tracked leaders, not fluent 10th, ridden after 14th, weakened approaching 2 out
tracked leader 2nd, not fluent next, led 4th, not fluent 11th (water), hit 12th, headed next, led approaching 3 out, strongly pressed next, held on, all out
led until 4th, tracked winner, not fluent 10th, led 13th, headed approaching 3 out, one pace from next
tracked leader until 2nd, soon last, lost touch 7th, behind next, tailed off 4 out, pulled up after
tracked leaders, not fluent, reminder after 3rd, mistake 5th, reminder after 10th, went 2nd 3 out, every chance when bad mistake 2 out, stayed challenging, just held towards finish
Semi Colon was just beaten in a competitive handicap hurdle at Cheltenham on her reappearance and has obvious claims if taking to the larger obstacles. But we were impressed with LEXICON LAD's two-length defeat of Kempton winner Loch Ba at Warwick and he should be capable of going on to better things. Henrietta Knight's five-year-old is 7lb better off here but that may not be enough to turn the tables on the progressive winner. Trafalgar Road finished a long way in front of Silver Accord over hurdles here after a break and should strip fitter today. He's also worth noting for future reference.
Semi Colon (FR) 5-1fav (10-8) Mid-division, ridden and headway approaching 3 out, went 3rd when mistake and rider lost iron briefly 2 out, chased winner before last, kept on to close flat, just failed, 2nd of 23, hd behind Decoy (11-6) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Nov.
Trafalgar Road (IRE) 13-2 (11-6) Took keen hold, held up in rear, good headway on inside to chase leaders before 2 out, mistake 2 out, weakened from last, 8th of 18, 7l behind Enfant De Lune (11-4) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Nov.
Lexicon Lad (IRE) 5-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, led 12th, made rest, came clear from 2 out, easily, won at Warwick 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Nov beating Loch Ba (11-9) by 2 1/4l, 11 ran.
Silver Accord (IRE) 18-1 (11-4) Mid-division, weakened after 3 out, 16th of 18, 38l behind Enfant De Lune (11-4) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Nov.
Loch Ba (IRE) 11-4fav (11-9) Held up and behind, mistakes 3rd and 11th, headway on inside approaching 3 out, 3rd from 2 out, went 2nd last, kept on flat, no impression on winner, 2nd of 11, 2 1/4l behind Lexicon Lad (11-12) at Warwick 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Nov.