tracked leader until 3rd, disputing 2nd from 6th, weakened tamely 3 out, driven into poor 3rd towards finish
not fluent, held up behind leading trio, not fluent 8th, hit 4 out, challenged and not fluent 3 out, going best and led narrowly last, ridden out to assert final 110 yards
led driven and headed approaching 3 out, no chance with leading duo when blundered next, lost poor 3rd towards finish
took keen hold, tracked leader 3rd, led approaching 3 out, joined and hit 2 out, driven soon after, narrowly headed last, stayed challenging under pressure and every chance until no extra final 110 yards
Arkose and Aiteen Thirtythree have both shown a decent level of form and have to be respected in this novices' hurdle but it is hard to get away from the selection, BE THERE IN FIVE. Nicky Henderson's gelding showed progressive form in points in Ireland and looked one to keep on the right side of when making a winning debut over hurdles at Chepstow in November and, although he was beaten behind Bangor Kate subsequently last month; that form is still decent and he looks to have solid claims of resuming winning ways here. Mark Tompkins does not have the same success with his hurdlers as he used to do but his runner here, No Rules, won well at Fakenham last month and has to be considered but this is tougher. Hurricane Electric is readily discounted and of more interest is Oliver Sherwood's Arkose, who has lost no caste in defeat in his last two starts having won well at Huntingdon on his hurdling debut. The Paul Nicholls-trained Aiteen Thirtythree was highly tried on his first start over timber in a grade 2 contest at Chepstow before chasing home Adams Island over course and distance and he looks the main threat to the selection, Be There In Five.
Arkose (IRE) 14-1 (11-5) Led, driven approaching 2 out, soon pressed, ridden and headed before last, kept on, no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 3l behind Finian's Rainbow (11-8) at Ascot 2m 3f nov hdl (3) gs in Feb.
Be There In Five (IRE) 11-4 (11-5) Tracked leaders, chased winner after 6th, ridden after 9th, lost 2nd 3 out, kept battling for position thereafter, no chance with winner, 3rd of 7, 18l behind Silver Kate (11-1) at Bangor 3m nov hdl (3) gs in Feb.
No Rules 3-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, led 2nd, soon headed, lead again 4 out, stayed on strongly, won at Fakenham 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) sft in Jan beating Firm Order (11-5) by 2 3/4l, 14 ran.
Aiteen Thirtythree (IRE) 7-4fav (11-0) Held up in rear, not fluent 7th, steady headway after 4 out, chased winner from 3 out, about 2 lengths down when mistake 2 out, soon ridden and beaten, 2nd of 10, 6l behind Adams Island (11-0) at Newbury 3m mdn hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Hurricane Electric (IRE) 100-1 (11-4) Took keen hold, always in rear, ridden and blundered 7th, no chance when slightly hampered on inside, on bend after 3 out, 5th of 12, well behind Sarando (11-4) at Lingfield 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Feb.
