in rear, asked for effort over 2 out, one paced thereafter
close up, disputed lead 4 out, ridden before 2 out, switched left and kept on run-in, always held
mid-division, asked for effort before 3 out, edged right before last, no extra soon after
towards rear, pushed along before 3 out, no impression before 2 out, went fourth towards finish
led, ran green when asked for effort 2 out, led clearly last, edged right run-in, kept on close home
BORNTOBEALEADER is taken to defy a penalty having won at Ludlow recently in a first-time hood. He had Record Art well back in third on that occasion and connections of the latter will be hoping today's headgear as the same effect on their charge. Milton Harris sent out last year’s winner and Cabrakan debuts over hurdles having won on the all-weather on the Flat but Play By The Rules failed to win on the level and also makes his hurdling bow.
Borntobealeader (IRE) 5-2fav (11-0) Held up in rear, smooth headway to challenge 3 out, mistake and led 2 out, hit last, easily, won at Ludlow 2m (4) gd in Nov beating Balgowan (11-0) by 7l, 8 ran.
Cabrakan (IRE) 22-1 (8-13) Slowly into stride, driven away from stalls, in rear, pushed along over 2f out, never a factor, last of 11, 8 1/2l behind Haunted Dream (9-12) at Southwell 1m 3f hcp (3) pol in Sep.
Play By The Rules (IRE) 50-1 (9-2) Held up towards rear, closed on inside over 7f out, led over 5f out, headed over 4f out, weakened rapidly, last of 9, 34 1/2l behind Jacovec Cavern (9-2) at Ffos Las 1m 4f hcp (5) gd in Aug.
Record Art (FR) 6-1 (11-0) Led, veered badly left 1st, headed and slow jump 2nd, driven along 3 out, no impression, 4th of 8, 17 1/2l behind Borntobealeader (11-0) at Ludlow 2m (4) gd in Nov.
Romancero Le Dun (FR) 12-1 (11-0) Green to post, green on run to 1st where jumped big and slow and unseated rider, at Warwick 2m (4) gs in Nov.
