made all, nudged along before 3 out, ridden before 2 out, kept on well from last
left second 1st, disputed second after 5th, not fluent 7th, went second 3 out, headway to challenge approaching 2 out, ridden after last, made no impression on winner
disputing second when jumped big and dropped to last 1st, disputed second after 5th, dropped to rear 3 out, soon weakened
Fascinating to see AMOOLA GOLD revert to hurdling for the first time since October 2018. He's looked on the downgrade over the past year until posting a much-better effort in a decent Class 3 handicap at Wetherby over Christmas. Hopefully, he can reproduce that improvement returned to timber and is taken to outclass his rivals. Windtothelightning is a key threat but was due to run at Sedgefield yesterday and may not come on here. He'd be dangerous if doing so though after a really good hurdling debut last time. King Alexander was beaten a long way last time but is respected on previous efforts, with similar comments applicable to Major Fortune. Both therefore have questions to answer but both are also worth keeping on eye on. City Roller didn't run too badly last time and isn't completely ruled out.
Amoola Gold (GER) 16-1 (11-9) Prominent, pushed along 3 out, lost second approaching last, soon no extra, 3rd of 10, 12 1/4l behind The Paddy Pie (10-2) at Wetherby 2m 3f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
King Alexander (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Chased leaders on inside, not always fluent, lost place before 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 14, dist behind Hitching Jacking (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f (4) gs in Dec.
Major Fortune (IRE) 17-2 (11-4) Mid-division, ridden and struggling after 6th, 9th of 12, dist behind Western Zephyr (11-4) at Ludlow 2m mdn (4) gs in Nov.
City Roller (IRE) 80-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, ran around approaching 2nd, ridden 2 out, kept on same pace, 5th of 14, 16 1/2l behind Western Zephyr (11-8) at Huntingdon 2m (4) gs in Jan.
Windtothelightning (IRE) 11-2 (10-13) Chased leaders, pushed along and went close 3rd after 3 out, mistake 2 out, ridden and edged left run-in, no impression, 3rd of 7, 2 1/4l behind Touchy Feely (11-0) at Doncaster 2m 3f (3) gd in Nov.
