chased leaders, led after 4 out, hung left from 2 out, jumped left last, ran on well
held up, slow 1st, weakened 4 out
led, joined 5 out, headed after next, weakened before 3 out
mid-division, under pressure 4 out, soon beaten
in touch, took closer order 5 out, under pressure before 3 out, weakened next
in touch, ran in snatches, chased leaders 4 out, ridden to challenge after next, kept on under pressure
mid-division, headway to chase leaders 3 out, weakened before last
tracked leader, effort 3 out, weakened approaching next
mid-division, lost place 4 out, tailed off next, pulled up before last
chased leaders, slow 1st and soon in rear, stumbled badly on landing and unseated rider next
NORDIC COMBINED has leading claims on these terms. He came up against subsequent Tolworth Hurdle fourth Rathhill when runner-up in maiden company at Newbury last month and David Pipe’s charge should have the measure of Colonel Custard in this. The latter is penalised for an earlier success in a novices' race at Newton Abbot though still finished second at Bangor last time. Both Milanstorm and Eva's Oskar were well beaten when placing on their respective latest starts but No Rematch is preferred having found only one too good over track and trip on his racecourse debut in November.
Colonel Custard (IRE) 7-2 (11-5) Keen, tracked winner, ridden 2 out, kept on one pace, 2nd of 18, 1 1/4l behind The Some Dance Kid (11-5) at Bangor 2m 1f (4) sft in Dec.
Eva's Oskar (IRE) 6-1 (10-12) Chased leaders on inside, pushed along and lost place before 3rd, rallied in modest 4th on long run before 2 out, went 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 10, 18l behind Monsieur Lecoq (10-12) at Ffos Las 2m mdn (4) hvy in Dec.
Global Rhapsody (IRE) 9-4fav (10-10) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 8th of 11, dist behind Kitikat (10-10) at Southwell 2m (5) gd in May.
Khairagash (FR) 25-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, went 2nd before 4th until before 3 out, chased leaders, weakened before 2 out, 8th of 9, 28 3/4l behind Extra Mag (11-3) at Exeter 2m 1f (4) gs in Jan.
Milanstorm (IRE) 11-4 (11-0) Prominent, ridden before 3 out, weakened before next, 3rd of 9, 20l behind Lomachenko (11-0) at Leicester 2m 4f mdn (3) gd in Dec.
Musical Slave (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) In touch, under pressure 4 out, weakened next, 6th of 17, 20 1/4l behind Getaway Trump (11-4) at Exeter 2m 1f (4) hvy in Dec.
Nordic Combined (IRE) 6-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, went 2nd and kept on run-in, not pace of winner, 2nd of 20, 1 1/2l behind Rathhill (11-0) at Newbury 2m mdn (4) sft in Dec.
No Rematch (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Mid-division, pushed along 4f out, headway in centre 2f out, kept on into 2nd inside final furlong, no chance with easy winner, 2nd of 10, 9l behind Thor De Cerisy (10-12) at Ffos Las 2m (5) sft in Nov.
Press Gang 10-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, weakened before 3 out, 7th of 9, 26 1/4l behind Extra Mag (11-3) at Exeter 2m 1f (4) gs in Jan.
Red Emperor (IRE) 200-1 (11-5) Mid-division, weakened from 3 out, 13th of 16, dist behind Winston C (11-5) at Wincanton 1m 7f mdn (5) gd in Jan.
Chica Rapida 250-1 (10-5) In touch when veered right and unseated rider 1st, at Exeter 2m 1f (3) sft in Nov.
Karakoram 40-1 (10-12) Raced keenly, always towards rear, 7th of 10, 20 1/2l behind Friend Or Foe (10-12) at Taunton 2m (4) gs in Dec.
