held up in mid-division, ridden 3 out, weakened before next
held up in mid-division, pushed along and headway 3 out, led last, driven out
track leaders, every chance 3 out, soon ridden, weakened next
held up in mid-division, headway to track leaders after 3 out, ridden to challenge last, no extra flat
mid-division, ridden 3 out, out pace when hampered before next
led, headed 3rd, remained close up, weakened after 3 out, fell 2 out
held up towards rear, headway under pressure approaching 2 out, soon ridden, no extra approaching last
mid-division, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out
held up in mid-division, pushed along 4 out, weakened before next
held up towards rear, headway 3 out, effort next, kept on under pressure, flat
held up in touch, every chance 3 out, soon ridden, one pace after next
held up in rear, headway after 4 out, mistake 3 out, weakened between last 2
held up in mid-division, outpaced approaching 4 out
in touch, ridden 4 out, weakened before next
held up in touch, headway 4 out to chase leaders, led 2 out, headed last, kept on under pressure
held up in rear, headway and in touch 3 out, ridden and weakened next
All eyes here will be on Chivalry as he looks to build on his Ayr debut victory against the likes of Konker, Ebinzayd and Shayadi. Trainer Howard Johnson has a plethora of riches this season thanks to Graham Wylie's chequebook, and Chivalry quickly repaid some of his purchase price when beating Vintage Premium on his timber debut at Ayr in November. That form has been let down since, but the Cambridgeshire hero could do no more than he had to, and ominously for the opposition today, Johnson has revealed that Chivalry has been working better than Inglis Drever at home and may well be his main Champion Hurdle hope. If that is the case, then the rest may as well stay at home, but racing is a funny game and anything can happen. Konker has it to do conceding a pound to the selection, while Ebinzayd has an absence to overcome, and if there is to be an upset it may be left to Shayadi to provide it. Formerly a fairly useful Flat handicapper with Mark Johnson, he joined Brian Ellison after being purchased for just over five thousand guineas at the October Sales. After landing a touch in a Leicester on his hurdles debut, he followed up in fine style at Newcastle, and as he would have a double penalty to carry in novice events, is taking the handicap route. If his legs stand up to the rigours of the winter game, he should pay to follow and can make the frame here at least. For the winner though it just has to be Chivalry who can score again before going on to much better things.
