held up behind, headway after 4 out, tracked leaders next, outpaced between last 2, soon ridden, well held when left 3rd last, weakened flat
with leader, led after 2nd, driven and headed after 2 out, soon ridden, weakened before last
held up behind, pushed along 4 out, headway under pressure when left 4th approaching last, stayed on to take 3rd flat, no chance with cear pair
tracked leaders in 4th, challenged on outside 3 out, led after next, mistake last, soon ridden, kept on until headed and no extra closing stages
held up behind, headway under pressure 2 out, ridden to chase front pair between last 2, 3rd and held when fell last
led to after 2nd, tracked leader, lost place before 3 out, soon outpaced and behind, tailed off when pulled up before last
prominent, ridden and effort after 2 out, well held before last, stayed on into modest 4th flat
mid-division, tracked leaders after 3 out, ridden and lost place after next, soon weakened
mid-division, tracked leaders 3 out, went 2nd after next, ridden after last, stayed on well to lead closing stages
Tikkanbar looked a smart recruit when making all and finding plenty in a Listed race here at the start of the month. He would have preferred even more rain, however, and has a penalty to carry which is not going to be easy against equally-unexposed types. Slate House also has 5lb extra but should be suited by the step up in trip given he won between the flags in 2016. Mulcahys Hill almost pinched the Challow Hurdle at Newbury last month and was rallying close home so can’t be ignored but recent winners Black Op, De Rasher Counter and Fairmount will all need to take a big step forward. Nicky Henderson runs two who should both have plenty more to offer. Pacific De Baune pulled readily clear in a Newbury maiden on his hurdles bow and could be anything but SANTINI appears to have the stronger form. He also won easily at Newbury on debut and the second has won twice since.
Slate House (IRE) 4-1 (11-5) Raced keenly, led, hit 3 out, headed well before next, no extra, 4th of 6, 7 3/4l behind Claimantakinforgan (11-0) at Ascot 2m (1) sft in Dec.
Tikkanbar (IRE) 3-1fav (11-0) Not fluent, made virtually all, mistake 2 out, pressed flat, stayed on and in command final 100 yards, won at Cheltenham 2m 4f lst (1) hvy in Jan beating Ainchea (11-0) by 1 1/4l, 8 ran.
Aye Aye Charlie 4-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, headway on outside approaching 2 out, ridden and one pace in 4th before last, no impression after, 4th of 8, 8 1/4l behind Tikkanbar (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 4f lst (1) hvy in Jan.
Black Op (IRE) 1-3fav (11-6) Made all, not fluent 2nd, clear after 2 out, ran on well, won at Doncaster 2m 5f mdn (5) sft in Jan beating Colonial Dreams (11-6) by 17l, 8 ran.
De Rasher Counter 11-4fav (11-12) In touch, headway before 3 out, led before 2 out, kept on well, won at Fontwell 2m 3f hcp (3) hvy in Jan beating Morianour (11-1) by 3 1/4l, 8 ran.
Fairmount 7-2 (10-12) Made all, pressed from 2 out, clear before last, kept on strongly, won at Ffos Las 2m (4) hvy in Dec beating Holdbacktheriver (10-12) by 13l, 6 ran.
Mulcahys Hill (IRE) 16-1 (11-7) Tracked leader, led 4th, clear before 3 out and taken wide in straight, ridden and flashed tail between last 2, joine dlast, headed run-in, rallied gamely towards finish, just failed, 2nd of 6, shd behind Poetic Rhythm (11-7) at Newbury 2m 5f (1) hvy in Dec.
Pacific De Baune (FR) 7-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, 2nd travelling well 2 out, soon shaken up and switched left, led approaching last, ridden clear run-in, won at Newbury 2m mdn (4) sft in Dec beating Potterman (11-0) by 7l, 21 ran.
Santini 7-2 (10-12) Chased leader, led before last, 2 lengths ahead last, kept on well run-in, won at Newbury 2m 5f (3) sft in Dec beating Chef Des Obeaux (10-12) by 4 1/2l, 9 ran.
