held up towards rear, headway 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, gradually faded
tracked leaders, led approaching 2 out, soon ridden, headed soon after last, rallied and edged left, led towards finish, all out
mid-division until weakened 3 out
mistake 3rd, always towards rear
towards rear, some late progress, never dangerous
mid-division, hit 3 out, soon ridden, one pace from next
in touch, ridden in close 6th when blundered 2 out, soon pulled up
saddle slipped and pulled up before 1st
took keen hold in touch, headway after 3 out, every chance 2 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace
always behind, tailed off from 5th
led, soon clear, ridden and headed well after 3 out, mistake next, 7th when beaten and fell last
mid-division, headway approaching 2 out, ridden approaching last, stayed on, not pace of leaders
chased clear leader, led briefly approaching 2 out, soon ridden, one pace approaching last
mid-division, headway 5th, ridden to challenge approaching last, led flat, carried slightly left, headed near finish
pulled hard, chased leader, hit 1st, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened
An interesting opener with Song Of Songs likely to dominate the market and he is the selection with Turfshuffle and Hot Diamond put forward for the placings. James Fanshawe has done well with select team of national hunt horses over the years and Song Of Songs won in the style of a decent novice at Kempton's christmas festival. Argueably his penultimate outing reads even better, finishing a close third behind subsequent Totesport Trophy third County Zen and Blue Bajan in a novice contest. Nicky Henderson introduces a flat recruit from Germany in Turfshuffle. The yard has introduced some very exciting novices in recent months and the market should prove the best guide. It is hard to know what to make of his form where he finished a staying on third last time over 1m but the second in that contest has since competed in a German Group 3 event finishing a close fourth. Hot Diamond failed to step up on a promising debut at Kempton where he travelled quite strongly but failed to get home. His most recent outing at Ludlow was a decent contest, the front two drawing a long way clear of the third. Stamina has appeared an issue but drying conditions should aid his cause. Zaif an 89 rated performer on the level is interesting with hurdling experience now under his belt. Today's quicker surface is certain to suit. Alan King introduces a hurdling debutant in Southern Regent for which the market should offer the best clues but Song Of Songs is taken to land this.
Magic Rush 11-4 (11-5) Tracked leaders and keen, headway after 4 out, weakened 3 out, 3rd of 6, 5l behind Chrysander (10-12) at Ludlow 2m nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Song of Songs 5-4fav (11-0) Tracked leaders, ridden into narrow advantage approaching last, ran on well, ridden out, won at Kempton 2m nov hdl (2) gs in Dec beating Polyfast (11-0) by 3l, 11 ran.
Bowl of Cherries 150-1 (11-3) In rear, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Super Formen (10-7) at Chepstow 2m nov hdl (4) hvy, 14 ran.
Bull Market (IRE) 66-1 (11-4) Mid-division until weakened after 3 out, 10th of 14, 40l behind Dip Anchor (11-1) at Taunton 2m 1f nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Lydlinch (IRE) Kahtan gelding out of Vitaly.
Mae Cigan (FR) 7-2fav (11-4) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, soon ridden, no impression from next, 8th of 14, 15l behind Iroquois Warrior (11-4) at Taunton 2m 1f nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Peau Aime (FR) 40-1 (11-3) Took keen hold in rear, never dangerous, 8th of 16, 27l behind Rippling Ring (11-3) at Doncaster 2m nov hdl (4) gd.
Piamontini (IRE) 10-1 (10-12) Tracked leader, mistake 5th and 4 out, weakened before 2 out, 6th of 14, 31l behind Overclear (10-12) at Taunton 2m 3f nh nov hdl (3) gd in Dec.
Recalcitrant 4-1 (9-0) Led, ridden when headed approaching final furlong, weakened, 5th of 8, 3l behind High Class Problem (8-9) at Kempton 1m hcp (6) pol in Jan (Flat).
Southern Regent (IND) 25-1 (9-9) Led for 2f, tracked leaders, chased winner over 2f out, kept on, no impression, 2nd of 8, 3l behind Tropical Strait (9-1) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Oct (Flat).
Tanktastic 100-1 (11-4) Towards rear, tailed off 2 out, 6th of 15, well behind Souriceau (10-7) at Folkestone 2m 1f mdn hdl (5) hvy in Jan.
Think Lucky 33-1 (10-7) Held up, ridden and weakened 3 out, 5th of 8, 20l behind Classic Gold (11-0) at Huntingdon 2m nov hdl (4) gf in May.
Travelling Fox 25-1 (8-11) Led 2f, remained in touch, ridden 6f out, weakened over 4f out, 9th of 13, 44l behind Lady Pilot (9-7) at Southwell 1m 6f hcp 0-65 (6) fbs in Apr (Flat).
Turfshuffle (GER) (9-8) Prominent, 3rd straight, ran on to go 2nd over 1f out, every chance 150yds out, stayed on, 3rd of 15, 2 1/2l behind Champus (9-4) at Munich 1m stk gd in Oct (Flat).
Zaif (IRE) 11-2 (11-6) Mid-division, hampered 4th, headway when hit 3 out, soon chasing leaders, one pace from next, 3rd of 12, 14l behind La Estrella (11-6) at Fakenham 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Hot Diamond 7-1 (10-12) Mid-division, steady headway from 4 out, one pace flat, 4th of 15, 14l behind Doubly Guest (10-5) at Ludlow 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) gd in Jan.
Master Halling 100-1 (11-0) Chased leaders until weakened 3 out, 8th of 11, well behind Franchoek (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 1f nov hdl Grd 2 (1) gs in Jan.
Stark Contrast (USA) 12-1 (8-5) Keen mid-division, effort on inside over 1f out, soon went 3rd, stayed on, 3rd of 8, 3l behind Emperor Court (8-8) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) pol (Flat).
