took keen hold, led 2nd, shaken up after 2 out, pushed out flat
tracked leaders, went 2nd 4th, mistake 3 out, switched right after 2 out, no impression on winner flat, kept on
chased leaders, not fluent 2nd, pushed along when not fluent 3 out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, not fluent 2nd, lost place before next, mistake and weakened 3 out
held up, closed from 4th, chased front pair before 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out
behind, tailed off 3rd, pulled up after
led until jumped right 2nd, prominent, lost place 5th, not fluent 3 out, soon weakened
There are three previous winners in this but also an interesting newcomer to hurdles in I'lletyougonow, though the Pipe filly will probably have to prove her stamina given she was a miler on the Flat. Blacko made it third-time lucky over timber when beating an odds-on favourite at Taunton with The Pink'n a remote third. He is respected while Scorched Earth was far from disgraced against older horses at Newbury after making a winning debut at Catterick. GUERNESEY is a half-brother to winning hurdlers in France and is by NH sire Martaline. The grey was snapped up by Terry Warner after finishing second at Argentan in October and could be anything.
Blacko (FR) 4-1 (10-12) Raced keenly, chased leaders on inside, went 2nd going well before 2 out, led run-in, stayed on strongly, won at Taunton 2m (4) sft in Dec beating Zoffee (10-12) by 2 1/4l, 12 ran.
The Pink'n 10-1 (11-4) Mid-division, headway chasing leaders before 4 out, close 2nd next until pushed along and no extra in 3rd before next, 3rd of 12, 13 1/4l behind Blacko (10-12) at Taunton 2m (4) sft in Dec.
Guernesey (FR) (10-7) 2nd of 12, 15l behind Ga Law (10-7) at Argentan 2m 2f sft in Oct.
Holy Hymn (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Led, headed briefly halfway, blundered and headed 2 out, soon weakened, 5th of 10, 24 3/4l behind Gerolamo Cardano (11-0) at Hereford 2m mdn (5) hvy in Jan.
Innerpickle 7-2 (11-0) Held up, progress on outside 6f out, pushed along and every chance over 2f out, ridden well over 1f out, one pace, 2nd of 7, 9l behind The Mick Preston (11-0) at Hereford 2m (5) sft in Dec.
Precision Prince (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders and pulled hard, led briefly halfway, pushed along after 2 out, soon weakened, 8th of 10, dist behind Gerolamo Cardano (11-0) at Hereford 2m mdn (5) hvy in Jan.
I'lletyougonow 13-2 (9-0) In touch, outpaced over 2f out, stayed on well final furlong, never a threat, 4th of 6, 1 3/4l behind Roman Spinner (9-1) at Kempton 1m hcp fll (4) pol in Dec.
Scorched Earth (IRE) 16-1 (10-11) Mid-division, pushed along and headway on inside before 3 out, chased leaders before next, 4th and one pace run-in, 4th of 17, 6 1/2l behind Mister Coffey (11-5) at Newbury 2m (4) sft in Dec.
