held up in rear, took keen hold, headway after 2 out, kept on flat, unable to challenge
held up towards rear, took keen hold, headway 3 out, challenged last, led flat, ran on well to draw clear final 100 yards
mid-division, headway 5th, one pace last, weakened flat
held up in rear, headway on outside after 2 out, no impression, weakened flat
chased leaders on inside, closed 4th, lost place before last where mistake, weakened
chased leaders on outside, pressed for 2nd and kept on flat, no impression on winner
chased leader, challenged 3 out until last, no extra final 100 yards
held up, not much room after 4th, headway before last, kept on flat, unable to challenge
chased leaders, challenged 3 out until last, one pace when not much room 100 yards out
led, ridden before last, headed flat, no impression on winner
held up towards rear, headway on inside 4th, lost place before 3 out
Despite a busy schedule, Regulation is holding his form well and was winning for the fourth time since May when successful by 10 lengths at Wincanton last week - he has a penalty to overcome here, however. Clondaw Banker has been a beaten favourite in three of his four starts to date over hurdles and is in danger of becoming disappointing while Savello has changed stables and countries since landing a chase at Ballinrobe in August and has won more over fences than hurdles. OLD GUARD goes well fresh so his absence since April is not a worry. He was thought good enough to contest the Triumph Hurdle here in March and, though well beaten, had decent form as a juvenile so looks the one to be on today. Damefirth is preferred to Mantou and Are They Your Own of the others.
Savello (IRE) 6-4fav (11-12) Held up, left 3rd at 3rd, 2nd 3 out, ridden before 2 out, stayed on to challenge 2 out, disputed last, kept on well to assert run-in, won at Ballinrobe 2m 1f Yielding - Soft in Aug beating Pass The Hat (11-2) by 4 3/4l, 7 ran.
Old Guard 6-1fav (11-12) Held up in rear, pushed along and struggling 3 out, headway approaching next, disputing well held 3rd from 2 out, outright 3rd last, no chance with leading duo, 3rd of 11, 16 3/4l behind Lil Rockerfeller (11-8) at Sandown 2m hcp (2) gs in Apr.
Mantou (IRE) 20-1 (10-7) Mid-division, not fluent 2nd, headway 4 out, mistake next, one pace next, 6th of 17, 10 1/4l behind Court Minstrel (11-12) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp (1) gd in Oct.
Regulation (IRE) 9-4fav (11-8) Mid-division, headway 3 out, led 2 out, clear when went left last, ran on well, easily, won at Wincanton 1m 7f hcp (3) gf in Oct beating Laser Blazer (11-8) by 10l, 8 ran.
Quebec 8-1 (11-12) Led, ridden and headed before last, soon weakened and lost 3rd place towards finish, 4th of 5, 8 1/4l behind Serenity Now (10-10) at Towcester 2m hcp (3) gf in Oct.
Damefirth (IRE) 12-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, pushed along in straight and no impression on winner approaching last, kept on one pace, 4th of 20, 6 1/4l behind Phil The Flyer (11-7) at Tipperary 2m hcp gd in Oct.
Sir Valentino (FR) 13-2 (11-5) Mid-division, driven to chase leaders before 4 out, one pace 2 out, no impression before last, 5th of 10, 8 1/2l behind Bullet Street (11-0) at Ludlow 2m hcp (3) gd in May.
Ozzy Thomas (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, close up after 3 out, effort after next, one pace in 3rd before last, no impression after, 3rd of 10, 17 1/4l behind Long House Hall (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp (2) gd in Apr.
Clondaw Banker (IRE) 5-4fav (11-5) Raced wide, held up in touch, headway towards stands side rail 3 out, ridden and every chance between rivals after 2 out, one pace when switched right approraching last, kept on flat, 3rd of 15, 2 1/2l behind A Vos Gardes (11-5) at Doncaster 2m 3f mdn (5) gs in Jan.
Are They Your Own (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Led, headed 3 out, weakened from 2 out, 4th of 11, 11 1/2l behind Argot (10-12) at Plumpton 2m 2f (4) gd in Sep.
Zarawi (IRE) 7-2fav (10-7) Held up in rear, went 4th at 9th, in touch 11th, left 3rd when hit 4 out, went 2nd next, soon ridden, kept on same pace, no chance with winner, 2nd of 5, 7l behind Vikekhal (11-8) at Fontwell 2m 3f hcp (4) gd in Oct.
