led until 1st, prominent, not fluent 4th, ridden after 3 out, weakened before next
mid-division, took keen hold, headway before 3rd, went 3rd before 3 out, one pace and no impression
chased leaders, lost place 3rd, behind when mistake 3 out
led 1st until 3 out, no chance with winner before next, stayed on same pace
held up in mid-division, headway before 3 out, soon ridden, weakened well before next
chased leaders, not fluent 3rd or 4th, lost place 3 out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, headway on inside 3 out, weakened before next
held up in last, took keen hold, headway after 3 out, went 4th and one pace next, no impression
held up towards rear, headway 3 out, weakened before next
held up, mistake 2nd, well beaten after 3 out
tracked leaders, went 2nd 4th, led next, clear before 2 out, not fluent last, very easily
A big field but ZARIB is head and shoulders above these and will likely start odds-on. The Newbury winner ran well for third without threatening Peace And Co in a Grade 2 at Cheltenham three weeks ago and should land this with a clear round. Aston Cantlow, Horace Hazel and Honkytonktennessee are all bumper winners but the former pair have yet to figure over timber and the latter makes his hurdling bow today. Indian Jack has yet to make his mark over obstacles but is rated much higher on the Flat than the hurdling newcomer Hoy Hoy.
Another Luso (IRE) 100-1 (11-2) Chased leaders on inside, not fluent 5th or 7th, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by As De Mee (11-8) at Leicester 2m 4f NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (3) hvy in Jan, 10 ran.
Aston Cantlow 16-1 (10-12) Took keen hold, chased leader, led after 4th until before 7th, weakened quickly next, tailed off, 9th of 12, well behind Monbeg Theatre (10-12) at Southwell 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Bien Faire (IRE) 33-1 (11-4) Held up behind, lost touch 5th, tailed off next, pulled up after 3 out, in a race won by Abundantly (10-6) at Taunton 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan, 8 ran.
Courtlands Prince 25-1 (11-2) Prominent, wandered approaching 1st, jumped slowly 4th, pushed along after 3 out, weakened before next, 7th of 12, well behind Otago Trail (11-8) at Wincanton 2m nh nov hdl (3) hvy in Jan.
Honkytonktennessee (IRE) 15-2 (12-0) Held up, closed 5f out, 5th approaching straight where raced wide, no impression from 3f out, one pace, 5th of 10, 22l behind Macbride (11-7) at Cork 2m 3f NH flat gd in Jul.
Horace Hazel 7-1 (10-12) Towards rear, mistake 2nd, pushed along and struggling after 4 out, behind when mistake next, tailed off, 10th of 13, well behind Clyne (10-12) at Ffos Las 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Indian Jack (IRE) 33-1 (11-5) Held up in rear, not fluent 5th, well beaten before 3 out, 9th of 12, well behind Bidourey (11-0) at Leicester 2m nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
Memphis Magic (GER) 66-1 (11-0) Held up behind, outpaced 2 out, never near leaders, mistake last, 6th of 10, 41l behind Commissioned (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m mdn hdl (3) gd in Oct.
Prince of Thieves (IRE) 100-1 (11-2) Always rear-division, 9th of 12, well behind Otago Trail (11-8) at Wincanton 2m nh nov hdl (3) hvy in Jan.
Water Rail Manipulator gelding out of Madame Mozaik.
Zarib (IRE) 28-1 (11-4) Took keen hold, tracked leader ,challenged 3rd, not fluent 3 out, led 2 out, soon headed, no extra flat, 3rd of 6, 12l behind Peace And Co (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 1f 4yo hdl Grade 2 (1) sft in Jan.
Alezanna 100-1 (10-11) Held up in rear, behind from 6th, 7th of 9, 36l behind Border Breaker (10-11) at Taunton 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Hoy Hoy (IRE) 2-1fav (9-3) Mid-division far side, ridden over 1f out, led inside final furlong, held on close home, won at Chepstow 7f mdn auc stks (6) gf in Jul beating Foxford (8-12) by 1/2l, 10 ran (flat).
