tracked leaders, pushed along 5th, lost place 4 out
mid-division, weakened 4 out
always behind, mistake 5th, never a factor
held up towards rear, struggling 4th, soon beaten
behind, pulled hard, under pressure 5th, behind when pulled up after 3 out
raced freely, led 2nd, hard driven 2 out, hit last, kept on well
chased leaders, hung right from 3 out, effort when blundered 2 out, no extra flat
led until 2nd, remained prominent, every chance 3 out, hampered next, stayed on under pressure
mid-division, headway 4 out, soon ridden and beaten
mid-division, headway 3 out, never on terms, modest 5th
prominent, effort when hampered 2 out, rallied closing stages, never reached winner
LITTLE DUTCH GIRL was beaten a fair way when favourite at Ludlow last month but appeared to resent the fitting of blinkers. The fourth has also run well at Doncaster since, however, so the form may not be as bad as first appears and, with the headgear dispensed with again, Nicky Henderson's filly can get her head in front today. Leviathan was a miler on the Flat and seems to be struggling to get home over hurdles but the better ground should help here while Uncle Roger is probably better than he showed at Sandown. Asker, second over course and distance last time, is improving and should be thereabouts while Royal Trooper was a winner on the Flat but may need this.
Asker (IRE) 5-1 (11-5) Chased leader until 3rd, chased winner from next, well held from 3 out, kept on for clear 2nd, 2nd of 12, 10l behind Valdez (11-11) at Plumpton 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Bright Abbey 6-1 (11-0) Held up, headway when not fluent 3 out, soon no impression, 7th of 14, well behind Shotavodka (11-3) at Taunton 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) hvy.
Clonusker (IRE) 150-1 (11-2) Took keen hold in 4th, went left and not fluent 1st or 5th, effort after 3 out, weakened before next, 5th of 6, well behind Tominator (11-9) at Sandown 2m nh nov hdl (4) hvy.
Exemplary 33-1 (11-3) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 5th, weakened before 3 out, tailed off, 11th of 13, well behind Top Gamble (11-3) at Ffos Las 2m nh nov hdl (4) hvy.
Fire King 16-1 (9-3) In touch, headway 2f out, ridden and went 2nd over 1f out, no impression when outpaced to 3rd final 110 yards, 3rd of 13, 2 1/4l behind Conducting (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 2f hacp 0-70 (5) pol in Jan (flat).
Irons On Fire (USA) 16-1 (9-0) In touch, led briefly after 2f, tracked leaders, ridden and outpaced over 2f out, kept on same pace, no impression from over 1f out, 4th of 7, 9l behind Icelander (9-1) at Lingfield 1m 4f clm stks (6) pol in Dec (flat).
Leviathan 9-1 (11-2) Took keen hold, led, clear 2nd until 5th, mistake 2 out, headed towards finish, 2nd of 6, 1 1/4l behind Tominator (11-9) at Sandown 2m nh nov hdl (4) hvy.
Ourmanmassini (IRE) 28-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, one pace from 3 out, 5th of 14, 17l behind Mr Watson (11-5) at Plumpton 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Royal Trooper (IRE) 8-1 (10-0) Chased leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out, 6th of 13, 14l behind De Rigueur (9-3) at Haydock 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) hvy in Sep (flat).
Shuh Shuh Gah (IRE) 11-1 (11-4) Mid-division, took keen hold, headway approaching 6th, weakened before 3 out, 5th of 16, 30l behind One Conemara (11-4) at Ludlow 2m 5f mdn hdl (4) sft.
Fromthestables Com (IRE) 7-1 (10-3) Soon with leaders, pushed along over 5f out, lost place over 2f out, 10th of 12, 28l behind Tidy Affair (10-4) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f am hcp 0-52 (6) pol (flat).
Shot In The Dark (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Pulled hard early, held up, not fluent 1st, effort after 5th, hit 3 out, weakened before 2 out, tailed off, 5th of 6, 45l behind Pistol (11-5) at Sandown 2m 4yo hdl (4) hvy.
Little Dutch Girl 6-4fav (10-5) Chased leaders, went 2nd well before 3 out until approaching 3 out, soon no extra in 3rd, 3rd of 9, 23l behind Angelot Du Berlais (10-12) at Ludlow 2m 4yo hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Uncle Roger (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Held up in 4th, weakened after 3 out, mistake next, tailed off, 6th of 7, 28l behind Knight Of Pleasure (10-9) at Sandown 2m 4yo hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
