held up towards rear, ridden and headway after 3 out to chase leaders, weakened approaching last
tracked leaders, ridden and every chance 2 out, kept on same pace from last
led until 3 out, soon ridden, weakened before next
mid-division, headway after 3 out, ridden to dispute close 3rd next, stayed on final 100 yards
behind from 5th, tailed off
in touch, headway after 3 out, ridden to challenge next, led soon after last, driven out
tracked leaders, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened
mid-division, effort 3 out, weakened before next
prominent, hit 4th, blundered 8th, led next, ridden and hard pressed from 2 out, headed soon after last, kept on
Nonrunner
Master Medic, Nom De Guerre and Timpo have good recent form to bring to the opener but we will take a chance on Lord Killeshanra for the in form yard of Colin Tizzard. The selection returns from an 11 month break and reverts to hurdling, where he looks to be at least a stone in hand at these weights in comparison to his chase mark. He stays really well and acts on this ground and with the yard flying today could be the day to catch him. Master Medic won a maiden hurdle first time up over a similar trip and arguably improved in defeat last time and is open to plenty of improvement, so is respected. Nom De Guerre could be the biggest threat to the selection if he can return to the form of a wide margin Leicester win last month, though he ha been well beaten since. Meanwhile Timpo took well to hurdling last time and looks sure to improve for that experience, so cannot be ruled out. There are others besides, such as Connak and Gullible Gordon who would be interesting if supported, but we will side with Lord Killeshanra.
Master Medic (IRE) 6-1 (11-5) Led 2nd to 3 out, chased leader, hit 2 out, regained lead between last 2, headed before last, weakened, 4th of 10, 10l behind Sovereign King (10-12) at Folkestone 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Timpo (FR) 7-2 (10-12) Mid-division, headway 8th, ridden before 2 out, stayed on under pressure to lead near finish, won at Warwick 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov beating Bobby Gee (10-7) by 3/4l, 15 ran.
Connak (IRE) Pasternak gelding out of Call Me Connie.
Freedom Frix 100-1 (10-12) Mid-division until weakened 7th, last of 16, well behind Lodge Lane (10-7) at Fontwell 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gd in Dec.
Gullible Gordon (IRE) 9-2 (11-2) Held up, ridden and headway over 4f out, hung left and weakened 3f out, 6th of 16, 11l behind Kingston Lane (11-2) at Chepstow 2m nhf (6) gs in Nov.
Just Standeese (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Always towards rear, tailed off, 10th of 15, well behind Petit Robin (10-12) at Newbury 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Kornati Kid 10-3fav (11-0) Mid-division, not fluent 5th, headway approaching 7th, weakened before 3 out, 4th of 15, 18l behind Go Amwell (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Lord Killeshanra (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway and mistake 16th, soon ridden, not much room on bypassed 2 out, kept on same pace, 5th of 18, 13l behind Rambling Minster (10-5) at Sandown 3m hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs in Feb.
Moment Of Magic (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) Soon led, headed over 5f out, weakened over 3f out, 7th of 10, 29l behind Midnight Sail (10-11) at Newbury 2m 4yo nhf (4) gs in Dec.
Pacco (FR) 40-1 (10-12) Always towards rear, 7th of 14, 22l behind Hinton Thunderbolt (10-2) at Towcester 2m nh nov hdl (3) sft in Dec.
Richard's Sundance (IRE) 11-1 (10-9) Soon in touch, close up 4 out, ridden approaching 2 out, weakening when mistake last, 3rd of 9, 9l behind Herecomesthetruth (10-12) at Plumpton 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Nom de Guerre (IRE) 7-4fav (11-5) Towards rear, headway 7th, chased leaders 5 out, weakened last, 4th of 16, 13l behind Cryptic (11-5) at Haydock 2m 4f nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
