made all, clear before last
tracked leaders in 3rd, beaten before 4 out
tracked winner, ridden and well held before last
tracked leaders and in rear, weakened from 7 out
HORIZONTAL SPEED (NAP) never threatened the much higher rated Saphir Du Rheu when runner-up at Exeter last time but faces nothing of that calibre in this. Philip Hobbs' charge can open his account over fences at the main expense of Red Devil Boys. The latter looked unlucky at Doncaster when falling after being hampered at the last and is preferred to Talkin Sence. Line D'Aois has been rattling up the wins in bumper and hurdle races but is facing a tougher task now chasing for the first time.
Horizontal Speed (IRE) 6-1 (11-0) Prominent, led 7th, headed when mistake 2 out, no impression on winner last, one pace, 2nd of 8, 11l behind Saphir Du Rheu (11-0) at Exeter 2m 3f nov chs (2) gs in Dec.
Line D'aois (IRE) 1-4fav (11-0) Tracked leading pair, went 2nd after 6th, led next, clear before last, kept up to work flat, won at Hexham 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) sft in May beating Laird Of Monksford (11-0) by 1 3/4l, 5 ran.
Red Devil Boys (IRE) 6-5 (11-0) With leader, led on bit 4 out, ridden when challenged next, headed after 2 out, staying on same pace when brought down after last, in a race won by Smart Freddy (11-0) at Doncaster 2m 3f nov chs (4) sft in Dec, 4 ran.
Talkin Sence (IRE) 33-1 (10-13) Held up towards rear, blundered 3rd, went 3rd before 4 out, weakened before last, 5th of 6, well behind Wakanda (11-4) at Kelso 2m 7f nov chs (3) sft in Dec.
