mid-division, ridden and headway after 8th to chase leaders, one pace from 3 out
jumped left throughout, led until 2nd, with leader until 7th, weakening when hit next, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, headway to go 3rd after 3 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace
mid-division, headway after 3 out to chase leaders, soon ridden, one pace from next
not always fluent, tracked leaders, joined leader 7th, ridden to lead after 3 out, headed next, kept on but soon no chance with winner
jumped left throughout, prominent, led 2nd, ridden and headed after 3 out, weakened next
held up behind, good headway from 7th, shaken up to lead approaching 2 out, clear last, stayed on well
always behind, tailed off and pulled up after 7th
pecked 1st, chased leaders until weakened approaching 3 out
in touch, ridden and effort after 3 out, weakened next
in touch until 5th, soon behind
always behind
Just For Men, Nero West and Black And Tan are the three for the shortlist in this maiden hurdle and the narrow vote is given to Just For Men. The selection is a really well-related newcomer and it will be a surprise if this 6-year-old is not able to make a winning debut over hurdles. Nero West should give him plenty to think about as he boasted some decent form on the flat in France and he has shown some promise over hurdles. Black And Tan was a little disappointing in his bumper last time when a beaten favourite but he may be seen to better effect here over hurdles and is not one to dismiss lightly. The Martin Pipe-trained Go Commercial is worth noting in the market although he has plenty to prove, and for the winner we return to Just For Men.
Alf Lauren 33-1 (11-2) Mid-division, headway after 5th, ridden after 3 out, weakened last, 7th of 17, 17l behind Pirate Flagship (11-2) at Newbury 2m nh mdn hdl (D) gd in Nov.
Allborn Lad (IRE) 40-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, weakened after 6th, stumbled badly and unseated rider 2 out in race won by Pedros Brief (11-0) at Windsor 2m 4f nh mdn hdl (E) gs in Dec, 13 ran.
Black And Tan (IRE) 11-4fav (11-4) In touch, chased leader over 5f out, weakened over 2f out, 5th of 12, 13l behind Wind Instrument (11-4) at Hereford 2m 1f nhf (H) gd in Nov.
Coleraine (IRE) 4-1 (11-1) Held up, headway 9f out, ridden over 5f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 14, 12l behind Legal Glory (10-11) at Hereford 2m 1f mdn nhf (H) gd in Nov.
Go Commercial (IRE) 40-1 (11-2) Always behind, 19th of 25, well behind Craven (11-2) at Newbury 2m mdn hdl (E) gs in Dec.
Just For Men (IRE) (12-0) won at Dromahane 3m ptp hvy in May beating Which Way Now (12-0) by 1 1/2l, 15 ran.
Mylord Collonges (FR) (10-8) won at Compiegne 1m 4f nhf sft in Apr beating Magiful De La Vire (10-2) by 4l, 6 ran.
Nero West (FR) 66-1 (11-2) Behind, mistake 4th, headway 2 out, hard ridden and weakened approaching last, 4th of 11, 16l behind Biscar Two (11-2) at Chepstow 2m mdn hdl (E) hvy in Dec.
Pine Marten Karinga Bay gelding out of a lightly-raced mare.
Pure Magic (FR) 100-1 (11-2) In touch until 4th, weakened and behind from 3 out, 12th of 25, well behind Craven (11-2) at Newbury 2m mdn hdl (E) gs in Dec.
Royal Hilarity (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) Towards rear, headway and not fluent 7th, weakening when mistake 3 out, 10th of 18, 41l behind Ask The Gatherer (11-5) at Warwick 2m 5f nov hdl (E) gd in Nov.
Four In Hand 50-1 (9-12) In touch, headway 5th, weakened quickly and pulled up 2 out in race won by Dare Too Dream (10-12) at Exeter 2m 3f nov hdl (D) gs in Dec, 18 ran.
Lady Wurzel 100-1 (10-2) Towards rear, weakened approaching 5th, soon behind, 12th of 14, well behind Neveesou (11-4) at Taunton 2m 1f nov hdl (D) gd in Dec.
Milanshan (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Tracked leader, led 10f out to 6f out, weakened over 3f out, 11th of 16, well behind Ben's Turn (11-10) at Folkestone 2m 1f mrs nhf (H) gs in Nov.
The Laying Hen (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Always rear division, 12th of 16, well behind Ben's Turn (11-10) at Folkestone 2m 1f mrs nhf (H) gs in Nov.
