held up in touch, in 3rd from 3 out, weakened from last
tracked leaders in 3rd, weakened after 3 out, pulled up
led, headed 3 out, chased winner, no impression from 2 out, hit last
tracked leader, led 3 out, clear from 2 out, easily
in rear, outpaced from 3 out, went remote 3rd after last, never dangerous
GENERAL GIRLING returned to action with an easy win over these hurdles and is hard to oppose in this company despite an 8lb rise. Tilinisi finished a bit closer when sixth at Plumpton recently while Highbury High won off a higher mark over fences at Market Rasen on his latest start but that was back in March last year. Element Quartet has yet to threaten over timber and Burgess Dream has failed to complete his last couple of starts.
Highbury High (IRE) 6-1 (10-11) Chased leaders, went 2nd 5 out, challenged 3 out, pressed leader 2 out, led after last, kept on, won at Market Rasen 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Mar beating Hatters River (11-9) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
Tilinisi (IRE) 9-2fav (11-11) In touch, ridden after 3 out, kept on same pace and no impression next, 6th of 9, 4 3/4l behind Dragon City (10-13) at Plumpton 2m 5f hcp (5) gs in Nov.
Burgess Dream (IRE) 14-1 (11-5) Held up, jumped slowly 3rd, headway 7th, ridden after 3 out, 5th when mistake 2 out, weakened and pulled up before last, at Fontwell 2m 3f hcp (5) sft in Oct.
General Girling 9-2 (10-6) Tracked leaders in 4th, 2nd before 4 out, challenged going well 3 out, led well before 2 out, soon clear, very easily, won at Fontwell 3m 2f hcp (5) sft in Nov beating Maccabees (10-8) by 24l, 6 ran.
Element Quartet (IRE) 11-2 (10-3) Chased clear leader until before 3 out, soon outpaced, 5th of 9, 12l behind Western Goose (11-12) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp (5) gf in Sep.
