (usual 5 out), headed before 2 out, soon ridden, rallied and upsides last, led flat, just held on, won at Warwick 3m 2f hcp (4) hvy in Dec beating Battle Dust (11-12) by 1/2l, 5 ran.
Pobbles Bay (IRE) 8-1 (11-3) Held up in touch, tracked leaders after 4 out, went 2nd after next, upsides between last 2, ridden and kept on under pressure flat, led narrowly near finish, won at Ffos Las 2m 4f hcp (3) hvy in Dec beating Captainofindustry (11-2) by hd, 8 ran.
Floral Spinner 20-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders, not fluent 4th, pushed along 6th, outpaced after next, stayed on approaching last, went 3rd flat, no impression, 3rd of 6, 14l behind Arctic Gold (11-4) at Ludlow 3m hcp (3) hvy in Jan.
