tracked leaders until lost place 8th, hit 10th, mistake next, weakened 13th, tailed off
in touch, tracked leaders 5th, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up before last
held up, some progress 12th, weakened next, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
tracked leaders, every chance when hit 3 out, soon ridden, well held from next
soon nudged along in rear, tailed off from 11th, pulled up before 2 out
tracked leaders, not fluent 1st and 9th, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened
tracked leader, hit 5th, mistake 11th, ridden when hit 3 out, soon beaten, regained modest 3rd towards finish
always towards rear, tailed off from 4 out
made all, hit 4 out, ridden well clear after 3 out, stayed on strongly
hit 1st, mainly in rear, lost touch 11th, tailed off
HENNESSY can defy topweight and get the better of promising youngster Tricky Trickster and Camden George. Carl Llewellyn has had a fairly slow start to the season but signs have been more encouraging of late and included a winning return for Hennessy at Folkestone. He was a decent staying hurdler who ran some decent races at this track and this sort of test ought to be ideal for him. He needs to improve if he's to score from his initial mark but this race might not be as strong as one might expect. Quws Law is progressing well but has raced almost exclusively at Ayr so has to prove himself at a contrasting track. French Saulaie could conceivably improve for the longer trip but will need to whilst Kilcrea Asla hasn't always impressed with his jumping. Camden George keeps finding at least one too good which is a concern but he's only had three starts over fences and has the ability to land a decent prize. The principal danger is Tricky Trickster who has risen 10lbs for winning at Newbury. He drops down in trip but this testing track should alleviate any concerns in that respect and there should be more to come after just two starts over fences and four under Rules. The yard is just emerging from a prolonged quiet spell but the stable form is still a cause for concern so Tricky Trickster is overlooked in favour of Hennessy.
Hennessy (IRE) 4-1 (11-0) Led until 5th, disputed 2nd, went 2nd 3 out, driven approaching 2 out, led last, stayed on well flat, won at Folkestone 3m 1f beg chs (4) gd beating Fair Point (11-0) by 2 1/2l, 8 ran.
Quws Law (IRE) 5-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, led 5th, 6 lengths clear 2 out, soon ridden, kept on until headed and no extra towards finish, 2nd of 4, 3/4l behind Companero (11-5) at Ayr 3m 1f nov chs (3) sft.
French Saulaie (FR) 4-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders and keen, ridden approaching 4 out, no impression from next, 4th of 11, 19l behind Pop (11-0) at Doncaster 2m 3f beg chs (4) sft in Dec.
Tricky Trickster (IRE) 15-8fav (11-5) With leader, led 14th, ridden approaching 2 out, stayed on well flat, won at Newbury 3m nov hcp chs (3) sft in Dec beating Tank Top (11-3) by 3 1/2l, 9 ran.
Andrew Nick (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Mid-division, reminders and outpaced when blundered 13th, weakened next, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Bellaney Jewel (10-6) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Nov, 13 ran.
Kilcrea Asla (IRE) 6-1 (10-10) Mid-division, headway and in touch 4 out, ridden 2 out, stayed on to go 2nd flat, no impression, 2nd of 12, 5l behind Akilak (11-4) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp chs (2) sft in Dec.
Camden George (IRE) 11-4 (11-0) Chased leaders, blundered 1st, led approaching 4 out, ridden and under pressure 2 out, headed flat, no extra, 2nd of 6, 2l behind The Duke's Speech (11-0) at Wetherby 2m beg chs (4) sft in Dec.
Galant Nuit (FR) 12-1 (11-0) Pushed along 8th, soon left behind, 4th of 5, 49l behind Planet of Sound (11-0) at Newbury 2m 2f nov chs (3) gs in Dec.
Ping Pong Sivola (FR) 7-4fav (9-10) Always prominent, went 2nd 12th, led 2 out, headed last, soon hung right and hampered, no extra, 2nd of 10, 7l behind Ordre de Bataille (10-13) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov chs (4) gd in Dec.
Monzon (FR) 4-1 (11-2) With leader, weakened from 13th and pulled up 5 out in race won by Silly Wupple (11-2) at Wetherby 3m 1f nov chs (4) gs in Nov, 6 ran.
