soon led, headed 4 out, weakened after 3 out, pulled up before last
tracked leaders, went 2nd from 3 out, weakened 2 out
led early, chased leaders, weakened before 4 out, tailed off, pulled up before last
tracked leader, led 4 out, headed before 2 out, one pace in 3rd
held up mid-division, headway before 3 out, led before 2 out, ridden before last, headed run-in, kept on
always towards rear, fell last
tracked leaders, ridden 2 out, weakened before last
held up towards rear, headway before 3 out, ridden before last, led run-in, kept on
always towards rear, weakened before 3 out
Nicky Henderson, who saddled the winner of this in 2014, has four runners this year. Phobiaphiliac has the beating of Lithic on the form book but Reigning Supreme may prove the pick of the quartet despite making his debut under Rules. Joe Farrell has scope for further improvement while Any Drama had decent for in bumpers in Ireland last season. CHOCALA was third on his hurdling debut here three years ago. He's made a successful return from injury on the Flat this year and can start making for lost time. Waterloo Warrior looks best of the rest.
Phobiaphiliac (IRE) 1-4fav (11-5) Took keen hold, made all, not fluent 4th, shaken up before last, clear flat, stayed on well, won at Lingfield 2m 3f (4) gd in Nov beating Lithic (10-12) by 9l, 9 ran.
Joe Farrell (IRE) 5-2 (10-12) Keen close up, tracked leader 3 out, ridden and every chance next, led and hit last, ran on, won at Ffos Las 2m 4f mdn (5) gd in Nov beating Keeper Hill (10-12) by 5l, 13 ran.
Kingston Mimosa 8-1 (11-5) Led briefly, dropped back to last before 1st, not fluent and reminders 5th, soon lost touch, tailed off, last of 3, dist behind Major Mac (10-12) at Newbury 2m 5f (4) gd in Nov.
Alpha Male (FR) 9-2fav (11-10) Tracked leaders, pushed along and lost place over 4f out, 7th of 14, 14 3/4l behind Monty's Award (11-10) at Worcester 2m (5) gd in Oct.
Any Drama (IRE) 20-1 (11-4) Made most, driven and headed over 2f out, lost place over 1f out, one pace, 6th of 17, 12 1/2l behind Bacardys (11-4) at Aintree 2m 1f (1) gs in Apr.
Chocala (IRE) 9-2 (9-8) Held up towards rear, headway on inside under pressure over 1f out, plugged on inside final furlong, never going pace to threaten, 6th of 12, 4 1/4l behind Faithful Mount (9-2) at Haydock 1m 6f hcp (2) gd in Sep.
Classico Dais (FR) Al Namix gelding out of Fabema.
Le Dauphin (IRE) 16-1 (11-2) In touch, outpaced over 2f out, edged left and plugged on again final furlong, 4th of 15, 25 3/4l behind Jenkins (10-10) at Newbury 2m (6) gd in Apr.
Lithic (IRE) 5-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, not fluent 4 out, went 2nd before next, no impression flat, 2nd of 9, 9l behind Phobiaphiliac (11-5) at Lingfield 2m 3f (4) gd in Nov.
Reigning Supreme (IRE) 4-1 (11-10) Ww in mid div, 4th 4out & 6th bef 2out when hdwy, chall & ev ch last, sow, not get to wnr, 2nd of 12, 2l behind Big Meadow (11-10) at Maralin 3m mdn hvy in Nov.
Waterloo Warrior (IRE) 5-4fav (11-0) Mid-division, wandered before 1st, headway before 5th to go 2nd, led before last, kept on and caught post, 2nd of 7, shd behind Burton Boru (11-0) at Chepstow 2m 3f mdn (4) gd in Nov.
General Bux 11-2 (11-0) Led and disputed, led 4f out, ridden and headed entering final 3f, chased leaders, weakened inside final 2f, 5th of 9, 10 3/4l behind Full Irish (11-0) at Sandown 2m (5) sft in Nov.
