tracked leaders, went 2nd before 3 out, challenged 2 out, soon led, clear run-in, eased towards finish
held up in rear, headway before 3 out, mistake 2 out, kept on towards finish, just held for 2nd place
held up towards rear, hit 3rd, weakened before 3 out, soon pulled up
held up towards rear, headway after 4 out one pace before last
mid-division, hit 3rd, mistake 5th, never dangerous
tracked leader, ridden before 3 out, soon weakened
led, headed before last, one pace and no chance with winner, just held on for 2nd place
held up towards rear, headway after 4 out, weakened before 3 out
tracked leader, blundered 6th, soon lost place, tailed off
held up towards rear, in 7th and well held when fell 3 out
tracked leaders, went 2nd before 4 out, weakened from 2 out
Abigail Lynch had won a point-to-point and a Polytrack bumper prior to trying her luck in a Listed race at Aintree in April last year. She finished tailed off on that occasion but is clearly versatile and expected to make her mark over hurdles. She could be the chief threat to ACT ALONE, who was sent off at short odds in both bumper starts but might do better now tackling hurdles. Mister Newby and Sir Pitt are the pick of those with experience ahead of Smiles For Miles while Benenden won a point-to-point in November and is worth a second look if the market speaks in his favour.
Act Alone 4-6fav (10-12) Tracked leaders, ridden to challenge over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, kept on and just held close home, 2nd of 7, hd behind Lemons Ground (10-12) at Fontwell 1m 6f NH flat (6) gs in May.
Benenden (IRE) 6-1 (12-2) Trkd ldr in 2nd, mstks 6th & 8th, chall & ld 4out, went clr aftr 2out, easily, won at Boulta 3m ire ptp gd in Nov beating Darsis Well (12-2) by 6l, 11 ran.
Donapollo 100-1 (11-0) Led 1st until approaching 3rd, chased leader until 4 out, weakened quickly next, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Royal Boy (11-0) at Ascot 2m 6f NH mdn hdl (3) sft in Dec, 9 ran.
Mister Newby (IRE) 5-1 (10-12) Held up behind, headway before 3 out, one pace from 2 out, 5th of 13, 14l behind Dream Flyer (10-7) at Wetherby 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
My Destination (IRE) 28-1 (10-12) Held up in touch, lost place 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before next, in a race won by Blakemount (11-5) at Newcastle 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec, 7 ran.
Rozener (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Tracked leader, led before 4th, headed 3 out, weakened next, 8th of 12, 25l behind Diamond King (10-12) at Wetherby 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Sir Pitt 14-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, challenged 2 out (usual 3 out), ridden to lead approaching bypassed last, headed inside final furlong, no extra in 4th towards finish, 4th of 14, 3l behind It's A Doddle (10-12) at Ffos Las 2m nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Dec.
Smiles For Miles (IRE) 7-2 (10-12) Led, headed 2 out, soon ridden, no chance in clear 3rd when weakened approaching last, 3rd of 8, 18l behind Walk On Al (10-12) at Southwell 3m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Whichwaytobougie 80-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, lost place quickly after 5th, soon behind, 12th of 21, 46l behind Oscar Hoof (10-12) at Doncaster 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Abigail Lynch (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) Chased leaders to over 6f out, soon behind, tailed off 3f out, last of 19, well behind Legacy Gold (11-1) at Aintree 2m 1f N H flat lst (1) gs in Apr.
Ginger Fizz 33-1 (11-4) Held up mid-division and keen, weakened over 3f out, 13th of 20, well behind Eleven Fifty Nine (11-1) at Aintree 2m 1f N H flat lst (1) gd in Apr '12.
