held up in 4th, outpaced before 2 out, soon weakened
chased leaders, closed after 3 out and soon pressing for 2nd, not fluent 2 out, ran green and not fluent last, no impression on winner flat
led until 4th, tracked winner, ridden before 2 out, no impression flat
tracked leader, led 4th, pushed along off last bend, ridden after 2 out, drew clear flat
in rear, mistake 6th, lost touch after 3 out
Five of the nine previous runnings have gone to Paul Nicholls representatives including the last two. The Ditcheat trainer has leading claims once again with bumper winner RHYTHM IS A DANCER, who should be sharper for last month’s comeback when runner-up over a shorter trip here on his hurdling bow. Today’s rivals have looked nothing out of the ordinary so far and Enrichissant was still well beaten when third at Chepstow while bumper winner Stand By Me has shown little in a couple of outings over timber. Coby Nine and Cushuish go hurdling for the first time with the latter preferred.
Battleofthesomme (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, under pressure over 5f out, soon tailed off and eased, last of 8, dist behind Tight Call (10-12) at Stratford 2m (4) gd in Oct.
Coby Nine (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Held up in touch in rear, chased leaders when hung left 4f out, soon outpaced, never on terms, weakened 2f out, 5th of 6, 19 1/2l behind Hold The Note (11-0) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f (5) hvy in Oct.
Legend Of Zorro (IRE) 100-1 (11-5) Mid-division, jumped right 2nd, well beaten after 4th, pulled up before 2 out, at Chepstow 2m mdn (4) gs in Nov.
Rhythm Is A Dancer 1-8fav (10-12) Took keen hold, tracked winner until 2nd, handy 3rd, 2nd again before 3 out, pushed along and every chance when veered badly left 2 out, no chance after, 2nd of 4, 12l behind Foxtrot Juliet (10-5) at Wincanton 1m 7f (4) fm in Oct.
Stand By Me (FR) 8-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, struggling 3 out, never a threat, 6th of 8, 27 1/2l behind Shiroccan Roll (10-12) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f (4) gs in Sep.
Cushuish 100-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, kept on same pace final 2f, 4th of 9, 13 1/4l behind Flic Ou Voyou (11-2) at Wincanton 1m 7f (5) gd in Nov.
Enrichissant (FR) 33-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway 5th, not fluent 7th, one pace 2 out, left 3rd last, 3rd of 15, 13 1/4l behind Senior Citizen (10-12) at Chepstow 2m 3f mdn (4) gd in Oct.
