held up in 5th, headway to 3rd after 3 out, driven to challenge between last 2, one pace approaching last
held up in last pair, headway to 4th before 2 out, weakened soon after, disputing well held 5th when mistake last
led until narrowly headed after 1st, led again after next, ridden and headed 2 out, weakened soon after, well held in 4th when went left and blundered last
tracked leaders on inside, hit 5th, challenged on inside before last, upsides when mistake last, rallied gamely under strong pressure to lead final 110 yards
took keen hold, chased leader, led after 1st until after next, chased leader, went right awkward and led 2 out, ridden and joined last, stayed on under pressure and kept narrow advantage until no extra and headed final 110 yards
hit 1st, held up in last pair, pushed along 3 out, soon beaten, tailed off
chased leading pair, hit 3 out, soon lost place beaten when pecked 2 out and last
Steve Gollings thinks a lot of Local Hero and AP McCoy has ridden him to victory in his two starts so far at Wetherby and Doncaster. This is the acid test as far as Triumph Hurdle aspirations are concerned but he looks sure to be in the firing-line if handling this more undulating track. However, we narrowly prefer THIRD INTENTION who forged clear of Titan De Sarti and Empire Levant on his debut over timber at Newbury. That was only his fifth racecourse appearance and there is surely more to come. French import Indian Daudaie and shock Wetherby winner Maoi Chinn Tire may struggle under the extra, while Akula and Mark Twain probably have a bit to prove in this grade.
Indian Daudaie (FR) (10-5) 2nd of 11, 15l behind Tanais Du Chenet (10-1) at Auteuil(FR) 2m 2f hdl hvy in Nov.
Maoi Chinn Tire (IRE) 200-1 (10-12) Held up in rear and keen, headway after 4 out, challenged 3 out, soon led, clear approaching last, readily, won at Wetherby 2m Listed hdl 3yo (1) gd in Oct beating Meetings Man (11-4) by 9l, 13 ran.
Akula (IRE) 50-1 (11-3) In touch, led briefly before 2nd, tracked leader, driven and outpaced after 2 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace, no impression with front pair, 3rd of 12, 11l behind Sam Winner (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 1f 3yo hdl (2) gs in Dec.
Local Hero (GER) 1-4fav (11-5) Tracked leaders in 3rd, led on bit before last, shaken up and soon clear, eased towards finish, readily, won at Doncaster 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) gd beating Franklino (10-12) by 2 3/4l, 6 ran.
Third Intention (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Chased leader, challenged after 3 out, ridden to lead flat, stayed on well, in command final 75 yards, won at Newbury 2m 3yo hdl (4) gd in Dec beating Titan De Sarti (10-12) by 2 3/4l, 16 ran.
Lapin Garou (FR) 16-1 (10-12) Held up in close 4th, hit 4 out, went 3rd before until hit 3 out, soon beaten and eased, tailed off, last of 4, well behind Cedre Bleu (10-12) at Newbury 2m 4yo hdl (4) sft.
Mark Twain (IRE) 9-4fav (11-0) Tracked leader, led 2 out, ridden clear before last, eased run-in, readily, won at Catterick 2m 4yo mdn hdl (5) gs beating Call To Arms (10-11) by 13l, 10 ran.
