held up, headway 8th, led 2 out, mistake and headed last, rallied to regain lead flat, stayed on well
with leader, not fluent 2nd, led approaching 5th, headed 11th, led again 12th, headed and jumped right 3 out, one pace and no impression on leading pair approaching last
held up, hit 3rd, headway after 8th, hit 4 out, mistake 3 out, weaken before 2 out, mistake last
led until approaching 5th, with leader until mistake 7th, (water) still in touch when badly hampered 10th, not recover and pulled up before 12th
chased leaders, challenged 9th, fell 10th
in touch, ridden after 12th, weaken approaching 2 out, blundered last
held up, headway on inside 11th, challenged next, led 3 out, headed 2 out, led again last, headed flat, stayed on
chased leaders, mistake 4th, went 2nd 7th, led 11th to 12th, hampered 3 out, 4th and one pace when mistake last
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Hot¿n¿Holy, Liberty Ben and Heltornic are the three to look at here and Hot¿n¿Holy gets the vote. Dual hurdle winner Heltornic proved herself to be just below the best over the smaller obstacles last season, but began this campaign well with a debut success over fences. She may have been slightly fortunate to score that day but she will be fitter and the trip is not a problem. Liberty Ben is a novice over hurdles despite several attempts last season but the bigger obstacles seem to have brought out the best in him. He was runner up at Cheltenham first time out and then justified favouritism in tenacious style last time. He will appreciate this longer trip and can give a good account. A full brother to Marello, Hot¿n¿Holy won first time out over fences at Chepstow. Trainer Paul Nicholls believes he can leave his hurdling form behind over the bigger obstacles, although the dual winner was no slouch last season. Hot¿n¿Holy will enjoy the distance and is likely to prove too good for the opposition.
Hot 'n' Holy 9-4fav (10-12) Towards rear, headway 13th, hampered 5 out, hit 4 out, ridden 2 out, led last, all out, won at Chepstow 3m nov chs (3) gd in Oct beating Lord Jay Jay (10-12) by 5l, 6 ran.
Heltornic (IRE) 9-1 (10-7) Led, jumped right throughout, headed 13th, mistake 3 out, ridden when left in lead last, driven out, won at Worcester 2m 7f beg chs (3) gs in Oct beating Nor'nor'east (11-0) by 2 1/2l, 12 ran.
Bengo (IRE) 11-2 (11-12) In touch, left disputing 2nd 12th, led after 4 out, headed 2 out, one pace, 2nd of 8, 3 1/2l behind Rakalackey (11-5) at Kempton 3m nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd.
Henry's Pride (IRE) 10-11fav (11-3) Led, saddle slipped 4 out, jumped right 2 out, soon headed, 2nd when badly hampered and left in lead last, soon headed, not recover, 3rd of 5, 4 1/2l behind Fisherman Jack (11-3) at Bangor 3m beg chs (4) sft in Mar.
Abraham Smith 33-1 (11-0) Always towards rear, 10th of 12, 48l behind Mr Pointment (11-0) at Bangor 2m 4f beg chs (4) gd.
Liberty Ben (IRE) 11-10fav (11-11) Tracked leaders, ridden 7th, mistake 9th, soon outpaced, ridden and headway approaching 3 out, stayed on to lead towards finish, won at Wetherby 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd beating Lord Ryeford (11-8) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
Irish Raptor (IRE) 13-8fav (11-7) Held up, closer order 11th, mistake 12th and unseated rider at the 13th in race won by Frosty Jak (11-7) at Chepstow 3m nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs, 8 ran.
Mistress Nell 50-1 (10-2) Badly hampered 1st, ridder lost irons and pulled up at the 2nd in race won by Carnival Town (10-7) at Chepstow 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gs, 16 ran.
John Diamond (IRE) 4-1 (11-6) Chased leaders, weakened after 4 out, behind when mistake last, 5th of 8, 17l behind Bishop's Bridge (11-8) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd.
Krakow Baba (FR) 18-1 (11-1) In touch, led after 9th, headed after 3 out, hit 2 out, weakened flat, 3rd of 18, 14l behind Piran (10-6) at Ludlow 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Jan.
