led until 1st, prominent, ridden 3 out, reached at 2 out, stayed on flat, unable to challenge
took keen hold, not always fluent, prominent, challenging when bumped 3 out, went left and led next, went left and hit last, ran on
held up in rear, mistake 5th, well beaten before 3 out
slowly away, always behind, tailed off
mid-division, outpaced and no impression before 3 out, stayed on flat
chased leaders on inside, mistakes 5th and 6th, ridden before 3 out, went 2nd flat, ran on
mid-division, blundered 2nd, not fluent 4th, no impression before 3 out, modest 8th when blundered 2 out
went left start and slowly away, recovered to lead 1st, jumped right and bumped 3 out, headed next, switched right after last, no extra towards finish
chased leaders on outside, not fluent and lost place 3rd, in touch after 6th, soon ridden, weakened before 3 out
tracked leaders, took keen hold, not fluent 3rd, one pace 3 out, mistake 2 out, weakened before last
took keen hold, mid-division, mistake 1st, headway before 5th, ridden and weakened before mistake 3 out
jumped right towards rear, well beaten before 3 out
chased leaders, not fluent 2nd, outpaced before 3 out, no impression when mistake 2 out
towards rear, mistake 4th, well behind after 6th, pulled up before 3 out
Armchair Theatre was a bit disappointing when only third on his hurdles bow at Ffos Las considering he was a useful sort in bumpers but should have learned from that. Baltic Storm is edging closer to a first success over timber while Banyu is an interesting debutant for the Hobbs team given he won three times in minor company on the Flat in France. He is preferred to another French import, Un Prophete, who looks a prospective chaser. Spa's Dancer and Marshgate Lane were both useful on the Flat but have yet to really shine over hurdles. MAGIC MUSIC MAN (NAP) ran well for a long way at Kempton at the start of the month and was lightly raced on the level. He should have plenty more to offer so gets the nod.
Armchair Theatre (IRE) 9-4fav (10-12) Mid-division, headway 5th, ridden and one pace in 3rd 2 out, no extra flat, 3rd of 7, 14l behind Ma du Fou (10-12) at Ffos Las 2m (4) hvy in Nov.
Banyu (FR) 12-1 (9-4) 3rd of 11, 4 3/4l behind Campillo (9-4) at Longchamp 1m 2f stks gd in Apr.
Black Hawk (IRE) 20-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, headway before 3f out, went 4th before 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 9, 35 1/4l behind Coole Charmer (11-2) at Towcester 2m mdn (6) gs in Apr.
Culworth Boy (IRE) 80-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, tailed off before 4 out, 12th of 13, dist behind The Gipper (11-0) at Chepstow 2m mdn (4) sft in Nov.
Guaracha 40-1 (11-0) Always towards rear, blundered and rider lost iron briefly 5th, never a factor, 8th of 13, 35 3/4l behind Itsnowcato (11-0) at Plumpton 2m mdn (5) gd in Nov.
Magic Music Man 5-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway 4 out, chased leaders next, effort 2 out, weakened last, 5th of 7, 10 1/2l behind Imperial Presence (10-12) at Kempton 2m (4) gd in Nov.
Marshgate Lane (USA) 12-1 (10-12) Tracked leader, challenged 2 out in 3rd and one pace from last until lost 3rd place close home, 4th of 12, 23 1/2l behind Vancouverite (11-5) at Sedgefield 2m 1f (4) gd in Oct.
Spa's Dancer (IRE) 12-1 (9-0) Held up in last pair, modest 7th over 1f out, never involved, 7th of 13, 17 1/2l behind Passover (8-7) at Newbury 1m 2f hcp (2) sft in Oct.
Un Prophete (FR) (10-5) 5th of 15, 20l behind Bon Augure (11-0) at Auteuil 2m 1f hvy in May.
Cassie 33-1 (9-7) Tracked leader until over 6f out, soon weakened, last of 15, dist behind Blue Sea Of Ibrox (9-7) at Pontefract 1m 4f mdn stks (5) gs in Oct.
La Pyle (FR) 10-1 (10-10) Took keen hold, wandered into some of the hurdles, tracked leader, led after 2nd, headed 4th, 3rd and beaten 3 out, soon weakened, 3rd of 5, dist behind Smart Talk (10-10) at Worcester 2m (4) gs in Oct.
Midtech Valentine 10-1 (10-5) Led early, soon restrained, led again after about 3f, took keen hold, ridden and headed over 1f out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 13, 10l behind Waterlord (10-12) at Stratford 2m mdn (5) gd in May.
Miss Mash 100-1 (11-5) Held up, closed 3rd, mistake and lost place 6th, well beaten 3 out, 8th of 14, dist behind Out Of The Mist (11-5) at Uttoxeter 2m mdn (5) gs in Oct.
Rectitude 200-1 (10-7) Chased leaders, weakened after 3 out, eased run-in, last of 13, dist behind Itsnowcato (11-0) at Plumpton 2m mdn (5) gd in Nov.
Baltic Storm (IRE) 4-1fav (11-0) Took keen hold, chased leaders, 2nd 2 out, driven and stayed on run-in, always held, 2nd of 13, 3l behind Itsnowcato (11-0) at Plumpton 2m mdn (5) gd in Nov.
