tracked leader, reminders after 5th, weakening when hit 4th
tracked leaders, ridden after 4 out, chased winner 2 out, no impression
held up in rear, outpaced from 4 out, never dangerous
held up mid-division, took slight hold, headway 4 out, led on bit after 3 out, clear approaching last, hard held
tracked leaders in 3rd and keen, weakened after 4 out, pulled up before last
held up mid-division on inner, went poor 4th after 4 out, hit 2 out, kept on from last, just held for 3rd near finish
held up towards rear, never dangerous, weakened from 4 out
held up towards rear, weakened after 4 out, pulled up before last
led, ridden approaching 3 out, headed soon after, weakened 2 out, just held on for 3rd near finish
TATISPOUT may find this a lot easier than her British debut at Cheltenham and having won a bumper in France she gets the vote. Although not impressing in the Triumph Hurdle Trial earlier in the month, connections are clearly confident she is one with a future. The pedigree for Plus Ultra wouldn't necessarily point to a career over jumps nor this sort of trip, but former Mark Johnston runner Ibn Hiyyan is of interest. Again, not immediately one that would catch the eye over this sort of distance with US dirt pedigree on the dam's side, his run at Aintree in October displayed plenty of promise and he's bound to improve for the run. Steve Gollings has his runners in decent shape and Local Hero, who won a flat maiden at Catterick at the start of the month, has Tony McCoy booked for the ride. This is an encouraging sign for the newcomer to jumps, but Tatispout has the ability to take this.
Beneath 18-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, headway halfway, weakened before 3 out, 6th of 8, 40l behind Marsh Warbler (10-9) at Bangor 2m 1f 3yo mdn hdl (4) sft.
Dhaafer 7-1 (10-12) Held up in touch, outpaced 3 out, stayed on closing stages, never able to challenge, 5th of 8, 30l behind Marsh Warbler (10-9) at Bangor 2m 1f 3yo mdn hdl (4) sft.
Ibn Hiyyan (USA) 11-1 (11-0) Raced keenly, tracked leaders on inside, driven and outpaced 3 out, weakened next, 5th of 10, 30l behind Mason Hindmarsh (11-0) at Aintree 2m 1f juv hdl (3) gs in Oct.
Local Hero (GER) 7-2 (9-3) Held up towards rear, headway over 6f out, led approaching 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on well, eased towards finish, won at Catterick 1m 4f mdn stks (5) sft beating Protaras (9-3) by 2 1/4l, 12 ran (flat).
Penshurst Lad (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) In touch, reminders after 4th, soon behind, tailed off, 10th of 11, well behind Pantxoa (11-5) at Warwick 2m juv hdl (4) gd.
Plus Ultra (IRE) 13-2 (10-5) Mistake 2nd, in rear, behind after 6th, never dangerous, 6th of 11, well behind Palawi (10-12) at Haydock 2m juv hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Verluga (IRE) 7-1 (9-2) Tracked leaders on inside, outpaced over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on same pace under pressure inside final furlong, no impression, 7th of 10, 4 1/2l behind Fleetwoodsands (9-7) at Wolverhampton 7f 3yo hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Sep (flat).
Wolf Rock 20-1 (8-10) Dwelt and went right start, towards rear, pushed along over 3f out, ridden 2f out, never a factor, 11th of 14, 16l behind Opening Nite (9-3) at Ayr 1m 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Sep (flat).
Tatispout (FR) 100-1 (10-5) Took keen hold, soon steadied towards rear, struggling 4 out, tailed off, 12th of 15, well behind Sam Winner (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m juv nov hdl Grd 2 (1) gs.