prominent, left 2nd 1st, hit 4th and 3 out, shaken up to lead approaching last, drew clear flat, easily
always prominent, led before 2 out, headed approaching last, ridden and one pace flat
took strong hold, 2nd when fell 1st
held up and behind, niggled along and progress when hit 2 out, weakened approaching last
held up in touch, pushed along 2 out, weakened approaching last
jumped right, led, headed before 2 out, soon weakened
held up in rear, not fluent 2 out, lost touch and mistake last
held up, progress 5th, ridden and weakened approaching last
ECCO wasn’t totally convincing when landing the odds at Wincanton but that should have given confidence a lift. He is fancied to give weight away to hurdling newcomers Allart and Quloob but both of the latter pair are worth noting. The former ran well in his one start in a bumper and the Gary Moore’s gelding won three times on the Flat, though may do better over longer trips. Financial Conduct won three times at Dundalk for Andy Oliver and was second at Ludlow on his hurdling debut, though that was back in January. Neff won at Fontwell last month and can improve on that, though is upped in class here.
Ecco 1-4fav (11-0) Chased leaders, led and wandered into 2 out, clear before last, easily, won at Wincanton 1m 7f mdn (4) gd in Oct beating Fitzroy (11-0) by 8l, 9 ran.
Neff (GER) 16-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway 4 out, chased leaders next, led after last, all out, won at Fontwell 2m 3f (4) gd in Oct beating Minella Beat (10-12) by 3/4l, 12 ran.
Allart (IRE) 7-2 (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, went never nearer 3rd inside final furlong, 3rd of 15, 3 1/4l behind Drunken Pirate (11-0) at Newbury 2m (5) gs in Nov.
Derek Duval (USA) 40-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway when not fluent 4 out, mistake 2 out, no extra last, 5th of 8, 17 1/4l behind Archimento (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f (4) gd in Sep.
Financial Conduct (IRE) 13-2 (11-6) Took keen hold, mid-division, lost place 3rd, headway after not fluent 4 out, switched right after 2 out, went 2nd flat, no impression on winner, 2nd of 11, 4l behind Smackwater Jack (11-6) at Ludlow 2m 5f mdn (4) gs in Jan.
Maasai Warrior (IRE) 80-1 (10-12) Never better than mid-division, lost place after 4 out, behind from next, tailed off, 7th of 10, dist behind Ofalltheginjoints (10-12) at Chepstow 2m (4) gs in Oct.
Pinchpoint (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Pulled hard tracking leaders, headway to lead after 4th until after 3 out, weakened before next, tailed off, 6th of 9, dist behind Lantiern (10-12) at Southwell 2m (4) sft in Oct.
Quloob 16-1 (10-0) Raced wide in touch, ridden 2f out, headway under pressure approaching final furlong, stayed on towards finish, 4th of 11, 4 1/4l behind Landa Beach (8-10) at Ascot 2m hcp (3) sft in Oct.
