raced wide, tracked leaders led going well and hung left before 2 out, clear when went left and hit last, kept on strongly
last pair, never a factor, outpaced 3 out, modest 5th approaching last
raced wide, tracked leader, hit 5th, every chance 3 out, 2nd approaching next until approaching last, weakened run-in
raced on inside, tracked leaders, pushed along after 3 out, weakened before next
in touch, outpaced 3 out, rallied next, went 2nd approaching the last, one pace and no chance with winner
held up in touch, headway approaching 2 out, went 3rd last, ridden and kept on same pace run-in
led until pushed along and headed before 2 out, soon lost 2nd, hung right and weakened between last 2
held up in rear, some headway on inside before 6th, outpaced and reminders in rear 3 out, tailed off and pulled up soon after
KNOCKNANUSS has finished runner-up in novice events the last twice and may prove good enough now handicapping for the first time. Broughtons Rhythm won a novices' handicap at Uttoxeter and should be sharper for last month’s comeback but Rafafie is 5lb higher than his success at Chepstow back in March. Champagne George won a novice event over these hurdles earlier and Its'afreebee continues to tumble down the weights without yet showing any benefit.
Knocknanuss (IRE) 5-4fav (11-12) Raced keenly, led, clear 4th until 3 out, pushed along before 2 out, headed last, stayed on same pace run-in, 2nd of 13, 2 1/2l behind Lisp (10-7) at Plumpton 2m (4) sft in Dec.
Le Precieux (FR) 66-1 (11-4) Held up and always towards rear, never involved, tailed off, last of 12, dist behind Verdana Blue (11-11) at Ascot 2m hcp (2) gs in Nov.
Vicenzo Mio (FR) 50-1 (10-0) Held up towards rear, steady headway on inside approaching 3 out, chased leaders next, weakened approaching last, 6th of 12, 8 1/2l behind Old Guard (11-12) at Newbury 2m 5f hcp (2) gs in Dec.
Its'afreebee (IRE) 7-2 (11-3) 2nd until after 1st, chased leaders, ridden and weakened after 7th, 5th of 7, 34 1/2l behind One For Harry (11-12) at Haydock 2m 3f hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
Notre Ami (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Towards rear, headway on inside chasing leaders approaching 2 out, ridden and weakened between last 2, 6th of 15, 9 3/4l behind Kildisart (11-0) at Ascot 2m 3f mdn (3) gs in Nov.
Broughtons Rhythm 11-2 (10-12) Always behind, 6th of 7, 19 1/4l behind Global Thrill (10-1) at Kempton 2m hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Champagne George (IRE) 7-1 (10-13) Chased leaders until lost place 2nd, soon in rear, tailed off 4th, went right 6th, pulled up soon after, at Lingfield 2m 3f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Rafafie 7-2fav (10-5) Keen in rear, headway on inner soon after 4 out to tracked leaders, ridden when hit 2 out, faded flat, 3rd of 8, 12 1/4l behind Sykes (11-11) at Ffos Las 2m 6f hcp (3) hvy in Nov.
