led to 5th, tracked leaders, led again 4 out, driven 2 lengths clear when mistake last, ridden and headed flat, no extra
chased leaders, outpaced 3 out, soon weakened
soon behind, tailed off 4 out, pulled up 2 out
held up in touch, headway 3 out, went 2nd last, ridden to lead flat, stayed on
held up towards rear, headway into mid-division 5th, outpaced 3 out, never on terms
raced keenly, tracked leaders, headway to lead 5th, headed 4 out, every chance 2 out, soon ridden, one pace and lost 2nd last, no extra
raced keenly, tracked leader to 4 out, 3rd when hit next, soon outpaced, weakened before last
mid-division, outpaced 3 out, soon weakened
in rear, lost touch 3rd, tailed off 4 out, pulled up 2 out
Kempton bumper winner Lush Life looks the pick of Nicky Henderson's two runners ahead of Osric having made a promising first start over hurdles when a close up third behind Swansbrook here last month over 2m4f and he has to be of interest dropping back to two miles today but it is hard to get away from MENORAH, who can give weight away all round. The Philip Hobbs-trained gelding looked decent when winning his only start in a bumper at Naas in August and has done little wrong since joining Philip Hobbs, winning two novice hurdles in good fashion and losing no caste in defeat in between at Doncaster behind Bobby Ewing, and he can win again. Jonio O'Neill's Born Again showed improved form when successful at Fontwell last time but needs to improve on that effort to trouble the judge here, while Alan King's Prince Buster has run well in defeat in two starts over hurdles but looks booked for a place at best. This Masquerade showed promise on his bumper debut here in November and could be of interest first time up over hurdles but Menorah has solid claims and looks the one to beat.
Menorah (IRE) 7-2 (11-5) Tracked leaders, not fluent 2nd, led just after 3 out, drew clear approaching last, impressive, won at Kempton 2m nh nov hdl (2) gs in Dec beating Bellvano (11-8) by 12l, 8 ran.
Alexander Beetle 66-1 (11-4) Mid-division, weakened soon after 3 out, tailed off, 11th of 15, well behind Master Of The Hall (11-11) at Newbury 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Captain Willoughby (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Chased clear leading pair until 6th, weakened next, tailed off 3 out and soon pulled up, in a race won by Casual Garcia (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) hvy in Nov, 6 ran.
Lush Life (IRE) 7-4fav (11-2) Held up mid-division, headway on outside, when not fluent 7th, led next, ridden and headed flat, no extra, 3rd of 12, 4 1/2l behind Swansbrook (11-2) at Ascot 2m 3f NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (3) sft in Jan.
Osric (IRE) 9-4 (11-4) Raced keenly, tracked leader, challenged when hit 3 out, outpaced when not fluent next, weakened last, 5th of 14, 16l behind Cheshire Prince (11-6) at Huntingdon 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Prince Buster (FR) 2-1fav (11-4) Held up 5th approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 5th of 15, 19l behind Rollwiththepunches (11-4) at Huntingdon 2m NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (4) sft in Jan.
Sophies Trophy (IRE) 14-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, ridden after 3 out, soon outpaced, went 3rd close home, no chance with front pair, 3rd of 11, 15l behind Born Again (10-13) at Fontwell 2m 2f NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (4) sft.
This Masquerade 33-1 (11-0) Led, hard ridden and headed over 1f out, soon weakened, 4th of 12, 8l behind Dunraven Storm (11-0) at Ascot 2m NH flat (4) gd in Nov.
Black Phantom (IRE) 14-1 (10-7) Held up, headway after 4f, lost place over 5f out, hampered over 3f out, 11th of 13, 36l behind Cue Card (10-7) at Fontwell 1m 6f NH flat (6) sft in Jan.
Born Again (IRE) 6-1 (10-13) Mid-division, headway 5th, challenging when not fluent 3 out, led going well last, edged right when asserting flat, eased towards finish, won at Fontwell 2m 2f NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (4) sft beating Bangkok Pete (11-10) by 5l, 11 ran.
