held up mid-division, ridden and headway over 2f out, kept on same pace
led, ridden and edged left entering final furlong, soon headed kept on
tracked leaders, pushed along and every chance 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, headed towards finish
in rear, pushed along over 2f out, never dangerous
held up towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, staying on when not much room inside final furlong, soon switched right, kept on towards finish
held up towards rear, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out
tracked leader, pushed along pover 2f out, ridden well over 1f out, kept on to lead towards finish
Nonrunner
Though in tremendous form at Southwell last year, La Estrella ended 2011 with a victory over this track and trip. He has a penalty to carry today, however, and may find ASCENDANT too good. The latter has been hurdling since a victory on the Flat at Musselburgh in 2009 and was bought by his current trainer having won over timber for Paul Nicholls at Hereford last month. He's potentially ahead of the handicapper on his return to the level and is preferred to October's Doncaster runner-up Exemplary and recent C&D winner Wild Desert. Southwell winner Bivouac could prove best of the remainder.
Ascendant 5-6fav (9-12) Made all, driven 2f out, strongly challenged approaching final furlong, just held on, won at Musselburgh 1m 6f 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Sep '09 beating Spirit Is Needed (9-4) by hd, 7 ran.
Exemplary 20-1 (9-12) Chased leaders, stayed on to chase winner inside final 2f, one pace and no impression inside final furlong, 2nd of 18, 2 1/2l behind Gulf of Naples (9-2) at Doncaster 1m 7f hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Wild Desert (FR) 6-4fav (10-6) Led, driven over 2f out, ridden inside final furlong, kept on until headed and no extra final 50 yards, 2nd of 6, 1l behind Epsom Salts (9-7) at Kempton 2m hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Dec.
Rock Of Deauville (IRE) (9-2) won at Chateaubriant(FR) 1m 5f stk in May '10 beating Rose De Reims (8-8) by 4l, 16 ran.
Nezhenka 13-2 (9-7) Held up towards rear, pushed along over 3f out, some headway over 1f out, never dangerous, 7th of 11, 13l behind William Haigh (9-3) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec.
Bivouac (UAE) 10-3 (9-4) Held up in touch, smooth headway over 3f out, effort over 2f out, soon every chance, kept on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 7, 4l behind Xpres Maite (9-4) at Southwell 1m 3f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Dec.
Rosewood Lad 8-1 (9-2) Prominent, ridden 9f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 8, 12l behind Right Stuff (10-0) at Kempton 2m hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec.
La Estrella (USA) 4-1 (10-0) Chased leaders, ridden to challenge over 2f out, hung left when every chance over 1f out, led entering final furlong, ran on well, won at Wolverhampton 2m hcp (4) pol in Dec beating Appeal (8-7) by 1 1/4l, 7 ran.