held up behind, headway after 3 out, soon ridden, left 3rd 2 out, stayed on to go 2nd run-in
tracked leaders, ridden after 3 out, held when left 2nd 2 out, blundered last, lost 2nd flat
in touch, hit 2nd, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out
led, hit 2nd, headed next, prominent, ridden after 3 out, weakening when left 4th 2 out
in touch, ridden after 3 out, weakened before next
mid-division, headway 6th, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened
mid-division until 5th, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
mid-division until weakened after 3 out
mid-division, mistake 3rd, behind when hit 6th, tailed off when pulled up before last
mid-division, effort after 3 out, weakened before next
prominent, led 3rd, slight advantage when fell 2 out
always behind, tailed off and pulled up after 3 out
mid-division, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
in touch, mistake 7th, hit 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up before next
held up towards rear, hit 2nd, headway 5th, weakened after 3 out, mistake and unseated rider 2 out
always towards rear
in touch, went 2nd after 3 out, challenging when left in lead next, comfortably
Fiddling Again is the clear pick here and could have most to fear from Mums Chatterbox and Charlottes Web. Nicky Henderson sent out the smart Karello Bay to win this race last year and he has another promising recruit on his hands in the daughter of Fiddling The Facts. She made a pleasing hurdling debut over a trip just short of two and a half miles and will be all the better for that experience and this stiffer test. Mums Chatterbox showed a smart level of form in bumpers for her small yard, finishing third behind the decent Seven Is My Number last time. This trip should suit and she should be a factor if hurdling efficiently. Charlottes Web can be expected to step up on the form of her hurdling bow and could also take a hand in the finish. Daraz Rose, Tizzy Blue, Cracking Cliche, Miss Ceka and Marsh Court make some each-way appeal but Fiddling Again is expected to land this one.
Daraz Rose (IRE) 25-1 (10-11) Held up in rear, effort 2 out, never on terms, 7th of 15, 10l behind Earth Crystal (11-3) at Ascot 2m 3f nov hdl (3) sft.
Charlottes Webb (IRE) 9-1 (10-10) Tracked leaders, ridden and hit 4 out, every chance when jumped right 3 out, weakened last, 6th of 16, 9l behind Daraz Rose (10-5) at Ludlow 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Dec.
Cracking Cliche 9-1 (10-10) In touch, ridden 3 out, one pace, 6th of 15, 11l behind Owlesbury Dream (10-12) at Wincanton 2m mrs nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Double's Daughter 100-1 (11-2) Raced keenly, tracked leader until approaching 8th, ridden and weakened 3 out, 6th of 10, 28l behind Castlecrossings (11-1) at Chepstow 2m 4f mrs nov hdl (4) hvy.
Fiddling Again 4-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, challenged 3 out, ridden and every chance from 2 out, no extra near finish, 3rd of 13, 1/2l behind Butterfly Rose (11-4) at Taunton 2m 3f mrs mdn hdl (4) gs.
Kentford Mist 16-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway 6th, challenging when fell 3 out in race won by Maggie Mathias (10-12) at Warwick 2m 5f mrs nov hdl (4) sft in Dec, 14 ran.
Lets Get Busy (IRE) 11-1 (10-8) Behind, jumped badly left and blundered badly 5th and pulled up at the 10th in race won by Tosula (10-0) at Taunton 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in Dec, 14 ran.
Lilac Wine 66-1 (10-10) In touch, ridden 7th, soon weakened, 17th of 18, well behind Thebelloftheball (10-7) at Exeter 2m 3f mrs nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Marsh Court 14-1 (10-4) Mid-division, ridden 3f out, one pace, 6th of 15, 2 1/2l behind Duke of Burgundy (11-2) at Ludlow 2m mdn nhf (5) gd in Nov.
Midnight Ocean 80-1 (10-12) Held up, pushed along after 6th, never dangerous, 8th of 14, 20l behind Maggie Mathias (10-12) at Warwick 2m 5f mrs nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Miss Ceka (IRE) 7-4fav (10-10) In touch, hit 3 out, under pressure after 2 out, weakened quickly before last, 5th of 14, 12l behind Gallileo Figaro (10-10) at Folkestone 2m 1f mrs nov hdl (4) gf in Oct.
Miss Penfold 50-1 (10-10) Mid-division, ridden 5th, soon weakened, 14th of 18, well behind Thebelloftheball (10-7) at Exeter 2m 3f mrs nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Mist Again 50-1 (11-4) Always behind, tailed off, 8th of 13, well behind Butterfly Rose (11-4) at Taunton 2m 3f mrs mdn hdl (4) gs.
Mums Chatterbox (IRE) 10-1 (10-11) Held up in rear, headway over 2f out, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 11, 7l behind Seven Is My Number (11-4) at Ascot 2m nhf (3) gd in Nov.
Queen Musa 16-1 (10-5) Raced keenly, soon in touch, ridden halfway, weakened over 4f out, tailed off, 11th of 12, well behind Gold Reef (10-3) at Huntingdon 2m mrs nhf (5) gs in Dec.
Taralina 12-1 (11-4) Led 2nd, ridden and headed after 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 7th of 13, well behind Butterfly Rose (11-4) at Taunton 2m 3f mrs mdn hdl (4) gs.
Tizzy Blue (IRE) 5-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened, 3rd of 7, 28l behind Pocket Aces (11-12) at Plumpton 2m 5f nh nov hdl (3) sft.
