held up, rear of mid-division, well behind 3 out, tailed off
chased leaders, took keen hold, 2nd from 2nd, not fluent 4th, challenged 3 out, soon led, jumped left and not fluent last, ridden and headed flat, no impression towards finish
jumped right 2nd, always towards rear
mid-division, 6th and in touch before 3 out, weakened before next
mid-division, not fluent 3rd, struggling 5th, well behind 3 out
led, jumped left 1st, headed after 3 out, mistake 2 out, weakened before last
in rear, hampered 2nd, well behind from 5th, pulled up before 2 out
behind, tailed off 2nd, soon pulled up
prominent, wandered into 1st and 2nd, pushed along after 3 out, weakened next
chased leaders, wandered into 1st, not fluent next, pushed along after 3 out, closed before next, 2nd last, switched right flat, soon led, stayed on well
chased leaders, 2nd before 2 out until last, no extra flat
The vast majority have limited or no experience of jumping hurdles, with Whipcord best of those to have tackled timber, his best performance coming on the second of three hurdling starts when runner-up to the useful Black Corton at Exeter last spring. He did disappoint subsequently though and GOLDEN BIRTHDAY is taken to build on a series of promising bumper efforts for Harry Fry which culminated in a comfortable success at this venue last May. He is sure to have been well schooled. Saint Contest, a French import for Alan King, looks a major danger to all, having already shown considerable promise on his first run for the yard when a decent fourth in Class 4 company on the level at Wolverhampton.
Al Valiente 100-1 (10-12) Always hehind, struggling from 4 out, 9th of 14, 30 1/4l behind Capeland (10-12) at Newton Abbot 2m 2f (4) gd in Oct.
Golden Birthday (FR) 8-15fav (11-2) Held up towards rear, took keen hold, headway on inside over 5f out, went 2nd 2f out, led 1f out, ran on, won at Wincanton 1m 7f (6) gf in May beating West Torr (11-2) by 2 1/2l, 12 ran.
Grand Coureur (FR) 14-1 (10-12) Led, headed before 2nd, pushed along and losing touch when fell 3 out, at Hereford 2m (4) gd in Oct.
Magical Thomas 20-1 (10-12) Pulled hard in touch, hit 2nd, ridden and weakened 2 out, 6th of 8, 34l behind Furiously Fast (11-5) at Ffos Las 2m (4) gd in Nov.
New Reaction 100-1 (9-5) Held up, always in rear, 13th of 14, 15 3/4l behind Art Of Swing (9-7) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Summer Getaway (IRE) 66-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, ridden and struggling final 6f, 13th of 16, dist behind Brahms De Clermont (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m (3) gd in Oct.
Tikkinthebox (IRE) 150-1 (11-0) Always behind, 12th of 16, dist behind Laser Light (11-0) at Chepstow 2m 3f mdn (4) gs in Oct.
Whipcord (IRE) 2-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, hampered 3rd, mistake next, ridden and weakened before 2 out, 5th of 11, 27 3/4l behind Butney Island (11-0) at Newton Abbot 2m 2f mdn (4) gf in May.
Yamllik 20-1 (9-6) Led 1f, prominent, lost place over 1f out, last of 11, 6 3/4l behind Thane Of Cawdor (9-2) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (6) pol in Oct.
Choochoobugaloo 100-1 (10-5) Held up, in touch, ridden and weakened over 3f out, last of 8, 29 1/2l behind Burbank (10-12) at Newbury 2m (5) gd in Nov.
Kristal Hart 7-2 (9-1) Led 3f, pressed leader, ridden and lost place over 2f out, soon behind, eased inside final furlong, last of 7, 31l behind Dovil's Duel (9-1) at Bath 1m 2f hcp (6) sft in May.
Owners Day 11-1 (9-6) Chased leaders, pushed along halfway, ridden 3f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 7, 4 3/4l behind Fearless Lad (8-12) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp (5) pol in Jun.
Saint Contest (FR) 33-1 (8-12) Dwelt, towards rear, ridden 2f out, ran on final furlong, nearest finish, 4th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Natural Scenery (9-2) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp (4) pol in Oct.
Inthenicoftime 200-1 (11-5) In rear, hung right after 5 out on bend, soon tailed off and pulled up, at Chepstow 2m mdn (4) gd in Nov.
