tracked leader, took keen hold, not fluent, led approaching 5th, headed next, soon led again, headed 2 out, 3rd and beaten last
took keen hold, led, backed off 3rd, soon given reminders, headed approaching 5th, led next, soon headed, not fluent 7th, bad mistake 3 out, last and rider without irons for a while after, well behind, continued
held up in last, not fluent 4th, mistake 3rd, left 3rd 3 out, close up when hit 2 out, not fluent last, no impression
held up in 3rd, left 2nd 3 out, led 2 out, stayed on to draw clear flat
EXULTO won over hurdles on quick ground around here a year ago and was in decent form over the smaller obstacles in the autumn, finishing in the frame at Ffos Las and Stratford. His lack of a recent run is unlikely to impact his performance today and Philip Hobbs' charge can make a winning debut over fences against some exposed rivals. Haka Dancer was only beaten half-a-length by Seigneur Des Bois at Southwell earlier this month, however, and looks a better bet than Hi Tide, well beaten in all completed starts over the larger obstacles, and Shadrack, who fell on his chase debut at Haydock in October.
Exulto (IRE) 5-1 (10-11) Held up in touch, chased leaders approaching 2 out, soon ridden and weakened, 6th of 12, 17l behind Cheshire Prince (11-4) at Sandown 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Nov.
Haka Dancer (USA) 10-1 (10-5) Raced keenly, raced wide early, led 3rd to 5th, tracked leader, led again 8th, ridden 3 out, kept on until headed and no extra towards finish, 2nd of 7, 1/2l behind Seigneur Des Bois (11-12) at Southwell 2m nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd.
Hi Tide (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Pulled hard, tracked leading pair, led after 3rd, headed 9th, outpaced before 2 out, soon weakened, tailed off, last of 4, 49l behind Starluck (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m nov chs (3) sft in Feb.
Shadrack (IRE) 10-1 (11-12) Led, headed 3rd, led again 4th, headed 3 out, weakened 2 out, in 4th when fell last, in a race won by Kai Broon (10-0) at Newcastle 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs, 10 ran.
