tracked leader until before 2 out, kept on same pace in 3rd
tracked leaders, led 3 out, ridden before last, kept on well
led, headed and mistake 3 out, weakened before 2 out
held up towards rear, weakened from 3 out, tailed off
held up mid-division, not fluent 4 out, headway 3 out, chased winner before 2 out, kept on and always held
always towards rear
tracked leaders, weakened from 3 out
in rear, soon driven along and struggling, tailed off
Octagon has been winning selling hurdles and will find this tougher. But TONTO’S SPIRIT moves in the opposite direction having placed at Wetherby recently and looks to have leading claims as he drops in class. Bal De Rio has been in the mix in novice hurdles and can figure now handicapping along with recent runners-up Dark And Dangerous and Chilly Miss with the former preferred on his second over a shorter trip here. Danceintothelight has gone off the boil and Allfredandnobell was still beaten a long way when third at Catterick last month.
Tonto's Spirit 13-8 (11-5) Led, went right 1st, clear 3rd to 4 out, headed before next, ridden and one pace after 2 out, held when not fluent last, lost 2nd closing stages, last of 3, 8l behind Aristo Du Plessis (11-12) at Wetherby 2m hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Octagon 1-3fav (11-5) Chased leader, led 2 out, idled badly in front, mistake last, hung right run-in, driven right out, won at Leicester 2m (5) sft in Dec beating Clock On Tom (11-0) by 2 1/2l, 7 ran.
Danceintothelight 14-1 (11-12) Led until 5th, lost place next, well beaten 3 out, 4th of 8, dist behind Lady Karina (11-10) at Warwick 2m 3f hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Iolani (GER) 16-1 (10-9) Held up in rear, not fluent 7th, soon weakened, last of 7, dist behind One For Harry (11-12) at Haydock 2m 3f hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
Bal De Rio (FR) 5-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, led before last, headed run-in, no extra, 2nd of 12, 4l behind Slanelough (10-12) at Carlisle 2m 1f (4) sft in Oct.
Allfredandnobell (IRE) 20-1 (11-11) Held up mid-division, pushed along before 6th and outpaced, in 4th before 2 out, kept on and no impression, 3rd of 9, 25 3/4l behind Romulus Du Donjon (11-3) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Dark And Dangerous (IRE) 5-1 (10-13) Led until 2 out, rallied before last, no extra closing stages, 2nd of 7, 6l behind Viserion (11-12) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Chilly Miss 16-1 (11-7) Led, soon joined, headed 4 out, rallied and every chance from next, kept on well under pressure, 2nd of 14, 2 1/2l behind Hoke Colburn (11-10) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Nov.
