raced keenly, tracked leader, hit 4 out pushed along before next, ridden and 5 lengths down looking held at the last, closed steadily to lead towards finish
numerous mistakes, led, clear going easily before 3 out, mistake next, ridden and 5 lengths ahead when mistake at the last, weakened badly run-in, headed towards finish
held up in 4th, closer on outside into 3rd approaching 3 out, plugged on, no chance with leading duo, lost that placing close home
always last, pushed along and outpaced after 4 out, never involved
tracked leading pair, pushed along and lost 3rd before 3 out, soon weakened, went modest 3rd again close home
Hooligan made a sparkling hurdling debut at Warwick in March, defying greenness to record a surprise but comfortable victory. MACKENBERG has a fitness advantage having scored easily at Carlisle last month. He also won first-time-out there in December so Brian Hughes will ensure there's no hanging about. Masteroftheheights was the shock winner of a Fontwell bumper in September and was by no means disgraced when stepped up in class at Cheltenham. Kyoto Star has been narrowly beaten on the Flat since a moderate hurdling debut but stable companion Chief Craftsman arrives in good form having landed a Thirsk handicap in September.
Hooligan (IRE) 25-1 (11-1) Held up towards rear, headway from 5th, went 2nd when hit 2 out, led last, clear flat, stayed on well, won at Warwick 2m (4) sft in Mar beating Nickolson (11-7) by 5l, 13 ran.
Mackenberg (GER) 9-2 (10-12) Chased leaders, went 2nd 5th, led before 3 out, in command when steadied into last and not fluent last, shaken up and readily went clear flat, won at Carlisle 2m 1f (4) gd in Oct beating You Name Him (10-12) by 9l, 10 ran.
Chief Craftsman 12-1 (9-1) Midfield, ridden 3f out, joined leaders 2f out, no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 9, 1 1/2l behind Billy No Mates (9-6) at Haydock 1m 6f hcp (4) gs in Sep.
Kyoto Star (FR) 6-1 (10-2) Tracked leaders, chased winner over 2f out, ridden inside final furlong, not pace of winner, 2nd of 10, 3/4l behind Russian Rumour (10-4) at Southwell 1m 6f hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Masteroftheheights (IRE) 33-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, ran on under pressure straight, 6th of 14, 14 1/4l behind I Am Maximus (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m (2) sft in Oct.
