led, headed 5th, weakened after
mid-division, ridden after 4th, weakened after 3 out
tracked leaders, led 3 out, ridden when headed after 2 out, faded
mid-division, ridden and some progress after 3 out, soon one pace
in touch, not fluent 2nd, reminders 4th, soon weakened
tracked leaders, mistake 3rd, ridden to chase leader 3 out, every chance 2 out, weakened soon after and jumped left last
mid-division, ridden and weakened 5th
mid-division, mistake 4th, ridden and weakened after 2 out
towards rear, tailed off after 4th
keen, awkward 2nd, behind approaching 3 out
in touch, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, weakened after 2 out
held up, behind after 4th
held up mid-division, headway after 4th, led last, ran on well
held up towards rear, headway 5th, ridden to lead briefly after 2 out, one pace approaching last
Wyldello gets the vote here over Hobbs Hill and Abit Irish. The selection hails from a stable in good form and this lightly-raced mare made a really pleasing debut over hurdles when chasing home La Dame Brune at Warwick. She has also shown some decent bumper form and as we also know she will handle the ground, she does stand out as the one to beat. Hobbs Hill also made a pleasing debut in this sphere when chasing home Amaretto Rose at Ascot last year. He should go well but this ground is not ideal for him and for that reason we will take him on today. Abit Irish finished a well beaten fourth on his British debut at Taunton, but he raced very keenly that day and this French recruit could be seen to better effect today if he is able to settle. Kathleens Pride made a pleasing enough debut at Huntingdon and if he can build on that then Tom George's 7-year-old might be capable of making the frame. It will be a surprise if any of the others are good enough to trouble the judge, and we are happy to return to Wyldello as our confident selection.
Abit Irish (NZ) 66-1 (10-12) Led, ridden and headed 6th, weakened approaching 2 out, 4th of 13, 33l behind My Turn Now (11-6) at Taunton 2m 1f nov hdl (3) sft in Dec.
Blazing Guns (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Mid-division until weakened after 3 out, 9th of 17, 34l behind Le Burf (10-9) at Wincanton 2m mdn hdl (4) sft.
Darizan (IRE) 9-1 (10-5) In touch, stumbled on bend after 4th, weakened 7th, 12th of 16, well behind Jades Double (9-12) at Fontwell 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) sft in Dec.
Deep Reflection 25-1 (11-6) Held up and mistakes, weakened from 6th, behind when pulled up 3 out in race won by Mister Potter (11-6) at Haydock 2m 4f nov hdl (4) hvy, 10 ran.
Hoober 50-1 (11-0) Always behind, tailed off, 10th of 13, well behind Once A Brownie (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Kathleens Pride (IRE) 20-1 (11-5) In touch, disputed lead from 5th until 3 out, soon no impression, 4th of 16, 16l behind French Saulaie (11-11) at Huntingdon 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft.
Native City (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) Mid-division until weakened after 3 out, 9th of 18, more than 8l behind Fredensborg (11-0) at Wincanton 2m mdn hdl (4) sft.
Oiseau de Nuit (FR) 100-1 (11-6) Held up, headway after 6th, ridden when mistake last, soon weakened, 5th of 11, 36l behind Classic Fiddle (10-13) at Hereford 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) hvy.
Red Hussar 50-1 (8-10) Behind, ridden and lost touch 4f out, tailed off, 12th of 13, well behind Phoenix Eye (9-0) at W'hampton 1m 1f banded stk (7) pol in Oct '05 (Flat).
Ronsard (IRE) 12-1 (8-11) Took keen hold, always behind, last of 12, 16l behind Qaasi (9-2) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcap (6) pol in Nov (Flat).
Slavedriver 80-1 (11-1) Always in rear, 14th of 18, well behind Buster Hyvonen (11-11) at Huntingdon 2m nov hdl (4) sft.
Themanfromfraam 100-1 (10-12) Mid-division, ridden 7th, weakened after 3 out, 9th of 13, 40l behind City Streets (10-12) at Taunton 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Final Over 100-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, brief effort after 8th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Tambourine Davis (11-8) at Ludlow 2m 5f mrs nov hdl (3) gs in Dec, 11 ran.
Wyldello 5-6fav (10-12) In touch, raced wide, pushed along 7th, led approaching 2 out, headed after last, one pace, 2nd of 16, 1l behind La Dame Brune (11-5) at Warwick 2m 5f mrs nov hdl (4) hvy in Dec.
Oldrik (GER) 5-1 (10-12) Pulled hard, led 3rd, ridden and headed after 3 out, gradually faded, 8th of 15, 43l behind Raslan (11-5) at Wincanton 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) sft.
Hobbs Hill 4-1 (10-12) Led, ridden and headed after 2 out, held when stumbled last, 2nd of 16, 13l behind Amaretto Rose (10-5) at Ascot 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
