always in rear, not fluent 2nd, tailed off before 7th
chased leaders, weakening when hit 3 out, soon behind, tailed off
in touch on inside, headway 7th, chased leaders before 3 out, went 2nd well before 2 out, disputing 2nd when left clear 2nd and slightly hampered 2 out, soon no chance with very easy winner
mid-division, reminders after 3rd, ridden before 7th, soon behind, disputing poor 6th and no chance when pulled up before 2 out
led, ridden and headed soon after 3 out, weakened to 4th before next
mid-division, headway 7th, chased leading trio after 3 out, staying on and challenging for well held 2nd when fell 2 out
mid-division, ridden after 4th, struggling after 6th, no chance from next, tailed off
held up in rear, pushed along before 5th, headway 7th, ridden in 5th after 3 out, stayed on inside in straight, left modest 3rd and hit 2 out
mid-division, behind from 7th, tailed off
chased leaders, ridden before 4th, weakened before next, soon behind, tailed off and pulled up before 7th
took keen hold, chased leaders, went 2nd and challenged 7th, led soon after 3 out, came effortlessly clear from next, canter
towards rear, ridden 5th, headway to get in behind leaders 7th, weakened soon after 3 out, tailed off
mid-division, weakened after 7th, soon behind, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
held up in rear, headway 7th, ridden in modest 9th under pressure after 3 out, pulled up before next
raced wide, chased leaders, went 2nd 5th until 7th, weakened 3 out, tailed off and pulled up before next
towards rear, miske 6th, modest 8th after 3 out, tailed off
chased leader until ridden before 5th, weakened before 7th, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
towards rear and never travelled, reminders after 4th, tailed off and pulled up before 7th
The majority of these are thoroughly exposed but Cloudy Wager ran her best race so far when runner-up at Plumpton last time. Royal Kicks has won off a higher mark over fences and has to be considered on that fact alone, while the consistent Nobby Kivambo was just beaten off this mark over a similar trip at Towcester in the autumn and has the beating of El Diego on recent Ffos Las running. Pere Blanc won a bumper here last season but three hurdles runs this term have offered little encouragement so the vote goes to ORIGINAL PRANKSTER. There was some promise in his first two starts over timber and he simply got outpaced at Huntingdon last time. The extra today should suit and the six-year-old doesn't look overburdened on his handicap bow.
Mossini (IRE) 40-1 (11-5) Towards rear, pushed along before 6th, made some modest late headway, never in contention, tailed off, 7th of 14, 47l behind Accordintolawrence (11-2) at Fontwell 2m 2f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Princely Hero (IRE) 20-1 (11-3) Chased leaders uintil ridden and lost place 6th, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Silver Accord (11-7) at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Oct, 11 ran.
Russian Epic 16-1 (10-12) Mid-division, ridden 4th, lost place after 3 out, 12th of 16, 31l behind Minnie Hill (10-8) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Jan.
El Diego (IRE) 25-1 (11-2) Held up, some headway 3 out, never dangerous, 6th of 12, 23l behind Gilwen Glory (10-11) at Ffos Las 3m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Jan.
Nobby Kivambo (IRE) 18-1 (10-13) Led, driven when hit and headed 3 out, weakened next, 4th of 12, 6l behind Gilwen Glory (10-11) at Ffos Las 3m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Jan.
Original Prankster (IRE) 50-1 (10-13) Mid-division on outside, weakened after 3 out, 7th of 13, 33l behind Spirit Son (11-12) at Huntingdon 2m NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (4) sft in Jan.
Royal Kicks (FR) 10-1 (10-9) In touch, weakened before 3 out, tailed off, 10th of 14, 48l behind Awesome Freddie (11-12) at Taunton 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Jan.
Life Of A Luso (IRE) 6-1 (11-4) Mid-division, 9th halfway, ridden in 6th after 4 out, soon no extra, tailed off, 10th of 14, well behind Galway Legend (11-1) at Downpatrick 2m 7f hcp chs 0-95 gf in Sep.
Smoking (FR) 100-1 (11-6) Held up behind, headway and in touch 7th, ridden and outpaced approaching last, soon weakened, 7th of 10, 29l behind Ballabriggs (11-6) at Wincanton 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Star King (IRE) 100-1 (11-5) Mid-division, went right on landing 1st, struggling 5th, 12th of 16, well behind Cucumber Run (11-5) at Huntingdon 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Pere Blanc (IRE) 40-1 (11-5) Held up in rear, never in contention, 9th of 16, well behind Cucumber Run (11-5) at Huntingdon 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Cloudy Wager 9-1 (11-3) In touch on outside, went 2nd at 7th, outpaced when hit 3 out, soon ridden and no impression, plugged on from next, no chance with winner, 2nd of 9, 16l behind Rith Bob (11-3) at Plumpton 2m 5f mares NH nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
The Old Buccaneer (IRE) 10-1 (11-1) Prominent, hit 4th, under pressure 3 out, soon weakened, 4th of 7, 42l behind All For Free (11-4) at Fakenham 2m nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
Across The Straits (FR) 16-1 (10-9) Held up behind, headway when stumbled and lost place bend after 3 out, not recover, weakened from next, last of 11, 38l behind Arrayan (10-5) at Wincanton 2m nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Jan.
Pikasso (FR) 20-1 (11-4) Not fluent 1st, behind, ridden and struggling 5th, behind and blundered next, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Salpierre (11-9) at Warwick 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in Nov, 14 ran.
Peveril Pandora 7-1 (10-12) Mid-division on outside, outpaced 3 out, ridden next, kept on same pace, never on terms, 6th of 11, 22l behind Arrayan (10-5) at Wincanton 2m nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Jan.
Chervonet (IRE) 50-1 (11-5) Mid-division, headway 6th, soon chasing leaders, weakened 4 out, 4th of 12, well behind Camden (11-5) at Fakenham 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) sft in Jan.
Beau Colonel (FR) 150-1 (11-5) Always towards rear, 10th of 14, well behind Spanish Treasure (11-5) at Hereford 2m 1f mdn hdl (5) sft in Jan.
