pressed leader, hit 4 out, pushed along and lost 2nd turning in, no extra in 3rd, ridden and beaten between last two
keen, raced wide in close 3rd until after 4th, pushed along after 3 out, weakened quickly soon after, tailed off
held up in 4th on inside, not fluent 3rd, closer in 3rd after next, 2nd going well turning in, soon switched out, led before last, soon quickened clear, impressive hurdling debut
led, pushed along before 2 out, ridden and headed before the last, soon readily outpaced and no chance with winner, awkward last
NonRunner
NonRunner
GRAYSTONE was clear of the eventual winner and runner-up, Irish Hill and Girandole, when falling at the last at Taunton and can make amends here with a clear round. Hayedo made all for an easy success at Hereford while Twilight Twist is another who is still improving and he’s preferred to Kempton third Restitution. Doctor Parnassus was a maiden on the Flat but it’s interesting that Dan Skelton is starting him off at a decent level over hurdles.
Irish Hill (GER) Evensfav (10-12) Tracked leader until after 2nd, handy 3rd, 2nd again after 5th, pushed along before 2 out, 3 lengths down and held when left in lead last, driven out, won at Taunton 2m (4) gs in Dec beating Girandole (10-12) by 2l, 13 ran.
Twilight Twist 11-1 (11-2) Mid-division, not fluent 5th, dropped to rear before 2 out, pushed along after 2 out, ridden and stayed on well after last, 4th of 10, 9 1/4l behind Interne De Sivola (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m 1f (2) gs in Dec.
Doctor Parnassus (IRE) 7-2 (9-5) Led, took field to outside rail halfway, ridden and strongly pressed in home straight, stayed on well until headed and no extra towards finish, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind Indefatigable (9-6) at Pontefract 1m 4f mdn stks (3) sft in Oct.
Restitution (FR) 9-2 (10-12) Midfield, bumped 3rd, went third before 5th, headway into second after 3 out, soon pushed along, lost second before 2 out, soon ridden, no extra approaching last, 3rd of 10, 29l behind Iceo (11-3) at Kempton 2m (2) sft in Dec.
Graystone (IRE) 6-4 (11-5) Led, went clear 3rd, not fluent 2 out, 3 lengths ahead and going best when knuckled on landing and fell last, at Taunton 2m (4) gs in Dec.
Hayedo (GER) 9-2 (11-0) Made all, dived slightly at 2 out, soon ridden, clear before not fluent last, driven right out, won at Hereford 2m mdn (4) gs in Jan beating Big Boy Bobby (11-0) by 13l, 11 ran.
Girandole (FR) 25-1 (10-12) Off the pace in mid-division, headway chasing leaders after 3 out, 3rd before next, left 2nd at the last, driven and stayed on same pace run-in, 2nd of 13, 2l behind Irish Hill (10-12) at Taunton 2m (4) gs in Dec.
