mid-division, lost plce before 5th, soon struggling, tailed off when hit 2out
joined when hit 4 out, headed 3 out, weakened from next
always in rear, ridden and struggling 4 out, tailed off when mistake next
held up in rear, pushed along before 5th, behind when pulled up before 7th
chased leaders, ridden and hit 6th Weakened after 4 out, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
held up in mid-division, steady headway approaching 3 out, ridden to challenge 2 out, led before last, kept on strongly
led, headed when mistake 2nd, chased leader to 4th, weakened under pressure 6th, tailed off
in touch, ridden and weakend before 4 out, tailed off
held up towards rear, headway to chase leaders 6th, led 3 out, ridden next, headed before last, weakened flat
held up in mid division, headway to chase leaders under pressure before 3 out, weakened soon after
held up towards rear, headway after 4 out, ridden after next, 6th and no chance when mistake 2 out, kept on to modest 4th flat
in touch, headway to 2nd at 84th, challenged 4 out, still every chance and ridden 2 out, weakened before last
An interesting handicap hurdle, with The Jigsaw Man arriving here in superb form, Deadline with little weight to carry, and Little Shilling a tough opponent, but we will take them on with GALAXY ROCK. Jonjo O'Neill's gelding races over his optimum trip and acts with cut, while he has been dropped 2lbs since being thrashed in the race won by Lie Forrit at Newbury on Hennessy day. This is nothing like as competitive-a-contest, and with McCoy back on board he can return to winning ways. The Jigsaw Man begins his handicapping career on a mark of 128 after winning both his hurdles starts to date. There are no concerns over the distance for him, but most of his races have been on good or faster ground, so he has to prove himself with juice underfoot and from this mark looks worth taking on. Deadline has dropped to a very handy mark and, although he is none-too-consistent, he has the ability to win this. However, the ground is not entirely in his favour. Tim Vaughan's Little Shilling seems to go on any ground and stays at least this far. He put together a rare sequence of wins this time last year and is only 2lbs higher than his best win, so he is likely to be bang there at the business end. Robo will find this tougher than at Southwell, but is no forlorn hope, though preference is for Galaxy Rock.
Enlightenment (IRE) 12-1 (10-11) In rear, until blundered and unseated rider 3rd, in a race won by French Opera (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs 0-130 (2) sft, 12 ran.
The Jigsaw Man (IRE) 5-6fav (11-5) Led to 2nd, remained prominent, mistake 3 out, soon ridden, led last, driven out, won at Hereford 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Nov beating Peppertree Lane (10-12) by 1 1/4l, 9 ran.
Little Shilling (IRE) 10-1 (11-4) Behind, blundered 3rd, headway into 4th and driven along 13th, struggling 18th, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Buck Mulligan (10-8) at Ludlow 3m 1f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft, 9 ran.
Otage De Brion (FR) 20-1 (11-12) Led, headed approaching 5th, remained prominent, mistake 10th, weakening when crumpled on landing 3 out, soon pulled up, in a race won by Rivaliste (11-4) at Newbury 2m 2f nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Nov, 11 ran.
Helens Vision 8-1 (10-12) With leader, led 5 out, headed 2 out, one pace, 3rd of 10, 1l behind Pagan Starprincess (11-6) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) hvy.
Galaxy Rock (IRE) 20-1 (10-7) Towards rear, headway on outside approaching 7th, lost place 9th, blundered badly 3 out, weakened before next, 11th of 18, 46l behind Lie Forrit (11-8) at Newbury 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gs in Nov.
Sashenka 11-1 (11-12) Led, hit 4th, soon headed, remained prominent, lost place before 4 out, weakening when mistake 3 out, behind when pulled up before next, in a race won by King Ar Aghaidh (11-9) at Kempton 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Nov, 10 ran.
Robo (FR) 8-1 (10-4) Chased leader, led last, driven out, won at Southwell 2m 4f cond nov hdl 4yo+ (4) gd beating Tuskar Rock (10-9) by 1 1/4l, 14 ran.
Comehomequietly (IRE) 10-1 (10-7) Led, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last, 4th of 9, 14l behind Duke Of Lucca (11-0) at Taunton 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Dreams Jewel 33-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, no impression from 2 out, 5th of 15, 15l behind Classic Dream (10-11) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft.
Wine 'n Dine 40-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 5th of 6, 22l behind Pepe Simo (11-8) at Haydock 2m lst nov hdl (4yo+) (1) sft in Nov.
Deadline (UAE) 6-5fav (11-0) Tracked leading pair, chased clear leader from 3rd, closer order 8th, ridden and hung left after 2 out, soon dropped to 3rd, kept on into 2nd last but no chance with easy winner, 2nd of 5, 6l behind Cruise Director (10-11) at Southwell 3m clm hdl (5) gf in Nov.
