led to after 1st, tracked leaders, outpaced 2 out, no impression approaching last
held up behind, headway 3 out, every chance last, ridden and kept on same pace flat
raced keenly, held up mid-division, headway 3 out, effort and every chance when blundered last, not recover
raced keenly, led after 1st, headed narrowly approaching 3 out, regained lead next, ridden and stayed on well flat
chased leaders, effort after 4 out, every chance last, ridden and weakened flat
tracked leaders on inside, effort 2 out, ridden and stayed on well flat, went 2nd near finish, not reached winner
mid-division, mistake and dropped to rear 3rd, outpaced 3 out, ridden and stayed on flat, never reached leaders
mid-division, in touch 4 out, outpaced next, weakened from 2 out
tracked leader, led narrowly before 3 out, headed next, every chance last, ridden and kept on flat, held when lost 2nd near finish
mid-division, headway on wide outside after 4 out, outpaced next, no impression approaching last
towards rear, chased leaders under pressure approaching 2 out, kept on same pace, no impression
Nonrunner
Marsh Warbler wasn't beaten far despite finishing fifth in a Listed handicap at Ascot last month after setting only a modest pace. That didn't suit DESERT CRY, who never got into it, but Donald McCain's hurdler should get a proper pace on the likely fast ground here. He gets the vote to improve on November's win at Haydock and land this. Rumble Of Thunder's winning run came to an end at Newbury off a 9lb higher mark last time, but Gordonsville is open to further progress having won over a longer trip here last time. Higgy's Boy and Banyan Tree have something to prove in this higher grade, hoever, while Alsahil just got the better of Makbullet in a maiden hurdle at this track last month and both will find life much tougher today.
Marsh Warbler 20-1 (10-8) Led, headed approaching 2 out, rallied last, stayed on well closing stages, 5th of 16, 2 3/4l behind Raya Star (10-1) at Ascot 2m Listed hcp hdl (1) sft in Dec.
Desert Cry (IRE) 12-1 (10-10) Pulled hard, held up towards rear, headway 3 out, soon no impression, 14th of 16, 16l behind Raya Star (10-1) at Ascot 2m Listed hcp hdl (1) sft in Dec.
Rumble Of Thunder (IRE) 22-1 (11-3) Held up towards rear on outside, blundered 3rd, ridden 5th, soon lost touch, tailed off, 10th of 11, well behind Rock On Ruby (11-10) at Newbury 2m Listed hcap hdle (1) gs in Nov.
Palawi (IRE) 66-1 (10-11) With leaders, led 2nd to next, lost place 4 out, soon behind, 19th of 23, 44l behind Brampour (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) gs in Nov.
Higgy's Boy (IRE) 25-1 (11-9) In touch, outpaced approaching 3 out, soon rallied, chased winner next, ridden and kept on same pace approaching last, no impression flat, lost 2nd near finish, 3rd of 18, 7l behind Ubi Ace (11-5) at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft in Nov.
Nine Stories (IRE) 20-1 (11-11) Held up towards rear on outer, ridden and reminders and in rear before 3 out, soon weakened, last of 6, 42l behind Dubai Crest (10-6) at Doncaster 2m Handicap Hurdle (0-140) (3yo+) (3) gs in Dec.
Gordonsville 4-1 (11-11) Held up mid-division, headway before 8th, chased leaders before 3 out, in 3rd when blundered 2 out, kept on gamely to lead close home, won at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gd in Dec beating Fairynuff (10-12) by 1/2l, 12 ran.
Banyan Tree (IRE) 4-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, led before 3 out, pressed from 2 out, kept on well towards finish, driven out, won at Ludlow 2m nov clm hdl (5) gd in Dec beating Numen (10-9) by 2l, 15 ran.
Alsahil (USA) 9-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders, led narrowly before 3 out, headed narrowly 2 out, regained lead last 100 yards, just held on, won at Musselburgh 2m mdn hdl (5) gd in Dec beating Makbullet (11-0) by ns, 14 ran.
Makbullet 15-2 (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway before 4 out, challenged 3 out, led narrowly 2 out, headed last 100 yards, rallied towards finish, just held, 2nd of 14, ns behind Alsahil (10-7) at Musselburgh 2m mdn hdl (5) gd in Dec.
Dhaular Dhar (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Mid-division, blundered 3rd, headway after 4 out, weakened 2 out, 11th of 13, well behind Simply Ned (11-8) at Musselburgh 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Dec.
Silk Drum (IRE) 16-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders, hit 3rd, lost place 7th, behind from next, tailed off when jumped right 2 out, 6th of 7, dis behind Charingworth (9-7) at Wetherby 2m hcp chs 0-150 (2) sft in Dec.
