led narrowly to before 3rd, in touch, lost place 6th, soon behind, tailed off 4 out, pulled up next
went left and mistake 1st, in touch on outer, went 2nd 4 out, upsides 2 out, ridden to lead flat, stayed on well
pressed leader, led before 3rd, joined 2 out, ridden and headed flat, no extra
slipped approaching 1st, soon behind and not fluent, reminder after 3rd, lost touch 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
prominent, ridden after 3 out, soon lost place, no impression from next
tracked leaders, driven to chase front pair 2 out, 2 lengths down in 3rd when blundered last, well held flat
tracked leaders, outpaced 3 out, no chance with front trio from next
Roadie Joe is penalised for winning on fast ground at Worcester on his chasing bow while Querry Horse made a decent start over fences when second at Huntingdon. But the chasing debutants make more appeal with STARCHITECT preferred of that group. David Pipe’s charge had an outing in the Cesarewtch at Newmarket in October and should go close if running up to his hurdling mark. Gala Ball rattled-up a hat-trick over hurdles early this year and is rated higher over timber than A Hare Breath but the latter has a recent run under his belt.
Roadie Joe (IRE) 10-11fav (11-6) Tracked leaders, left 3rd when hampered 2nd, chased leader when jumped right from 3 out, led narrowly last, ridden and edged right flat, kept on towards finish, won at Worcester 2m 4f (4) gd in Sep beating Indian Rupee (11-6) by 3l, 6 ran.
A Hare Breath (IRE) 14-1 (10-10) In touch in mid-division, closed 4th, ridden after 3 out, slightly hampered next, every chance last, no extra towards finish, 4th of 16, 2 1/4l behind North Hill Harvey (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (1) sft in Nov.
Gala Ball (IRE) 15-8fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, led approaching and not fluent 3 out, headed after next, kept on same pace, 2nd of 7, 3l behind Thunder Sheik (10-9) at Newbury 2m hcp (2) gs in Apr.
Lettheriverrundry (IRE) 9-1 (11-5) Held up, well in rear, on outside, jumped left 1st, not fluent 3rd, went modest 4th latter stages, never involved, 4th of 8, 29l behind Sirabad (11-8) at Wincanton 2m hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Pougne Bobbi (FR) 2-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders, went 2nd after 4 out, ridden and one pace after next, soon no chance with easy winner, 2nd of 10, 10l behind Ballyoptic (11-8) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f (4) sft in Mar.
Starchitect (IRE) 13-2jfav (8-10) Soon led, ridden and headed over 3f out, soon ridden, weakened quickly inside final 3f, 23rd of 33, dist behind Sweet Selection (8-8) at Newmarket 2m 2f hcp (2) gd in Oct.
Querry Horse (FR) 9-4 (11-0) Tracked clear leader, blundered and nearly unseated rider 2nd, closed 4 out, ridden and every chance 2 out, kept on one pace, 2nd of 3, 4l behind Max Ward (11-3) at Huntingdon 2m hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Sage Monkey (IRE) 50-1 (11-1) Raced wide, keen, close up, ridden 3 out, weakened next, 5th of 6, dist behind Potters Legend (11-6) at Bangor 2m 4f (3) sft in Nov.
