held up in touch on outside, led approaching 3 out, clear from next, easily
tracked leaders, challenged approaching 3 out, weakened after next
tracked leader, led 4th, headed approaching 3 out, stayed on same pace from next
held up in touch, chased winner 2 out, no impression, hit last
held up, headway when not fluent 6th, ridden when not fluent 3 out, weakened approaching last
held up, 6th 3 out, soon weakened
led until 4th, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out
tracked leaders on inside, lost place 6th, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off
It's a long time since Lightning Strike showed any worthwhile form but Piraya ran a lot better when put back over hurdles at Ascot last month and has been dropped a couple of pounds since. Triptico still has some scope but finished well beaten when favourite for a maiden hurdle at Uttoxeter last month and EBONY RIVER is preferred. Staying certainly seems to be his game and Jennie Candlish has wasted no time stepping him back up in trip after he went down by a short-head to Radmore's Revenge at Bangor last month. None of the remaining quartet can be ignored but all struggle to get their head in front.
Lightning Strike (GER) 20-1 (11-7) In touch, hit 7th and 4 out, weakened next, tailed off, 8th of 18, well behind Our Father (11-11) at Ascot 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft in Dec.
Whispering Jack 15-2 (11-7) Tracked leaders on outside, ridden approaching 2 out, no extra last, 6th of 11, 12l behind Fox Appeal (11-2) at Taunton 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Dec.
Piraya (FR) 20-1 (10-11) Chased leading trio, not fluent 3rd, went 2nd before 4 out, lost 2nd well before 2 out, soon ridden and one pace in 3rd, weakened to modest 4th final 150 yards, 4th of 18, 18l behind Our Father (11-11) at Ascot 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft in Dec.
Triptico (FR) 5-2fav (11-0) Tracked leaders, mistake 5th, ridden after next, went 3rd 3 out, weakened next, tailed off, 3rd of 12, 41l behind Harry Topper (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f NH mdn hdl (5) sft in Dec.
Ebony River (IRE) 6-4fav (11-9) Tracked leaders, mistake 6th, led 2 out, soon ridden, kept on and headed towards finish, 2nd of 8, hd behind Radmores Revenge (11-2) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) hvy in Dec.
Caulfields Venture (IRE) 50-1 (11-1) Held up in rear, headway to chase leaders 3 out, effort next, soon one pace, 4th of 14, 20l behind Water Garden (11-2) at Ascot 3m nov hcp hdl 0-120 (4) sft in Dec.
Am I Blue 25-1 (10-5) Led until 3rd, chased leaders, ridden and weakened after 7th, tailed off 3 out, 8th of 11, well behind Emmaslegend (10-11) at Ascot 2m 6f mares hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Nov.
Mercury Bay (IRE) 5-1 (10-2) Held up mid-division, ridden after 4 out, soon chased leaders, weakened before last, 5th of 9, 25l behind Radetsky March (11-12) at Ffos Las 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) hvy in Dec.
