mid-division, headway after 3 out, ridden and every chance after 2 out, no extra approaching last
held up, ridden and headway after 2 out, stayed on to go 4th last, no further impression
took keen hold, tracked leaders, ridden to lead approaching last, headed flat, kept on but no extra
tracked leaders, ridden after 2 out, weakened before last
mid-division, headway after 3 out, went slightly left and led soon after last, kept on well, driven out
led until hit 2nd, chased leaders until weakened approaching 2 out
held up, headway after 3 out, weakened after next
held up, hit 4th, headway approaching 2 out, soon ridden, one pace approaching last
mid-division until 6th, behind and pulled up before 2 out
not fluent 5th, always towards rear
chased leaders, lost place 3rd, outpaced approaching 2 out, some late progress from last
led 2nd, not fluent next, ridden and headed approaching last, no extra
This looks a decent novices' hurdle and Snap Tie, who has run well here before in bumpers and again over hurdles when making a winning debut over timber in October, is taken to resume winning ways, getting the verdict over I'msingingtheblues and Meadow Vale. The last mentioned showed decent form in bumpers and has shown enough in three starts over hurdles to suggest that he will be winning races over timber. Nigel Twiston-Davies has had a good campaign and his runner Platin Grounds has to be respected but probably needs to improve again to trouble the judge. Henrietta Knight's Calgary Bay has shown promise in all three starts so far and should be thereabouts again. I'msingingtheblues has done little wrong so far and has every chance but Snap Tie is 3lbs better in for the half length that he was beaten by the Paul Nicholls-trained gelding over course and distance last time and he is taken to reverse that form and resume winning ways.
I'msingingtheblues (IRE) 14-1 (11-4) Held up in 7th, headway approaching 2 out, went 2nd and closed on leader approaching last, led flat, driven out, won at Cheltenham 2m nov hdl Grd 2 (1) gd in Nov beating Snap Tie (11-7) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
Platin Grounds (GER) 12-1 (10-10) Held up in rear, headway approaching 3 out, soon chasing leaders, stayed on same pace from 2 out, 6th of 19, 9l behind Sizing Europe (11-6) at Cheltenham 2m hcp hdl Grd 3 (1) sft in Nov.
Snap Tie (IRE) 3-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, led approaching 3rd, hit 2 out, 2 lengths clear when mistake last, headed run-in, rallied well, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind I'msingingtheblues (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m nov hdl Grd 2 (1) gd in Nov.
Buck The Legend (IRE) 33-1 (11-3) Led to 2nd, lost 2nd briefly after 5th, weakening into 3rd when mistake 2 out, beaten when fell in race won by Master Eddy (11-3) at Newbury 3m nh nov hdl (3) sft in Mar, 6 ran.
Calgary Bay (IRE) 7-4fav (10-12) Held up mid-division, steady headway 7th, chased winner approaching 2 out, every chance last, not quicken, 2nd of 14, 3/4l behind Balamory Dan (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Carrickmines (IRE) 100-1 (11-0) Chased leader to 5th, weakened 3 out, 8th of 14, 26l behind County Zen (11-0) at Ascot 2m hdl (2) gd in Nov.
Fairoak Haitch (IRE) Norwich gelding, half-brother to winning chaser Low Reactor.
Home Hunter (IRE) 10-1 (11-6) Led, headed after 4f, raced in 2nd after, disputed lead 3f out, 2nd and no impression from 1 1/2f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong, 3rd of 8, 2 1/2l behind Cottage Oak (11-4) at Cork 2m nhf gs in Nov.
Meadow Vale (IRE) 2-1 (11-1) Close 2nd, slight mistake 3rd, challenged 3 out, led briefly approaching last, 2nd and one pace run-in, 2nd of 3, 2 1/2l behind Quinmaster (11-1) at Navan 2m nov hdl Grd 3 (1) gf in Nov.
Oh Braga (FR) 18-1 (10-12) Mistake 2nd and 4th, weakened 7th, tailed off, 12th of 14, well behind Pennek (10-12) at Hereford 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gs.
Thats Confidential (IRE) 9-2 (11-3) In touch, ridden over 3f out, kept on same pace, 6th of 16, 11l behind I'msingingtheblues (11-3) at Wincanton 2m mdn nhf (6) gd in Mar.
Uncle Eli (IRE) 14-1 (10-9) Led to 2nd, chased leader, mistake and rider lost irons 2 out, driven between last 2, weakened before last, 6th of 10, 27l behind Sovereign King (10-12) at Folkestone 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
