tracked winner, disputed lead 3 out to before next, weakened between last 2
held up in rear, not fluent 6th, struggling 3 out, soon lost touch, tailed off when pulled up after next
made most, joined 3 out, driven 2 lengths clear approaching next, ridden between last 2, hard pressed last, held on under pressure flat
not fluent, held up in touch, lost place 5th, behind and struggling 3 out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, mistake 6th, hit 3 out, soon outpaced, went modest 3rd between last 2, no chance with front pair
held up in touch, tracked front pair after 3 out, went 2nd before next, ridden and every chance when not fluent last, kept on, always just held
NonRunner
Noble Warrior has failed to figure since winning at Uttoxeter in November but Tight Call went close again at Wetherby last time having made a winning start over hurdles. HOGAN’S HEIGHT has struggled since notching-up a hat-trick over timber but a recent wind operation may see Jamie Snowdon’s charge bounce back to form in which case he should be bang there at the finish on today’s terms. Hurdles newcomer Dadsinluck has also undergone wind surgery since last in action but the unexposed Vamanos is preferred on a recent third at Bangor.
Noble Warrior (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, took keen hold, challenged 2nd, lost place after next, headway 4th, well there when mistake and unseated rider 6th, at Catterick 2m 3f (4) sft in Dec.
Dadsinluck 14-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, headway over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 9, 11 1/2l behind Knight Crusader (11-4) at Uttoxeter 2m mdn (5) gd in Nov.
Hogan's Height (IRE) 9-2 (11-11) Mid-division, lost place from 2nd, struggling 10th, pulled up before next, at Hereford 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in Nov.
The Sting (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Always in rear, lost touch from 3rd, continued tailed off, 4th of 5, dist behind Lord Yeats (11-0) at Sedgefield 2m 1f mdn (4) sft in Dec.
Vamanos (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Close up, pushed along 3 out, ridden next, went 3rd when blundered last, stayed on, 3rd of 15, 2 3/4l behind Shantaluze (11-5) at Bangor 2m 1f (4) sft in Dec.
Legalized 50-1 (10-5) Towards rear, mistake 3rd, some late headway 2 out, stayed on into 4th flat, never nearer, 4th of 13, 11 1/4l behind Je Suis Charlie (11-4) at Catterick 2m (4) gd in Nov.
Tight Call (IRE) 3-1 (11-3) Led and set decent pace, ridden after 3 out, joined when pecked 2 out, headed approaching the last, kept on run-in, 2nd of 5, 1/2l behind Kajaki (11-3) at Wetherby 2m (2) gd in Nov.
