tracked leader until 10th, chased leading pair, reminder after 13th, mistake next, blundered and weakened 4 out
sometimes jumped right, led, ridden before 14th, went right 3 out, joined and tired last, headed and no extra flat
took keen hold early and kept out wide, tracked leaders, switched left and went 2nd before 2 out, upsides last, ridden to lead flat, stayed on well and on top in closing stages
held up in 4th, headway to 3rd 9th, went 2nd next, ridden and lost 2nd approaching 2 out, one pace and no impression on leading duo before last
O'Faolains Boy completed a hat-trick in a bumper and over hurdles around a year ago and hasn't been seen since attempting to make all in the Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham where he led to the last before being swamped. Gullinbursti reappeared after a long break to score very easily at Market Rasen then reverted to hurdles and ran well for a long way in a Haydock Grade 3. HADRIAN'S APPROACH, third in the RSA at Cheltenham, returned to action in the Hennessy where he didn't get far. He'll find this slightly less daunting and can make amends. Super Duty pulled up in the Hennessy but had shown enough previously to be given a chance though he was two lengths behind Poungach at Haydock last November and is no better off at the weights.
Poungach (FR) 13-2 (11-12) Mid-division, pushed along 12th, ridden 2 out (usual 3 out), plugged on from last (usual 2 out), never on terms, 4th of 13, 10l behind Standing Ovation (10-2) at Wincanton 3m 1f listed hcp chs (1) gs in Nov.
Super Duty (IRE) 14-1 (11-2) In touch, blundered 5th, reminders and lost place 9th, tailed off when hampered 14th, pulled up before 17th, in a race won by Triolo D'Alene (11-1) at Newbury 3m 2f Grade 3 hcp chs (4yo+) (1) gd in Nov, 21 ran.
Hadrian's Approach (IRE) 12-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, mistake and unseated rider 5th, in a race won by Triolo D'Alene (11-1) at Newbury 3m 2f Grade 3 hcp chs (4yo+) (1) gd in Nov, 21 ran.
Gullinbursti (IRE) 11-2fav (11-7) Mid-division, headway to chase leaders 4th, ridden to challenge 2 out, weakened flat, 5th of 17, 9l behind Gevrey Chambertin (11-7) at Haydock 3m hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) sft in Nov.
O'Faolains Boy (IRE) 16-1 (11-7) Led, not fluent 2nd, jumped right 7th, headed approaching last, weakened flat, 4th of 13, 18l behind At Fishers Cross (11-7) at Cheltenham 3m nov hdl Grade 1 (1) sft in Mar.
