mid-division, chased leaders after 3 out, went 2nd after next, soon ridden, led after last, edged right, kept on well
mid-division on outside, headway after 3 out, close up before next, pulled up quickly between last 2
tracked leaders, driven before 2 out, never on terms, soon ridden and weakened
in touch on outside, reminder after 8th, chased leader after 3 out, ridden and one pace between last 2, no impression in 4th flat
with leader, led after 3 out, ridden between last 2, not fluent last, soon headed, no extra flat, lost 2nd towards finish
tracked leaders, driven and lost place after 3 out, weakened and pulled up before next
led narrowly to after 3 out, soon lost place, weakened from next
mid-division on inside, driven to chase leaders before 2 out, ridden and stayed on to take 2nd towards finish, no impression
towards rear, mistake 6th, outpaced after 3 out, kept on under pressure from next, never troubled leaders
in rear, struggling final circuit, never involved
held up behind, outpaced 3 out, weakened before next, tailed off
Paul Nicholls has a strong hand with three entries. Dan Mcgrue, unbeaten in a bumper and between the flags, looked a nice prospect when completing a Taunton double in novice hurdle company last season and makes his handicap debut after a long break. Peak To Peak has an even longer absence to overcome having completed a double in April 2017 before beaten less than a length in a Chepstow Grade 3 in October that year. THE EAGLEHASLANDED (NAP) has had his last four starts at Cheltenham, all over further in stronger company. He's been thereabouts at the last and this shorter trip and lower grade can see him back in the winner's enclosure. Show On The Road had some strong form over hurdles at this time last year and reverts to the smaller obstacles after a couple of runs over fences though the lightly-raced Myplaceatmidnight looks more of a threat after impressing over the track and trip last month.
Eragon De Chanay (FR) 6-1 (11-11) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 3rd until after 3 out, chased leaders, weakened before next, went modest 3rd close home, 3rd of 7, 17l behind Monsieur Lecoq (10-12) at Sandown 2m hcp (2) sft in Jan.
Dan McGrue (IRE) 5-6fav (11-8) Made all, clear before 2 out, ridden out flat, unchallenged, won at Taunton 2m 3f (4) sft in Jan beating Notre Ami (11-2) by 11l, 6 ran.
Penn Lane (IRE) 8-1 (11-6) Close up, ridden after 3 out, weakened between last 2, 9th of 14, 35 1/2l behind Erick Le Rouge (11-3) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
The Eaglehaslanded (IRE) 12-1 (10-6) Held up in mid-division, not fluent 2nd, headway 3 out, chased winner before last, no impression, lost 2nd last stride, 3rd of 14, 7 1/4l behind Aux Ptits Soins (11-4) at Cheltenham 3m hcp (2) gs in Jan.
Myplaceatmidnight 9-2 (11-8) Made virtually all, clear between last 2, stayed on strongly, won at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in Jan beating Pineapple Rush (11-6) by 5l, 12 ran.
Peak To Peak (IRE) 10-1 (10-1) Chased leader until 5th, remained handy, led 3 out until approaching last, led again run-in, driven and edging left when headed and no extra towards finish, 3rd of 18, 3/4l behind Court Minstrel (11-4) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp (1) gs in Oct.
Sleep Easy 20-1 (11-8) Held up towards rear, good headway on inside chasing leaders before 3 out, pushed along and weakening before mistake next, tailed off, 11th of 14, dist behind Big Time Dancer (11-1) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp lst (1) gd in Jan.
Townshend (GER) 10-1 (10-8) Led and soon joined, headed before 2 out, stayed on same pace, 4th of 12, 15l behind Coeur Blimey (10-5) at Hereford 2m 4f hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Show On The Road 9-2fav (11-1) Mid-division, headway 5 out, chasing leaders when slipped and fell on bend approaching next, at Exeter 2m 3f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Doubly Clever (IRE) 20-1 (11-9) Held up in last, behind before 4th, closed 6th, no impression when left 3rd from 3 out, 3rd of 5, 8l behind Trans Express (11-0) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
Dark Episode (IRE) 9-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, led after 5th, headed before 2 out, soon weakened, pulled up, at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in Jan.
