jumped left and not that fluent, mid-division, niggled along after 5th, closed when blundered 7th, no chance with winner before 2 out, stayed on same pace
prominent, led 5th, clear when jinked left 2 out and last, stayed on well
mid-division, weakened 7th, tailed off 3 out, soon pulled up
tracked leaders, 2nd when not fluent 3 out,no chance with winner when mistake next, weakened before last, tailed off
led until 5th, weakened after 3 out, tailed off
in rear, tailed off 6th, pulled up after
mid-division, not fluent 5th, soon behind, tailed off 6th
held up towards rear, some headway 6th, never on terms, weakened 3 out, tailed off
held up in rear, tailed off 6th
in rear, pushed along 4th, jumped left 5th, tailed off next
prominent, ridden after 3 out, no chance with winner before next, stayed on one pace
It's A Close Call made a winning hurdling debut over course and distance in November when Frampton was only sixth. But none of those behind have done much for the form and he will find FLETCHERS FLYER (NAP) a tough nut to crack. Harry Fry's charge had some terrific bumper form last season and is going to be just as good over hurdles judged on his defeat of Parish Business over this trip at Ascot. Aqalim won over 2m at Huntingdon last month but could struggle to stay this far while Whats Left will do better when tackling handicaps.
Aqalim 11-2 (10-12) Chased leaders, pushed along after 5th, driven on outside before 2 out, stayed on approaching last, upsides and hit last, driven to lead final 100 yards, won at Huntingdon 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec beating A Boy Named Suzi (10-12) by 1 1/4l, 15 ran.
Fletchers Flyer (IRE) 11-10fav (10-12) Took keen hold early, chased leading pair, not fluent 2nd, 2nd before 3rd, challenged 2 out, soon hung right, shaken up to lead between last two, driven clear flat, won at Ascot 2m 6f nh nov hdl (2) sft in Nov beating Parish Business (11-3) by 4l, 6 ran.
Frampton (IRE) 7-2 (11-0) Tracked leaders, led 5th, headed when ridden after 3 out, weakened from next, 6th of 13, 50l behind It's A Close Call (10-12) at Wincanton 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
It's A Close Call (IRE) 5-4fav (10-12) Held up mid-division, in touch, tracked leaders after 5th, went 2nd before 2 out, shaken up to challenge between last 2, led approaching last, ridden out flat, won at Wincanton 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov beating Velvet Cognac (10-12) by 4 1/2l, 13 ran.
Dare To Endeavour 8-1 (11-1) Not fluent, chased leader until 7th, chased leading pair, mistake 12th, pushed along and outpaced when hit 4 out, weakened into 4th before next, finished tired, tailed off, blundered last, last of 4, well behind Black Thunder (11-11) at Sandown 3m lst chs (1) sft in Dec.
Periquest 80-1 (10-12) In touch, chased winner 5th, driven and lost place after 3 out, weakened from next, 4th of 11, 25l behind Andi'amu (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 3f mdn hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Sangram (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Mid-division, some headway 5th, weakened 4 out, tailed off, 9th of 16, well behind Sidbury Hill (10-5) at Chepstow 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Springboks (IRE) 100-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, hit 5th, blundered 7th, never a factor, tailed off, 10th of 13, 49l behind Arpege D'alene (11-0) at Ascot 2m 3f NH mdn hdl (3) gs in Nov.
Swincombe Star 33-1 (11-0) In touch, not fluent 7th, ridden and outpaced 3 out, plugged on from last to take 3rd close home, 3rd of 17, 30l behind Kylemore Lough (11-0) at Warwick 2m 5f mdn hdl (4) sft in Dec.
What Larks (IRE) 66-1 (10-7) Always behind, tailed off, 9th of 17, well behind Laser Hawk (11-0) at Newbury 2m mdn hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Whats Left (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Prominent, not fluent 6th, challenged 3 out, driven before next, mistake and beaten last, 4th and one pace flat, 4th of 13, 13l behind Earthmoves (10-12) at Taunton 2m 3f nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
