held up in touch, pushed along before 3 out, weakened from 2 out
tracked leaders, ridden to lead before last, ran on well
held up mid-division, weakened from 4 out, tailed off, pulled up
held up towards rear and keen, headway before 2 out, ridden before last, one pace
held up mid-division, outpaced before 3 out, kept on from last
led, clear from 3 out, headed before last, weakened run-in
held up towards rear, headway before 3 out, chased winner from last, no impression
in rear, headway before 4 out, ridden before 2 out, one pace
with leader, ridden after last, one pace
Hunters Hoof is unbeaten in three starts over timber and showed real battling qualities to land an Aintree handicap last month. He has gone up 9lb and his victories have all come on good going so more rain may well hamper his chances. The form of the David Pipe stable had been a concern before a winner during the week and UNANIMITE is entitled to be the selection here after his excellent run in a Listed handicap at Ascot three weeks ago when he might have won but for a mistake at the last. Rock The Kasbah reappeared with a fine run behind shock winner Court Minstrel in a Chepstow Grade 3 and a 5lb rise looks manageable and Avidity looked to be a progressive type when chasing home Aristo Du Plessis at Ayr. Gunner Fifteen is the unknown of the race as he reappeared at this time a year ago in a novice event on heavy ground at Uttoxeter and came home virtually alone despite being heavily eased.
Hunters Hoof (IRE) 11-2 (10-8) Tracked leaders in 4th, headway on outer 4 out, went 2nd before next, ridden to challenge after last, led narrowly flat, kept on towards finish, won at Aintree 2m 4f hcp (2) gd in Oct beating Work In Progress (10-5) by 1l, 6 ran.
Rock The Kasbah (IRE) 10-1 (10-8) Prominent, led after 3 out, headed after next, edged right and led again last, headed and not pace of winner flat, 2nd of 17, 2l behind Court Minstrel (11-12) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp (1) gd in Oct.
Avidity 11-2 (10-9) Tracked leaders in 3rd, every chance 2 out, ridden before last, went 2nd place last 100 yards, kept on, 2nd of 11, 2l behind Aristo Du Plessis (10-3) at Ayr 2m hcp (2) gs in Oct.
Stilletto (IRE) 10-1 (11-9) Prominent, took keen hold, led after 2nd, headed 2 out, soon weakened, 8th of 9, dist behind Ordo Ab Chao (11-9) at Cheltenham 2m 4f (1) sft in Jan.
Oscarteea (IRE) 11-4fav (11-6) Trcked leaders in 3rd, outpaced and dropped rear 4 out, plugged on to take 2nd place towards finish, no chance with winner, 2nd of 6, 4 1/2l behind Thorpe (11-0) at Haydock 2m lst (1) sft in Nov.
Vendor (FR) 9-2fav (11-10) Prominent, led after 3rd, headed next, led again after 4 out, headed before next, rallied after last, stayed on well under pressure, 2nd of 11, 1 1/4l behind Kayf Blanco (11-11) at Wetherby 2m hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Aerlite Supreme (IRE) 33-1 (10-8) Chased leader until approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 9th of 11, 12 3/4l behind Nabucco (10-5) at Ascot 2m hcp lst (1) gd in Oct.
Jet Master (IRE) 12-1 (10-4) In rear, headway before 3 out, ridden before 2 out, weakened last, 5th of 11, 14 1/2l behind Aristo Du Plessis (10-3) at Ayr 2m hcp (2) gs in Oct.
Gunner Fifteen (IRE) 1-2fav (10-12) Raced keenly, made all, clear before 3rd until approaching 4th, clear again approaching next, hit 3 out, soon well in command, hit last, unchallenged, won at Uttoxeter 2m (4) hvy in Nov beating Detank (10-12) by 16l, 7 ran.
Unanimite (FR) 12-1 (10-5) Held up last, headway approaching 2 out, disputing 2nd when blundered last, kept on into outright 2nd inside final 150 yards, not reach winner, 2nd of 11, 3/4l behind Nabucco (10-5) at Ascot 2m hcp lst (1) gd in Oct.
