led, sometimes jumped right, ridden and headed after 7th, 3rd and beaten 2 out, weakening when blundered last
tracked leader, not fluent 7th, hit 2 out, soon ridden and headed, unable to quicken
took keen hold, tracked leaders, lost ground on leaders from 5th, went 3rd after 7th, closed 3 out, went 2nd next, soon led, ran on well
held up, took keen hold, headway 4th, weakened after 7th
held up, took keen hold, headway when not fluent 5th, not fluent 6th, mistake and weakened next, tailed off
tracked leaders, not fluent 2nd, last 5th, weakened 7th, tailed off
Stonethrower won at Fakenham and Wincanton before finding Mike Towey too strong over a slightly longer trip here last time. He faces an equally tough task today conceding 7lb to OASIS KNIGHT. Successful twice in decent company on the Flat for Marcus Tregoning, the five-year-old was runner-up to subsequent Supreme Novice Hurdle winner Al Ferof on his hurdling debut so it was a surprise that it took him a further three attempts to get off the mark over timber. Sharpened up by a run in a Listed race on the Flat at York last month, Nicky Henderson's charge should add to his tally here. The others look to be playing for places.
Stonethrower (IRE) 9-4 (11-10) Tended to jump right, led at steady pace, ridden and pressed from 3 out, headed last, not pace of winner, 2nd of 6, 2 3/4l behind Mike Towey (10-12) at Ffos Las 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gf in May.
Oasis Knight (IRE) 5-2 (10-12) With leader, definate lead 7th, ridden approaching last, ran on, won at Aintree 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gd in May beating Phoenix Flight (10-9) by 5l, 7 ran.
Conellie 6-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, chased winner 4 out, no impression next, dropped to 3rd before last, 3rd of 8, 19l behind Sorcillera (10-5) at Ffos Las 2m nh nov hdl (4) gf.
Hi Wycombe (IRE) 80-1 (10-2) Led until 7th, weakened after 9th, tailed off, 10th of 15, well behind Chit Chat (10-13) at Worcester 3m nov hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd.
Argaum (IRE) 20-1 (10-10) Held up towards rear, went poor 4th and blundered 2 out, never dangerous, 5th of 9, 39l behind Cygnet (11-0) at Southwell 2m mdn hdl (5) gd in May.
Weldone Honey 12-1 (10-5) Fell 1st, in a race won by Pinerock (10-12) at Worcester 3m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Sep, 6 ran.
