jumped well, held up in touch on inside, smooth headway tracking leaders after 4th, went 2nd before good jump to lead 3 out, made rest and stayed on well, easily
slight lead until before 3rd, chased leader until in front again 4th until after 4 out, in front again before next, headed 3 out, stayed on same pace, no chance with winner
held up last, struggling when mistake 3 out, tailed off
chased leaders, went 2nd briefly before carried right 5th, chased leaders, pushed along before 3 out, ridden and weakened into 4th after next, mistake last
held up in touch, pushed along before 3 out, plugged on in 3rd after next
pressed leader until led before 3rd, jumped right next, went right again and headed next, chased leader, in front again after 4 out until before next, chased leaders, weakened 3 out
raced keenly, mistake 2nd, headway tracking leaders next, pushed along and outpaced before 3 out, soon beaten
Paul Nicholls has won this Grade 2 twice in the last four years and six times in total and MCFABULOUS (NAP) showed steady improvement last season, beating a strong field on his final start in a Grade 3 handicap at Sandown. He carries a small penalty but that shouldn’t detract from his chances. Philip Hobbs sent out last year’s winner and Everglow must be held in some regard to be making his hurdling debut at this level. One For The Team showed progressive form in handicaps last term but looks a thorough stayer. Courtandbould and Getaround have guaranteed fitness on their side but, like the unbeaten Petrastar and the mare Legends Ryde, might struggle in this grade.
McFabulous (IRE) 5-2fav (11-9) Chased leaders, led before 2 out, kept on well run-in, won at Kempton 2m 5f hcp (1) gs in Mar beating Sevarano (11-10) by 6 1/2l, 18 ran.
Courtandbould (IRE) 15-8 (11-12) Positively ridden and made all, clear when jumped left 2 out and last, unchallenged, won at Fontwell 2m 2f (4) gd in Sep beating Kannapolis (10-12) by 12l, 8 ran.
Everglow 10-1 (11-0) Prominent, effort turning in, one pace over 1f out, soon ridden, kept on, no impression with front pair inside final furlong, 3rd of 8, 4l behind Israel Champ (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m lst (1) sft in Nov.
Getaround (IRE) 2-5fav (11-4) Led, shaken up 2 out to assert, jumped well last, stayed on easily, won at Perth 2m 4f (4) gd in Sep beating Southern Girl (10-5) by 4l, 4 ran.
One For The Team 4-1 (11-4) Chased leader until before 3rd, chased leaders, jumped slowly next, challenged 3 out, soon led, clear 2 out, stayed on strongly, won at Newbury 3m hcp (2) gd in Feb beating Dolphin Square (11-12) by 14l, 9 ran.
Petrastar 5-6fav (11-12) Tracked leader, led before 3 out, clear next, easily, won at Perth 2m 4f (4) gd in Aug beating Allthatglistens (10-5) by 21l, 14 ran.
Legends Ryde 11-8fav (10-12) Tracked leader, every chance 2 out, led approaching and not fluent last, stayed on well, won at Ffos Las 2m 4f (4) hvy in Mar beating Martha Brae (11-4) by 3/4l, 5 ran.
