led, ridden after last, headed final 75 yards, not pace of winner
mid-division, headway after 3 out, went 2nd and hit 2 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace
towards rear, some headway when mistake 2 out, weakened
held up towards rear, some late progress, never a factor
mid-division until mistake 3 out, soon weakened
chased leader, ridden approaching 2 out, soon one pace
not fluent 1st, always mid-division
mid-division, headway after 3 out, ridden after 2 out, ran on strongly to lead final 75 yards, won going away
chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, one pace from next
held up behind, headway approaching 2 out, stayed on, never troubled leaders
mid-division until after 3 out
chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, weakened next
mid-division until weakened 3 out
chased leaders, not fluent 3 out, soon ridden, one pace from next
It will be interesting to see how French import Punchestowns performs on his hurdling debut on his first start since joining the yard of Nicky Henderson but the safest option looks to be Talenti, who gets the vote with Haldibari rated the pick of the remainder. The selection was lightly raced when with Aidan O'Brien on the flat and has made a pleasing start to his hurdling career in decent company prior to finding just Nicky Henderson's exiting recruit Stellino too good for him at Taunton recently. A reproduction of that effort may well suffice. Abstract Art was good value for his win at Huntingdon last time but this looks tougher under his penalty, while David Pipe's The Package faces no easy task giving weight away all round. Richard Rowe's Uncle Eli has shown some promise but a bigger threat is likely to come from Alan King's Haldibari, who has run with credit in all three starts since joining current connections. Talenti has plenty going for him though and he gets the vote.
The Package 3-1 (11-8) Led, headed 3 out, weakened 2 out, 9th of 14, 33l behind Hinton Thunderbolt (10-2) at Towcester 2m nh nov hdl (3) sft in Dec.
Abstract Art (USA) 13-2 (11-4) Tracked leaders, pulled hard, blundered last, soon led, ran on well, won at Huntingdon 2m nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan beating Fortunate Isle (11-4) by 5l, 13 ran.
Awatuki (IRE) 8-1 (9-0) Towards rear, headway to chase leaders 3f out, ridden and every chance over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, kept on, 3rd of 8, 3 1/2l behind Evident Pride (9-6) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Dec (Flat).
Back To The Wind (IRE) 66-1 (11-4) Took keen hold, held up, some progress after 5th, no further impression from next, 6th of 13, 36l behind Crescent Island (11-4) at Newbury 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Bruff Academy (IRE) (11-7) Mid-division when fell 5th in race won by One Cool Knight (11-7) at Ballindenisk 3m ire ptp gd in Dec, 16 ran.
Merchant Red (USA) 25-1 (10-12) Led, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, soon outpaced, stayed on to take 2nd run in, no chance with winner, 2nd of 11, 5l behind Whiteoak (10-5) at Bangor 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Night Cru 20-1 (8-10) Chased leaders over 6f, 27th of 34, 25l behind Pipedreamer (8-12) at Newmarket 1m 1f hcap (2) gf in Oct (Flat).
Punchestowns (FR) (10-1) Held up in 7th, headway on outside straight, went 2nd and every chance final 100yds, ran on, 2nd of 11, hd behind Portal's Toy (9-11) at Clairefontaine 1m 4f stk in Aug (Flat).
Talenti (IRE) 15-8 (11-3) Tracked leader, led after 4th, ridden, headed approaching 2 out, not pace of winner, 2nd of 14, 15l behind Stellino (11-3) at Taunton 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) sft.
The Jolly Spoofer (IRE) 100-1 (11-3) Mid-division, mistake 8th, headway 3 out, soon chasing leaders, every chance from last, stayed on well, 3rd of 15, 2 1/2l behind Earth Crystal (11-3) at Ascot 2m 3f nov hdl (3) sft in Jan.
Trans Sonic 40-1 (11-0) Mainly towards rear, 11th of 18, 30l behind Group Captain (11-0) at Newbury 2m mdn hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Uncle Eli (IRE) 100-1 (11-4) Held up, raced keenly, mistake 3rd and rider lost iron briefly, ridden and outpaced from 3 out, no impression, 5th of 7, 15l behind Tazbar (11-11) at Doncaster 2m nov hdl Grd 2 (1) gd in Jan.
Smart Cat (IRE) 16-1 (8-7) In touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 11, 11l behind Kassuta (7-12) at Yarmouth 1m clm (6) gs in Oct (Flat).
Haldibari (IRE) 2-5fav (10-7) Tracked leaders, hit 3 out, soon ridden, mistake 2 out, kept on same pace, 4th of 14, 4 1/2l behind Dip Anchor (11-1) at Taunton 2m 1f nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
