tracked leaders, mistake 5th, went 2nd after next, not fluent 3 out, led 2 out, ridden clear and edged flat, ran on
jumped left, led until 4th, soon driven along, weakened after 6th
pressed leader, led 4th, headed 2 out, not fluent and beaten last
always behind, tailed off when went right 3 out
held up, took keen hold, not fluent 2nd, headway 6th, went 3rd approaching 3 out, no impression, weakened next
tracked leaders, not always fluent, ridden and no impression approaching 3 out
held up, headway on outside 6th, still looked to be travelling well when leaders went clear 3 out, went 3rd 2 out, no impression
Aviso, six times a winner on the Flat, makes his hurdling debut in this lowly grade and has been in reasonable form recently. Platinum scored on the Flat in France and didn't run badly over the C&D last time while Tayarat, who has won here in the past, gained a shock success in a Huntingdon handicap last month. Agente Romano has gone backwards over hurdles but NUMEN is well up to taking this as he completed a hat-trick on fast ground before finding higher class and much softer going too much to handle at Cheltenham. Pillar Of Hercules hasn't won since arriving in this country from Ireland but ran very well in a similar race to this at Huntingdon three weeks ago.
Platinum (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, went 3rd before 3 out, ridden before last, one pace, 3rd of 11, 14l behind Agent Archie (11-0) at Ludlow 2m mdn hdl (5) gd.
Tayarat (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Jumped left, led, ridden and headed 5th, soon ridden, weakened 2 out, last of 8, 38l behind Right Stuff (11-12) at Huntingdon 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs.
Numen (IRE) 16-1 (11-6) Mid-division, no impression after 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off, last of 17, well behind Edgardo Sol (11-9) at Cheltenham 2m nov hcp hdl (3) gs.
Marafong 200-1 (10-9) Always behind, last of 18, well behind Distime (10-12) at Bangor 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gs.
Aviso (GER) 16-1 (9-4) Held up towards rear and keen, pushed along over 3f out, never dangerous, last of 12, 7l behind Berbice (9-3) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-62 (6) pol (flat).
Agente Romano (USA) 11-4 (11-7) Tracked leaders, hit 1st, led 4th until next, pushed along in 4th after 7th, no impression when not fluent 4 out, went 3rd after 2 out, 3rd of 5, 21l behind River Rhapsody (10-6) at Ludlow 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf in Oct.
Pillar of Hercules (IRE) 4-1 (9-12) Raced keenly, mid-division, headway 4 out, tracked leaders going well between last 2, shaken up to challenge and every chance flat, held towards finish, 2nd of 8, 1l behind Folk Tune (10-6) at Huntingdon 2m clm hdl (4) gd in Oct.
