took keen hold, tracked leaders, hit 1st, steadied, lost place from 2nd, ridden after 8th, tried to close, hung right soon after, soon weakened, tailed off
mid-division, moved closer after 2nd, went 2nd 5th, not fluent 8th, led soon after, stayed on well from 2 out
chased leader to 5th, ridden approaching 8th, badly outpaced well before 3 out, stayed on approaching 2 out, went 2nd flat, not troubled winner
led until after 8th, beaten 2 out, kept on same pace
tracked leaders, ridden, weakened approaching 8th, tailed off, pulled up before 3 out
held up, mistake 7th, effort next, weakened well before 3 out, tailed off
held up, not always fluent, stayed on from 3 out, no further progress, eased approaching last
held up in rear, headway on outside approaching 7th, chased winner 3 out, almost upsides 2 out, kept on same pace but lost 2nd flat
A competitive Novices' Hurdle can go the way of Hennessy with Tot O' Whiskey and Mount Oscar making it to the shortlist. Carl Llewellyn's seven-year-old had a spell over fences but didn't look a natural and so has reverted (with a degree of success) to hurdles. He posted his best effort to date when only beaten three lengths by the useful yardstick Hills Of Aran at Cheltenham. Whilst he has rivals for the lead here a big run should still be on the cards. Coe comes here chasing the hat-trick and has earned this rise in grade, whilst Battlecry keeps finding one too good and the likelihood is that this will happen again. One Gulp had some good bumper form last year and has picked up where he left off with two comprehensive successes over timber but this will be much more of a test. Tot O' Whiskey is progressive and has solid claims of getting the head back in front, whilst Auroras Encore will be hoping for more luck this afternoon. An open race, with Hennesy given the vote.
Auroras Encore (IRE) 7-4fav (10-12) Tracked leaders until carried out 5 out in race won by Master Builder (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 5f nov hdl (4) gd in Dec, 13 ran.
Battlecry 4-1 (11-4) Led, headed and outpaced approaching 3 out, rallied flat, kept on, 2nd of 6, 2l behind Missis Potts (10-5) at Hereford 2m nov chs (3) sft.
Coe (IRE) 6-5fav (11-5) Tracked leader, led 3 out, hung left approaching 2 out, kept on, won at Haydock 2m 4f nov hdl (4) hvy in Dec beating Innominate (10-12) by 2 1/2l, 10 ran.
Hennessy (IRE) 12-1 (10-9) Led, not fluent 3 out, quickened 2 out, soon ridden, headed when hit last, no extra, 2nd of 9, 3l behind Hills Of Aran (10-9) at Cheltenham 3m hcp hdl (2) gs.
Mount Oscar (IRE) 16-1 (11-7) Led until after 7th, soon ridden, weakened quickly after 3 out and pulled up 2 out in race won by Souffleur (11-7) at Newbury 2m 5f nov hdl Grd 1 (1) sft in Dec, 9 ran.
The Shy Man (IRE) 10-1 (11-6) Held up, weakened approaching 3 out, 5th of 7, 31l behind Lightning Strike (11-0) at Haydock 2m lst nov hdl (1) gs in Nov.
Tot O'Whiskey 2-1fav (11-8) Tracked leaders, led 3 out, ridden soon after, left in lead briefly last, no extra, 2nd of 14, 3 1/2l behind Hinton Thunderbolt (10-2) at Towcester 2m nh nov hdl (3) sft in Dec.
One Gulp 5-2fav (11-1) Held up in touch, every chance 3 out, soon ridden, led last, ran on, won at Leicester 2m 4f nov hdl (3) sft in Dec beating Rock Wren (10-7) by 2l, 16 ran.
Viking Rebel (IRE) 5-4fav (11-12) Held up, headway to chase leaders approaching 4 out, led 2 out, headed towards finish, 2nd of 16, 1/2l behind Quws Law (11-6) at Ayr 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) hvy.
