tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, kept on same pace
tracked clear leader, led between 3 out and 2 out, jumped left final 2 flights, ran on, readily
led, soon 3 lengths clear, ridden and headed between 3 out and 2 out, soon weakened
in touch, headway to track leaders 4 out, chased winner 2 out, ridden and found little when hit last
towards rear, short lived effort when not fluent 3 out
held up, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, hit next
close up, pushed along 4 out, soon lost place
Canyon City, placed four times on the Flat in France, made a promising hurdling debut at Warwick before winning here last month. He faces better opposition today including Theclockisticking, who could hardly have been more impressive at Fakenham coming home 32l lengths clear and is obviously a smart prospect. CAUSE TOUJOURS won a bumper and started favourite for the championship event at Cheltenham and also on his hurdling debut at Uttoxeter where he led on the run-in before blowing up close home. He'll strip fitter here and can gain his first victory over obstacles. Burning Heat was placed four times over hurdles last season but has become disappointing and though Freddy With A Y has won five races on the level, last month's victory came over 7f on Polytrack.
Canyon City 5-2 (10-12) Chased leaders, 2nd going well 2 out, led narrowly last, found extra and asserted final 100 yards, won at Huntingdon 2m (4) gd in Oct beating Desiremoi D'authie (10-12) by 1 1/4l, 10 ran.
Theclockisticking (IRE) 9-4 (10-12) Tracked leader, led approaching 2 out, clear approaching last, comfortable, won at Fakenham 2m (4) gd in Oct beating Holryale (10-12) by 32l, 6 ran.
Burning Heat (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Fell 1st, at Huntingdon 2m 4f (4) gd in Nov.
Cause Toujours (FR) 10-11fav (10-12) Mid-division, headway on outside after 4 out, tracked leader after next, upsides last, ridden and every chance flat, no extra towards finish, 4th of 14, 2 1/4l behind Midnight Shadow (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m (4) sft in Oct.
Freddy With A Y (IRE) 7-1 (9-10) Prominent, ridden over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 5th of 14, 6 3/4l behind Kafeel (9-5) at Kempton 1m hcp (6) pol in Oct.
Nicolosio (IRE) 33-1 (11-4) Mid-division, struggling 4 out, soon behind, tailed off, last of 11, dist behind Azzuri (11-4) at Huntingdon 2m mdn (4) sft in Mar.
The Resdev Way 50-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, mistake 3rd, weakened 5 out, tailed off, 9th of 11, dist behind Springtown Lake (11-0) at Worcester 2m 4f mdn (5) gd in Oct.
Maronette Milan filly out of Wyldello.
