made most, driven and headed narrowly approaching 2 out, every chance last, soon ridden, no extra and held towards finish
raced keenly, held up towards rear, headway 5th, tracked leaders next, 4th and outpaced before 2 out, soon beaten
not fluent 1st, mid-division, chased leaders 4 out, driven next, never on terms, weakened 2 out, tailed off
towards rear, headway 4 out, driven to chase leaders before next, soon ridden, never able to challenge
raced keenly, held up behind, headway 6th, soon tracked leaders, went 3rd after 3 out, ridden after next, plugged on same pace, no chance with front pair
prominent early, behind from 4th, no danger after
took keen hold, held up towards rear, headway and in touch 2nd, hit next, blundered 5th, soon lost place, weakened after 4 out
held up behind, pushed along after 4 out, never involved
never better than mid-division, lost place 6th, weakened 4 out
chased front pair to before 4 out, soon ridden and weakened, tailed off when pulled up 2 out
tracked leaders to 5th, struggling next, weakened 3 out, behind when pulled up before next
raced wide, pressed leader, effort 3 out, led narrowly approaching next, soon ridden, stayed on well towards finish
An interesting novices’ hurdle which features five previous winners. Nicky Henderson runs two with claimer Ned Curtis keeping the ride on course winner Laughing Luis and Nico de Boinville partnering the hurdling newcomer Jen's Boy. CHEF D’EQUIPE (NAP) is probably better known as a chaser but David Maxwell rode him to a wide-margin victory over the smaller obstacles at Taunton last time and is fancied to follow up in this more competitive affair ahead of Clondaw Anchor, who will be suited by a return to a longer trip. Imperial Acolyte may also enjoy the step up in distance but Mon Port has disappointed this season and has had a wind operation and is also tried in headgear.
Chef D'Equipe (FR) 2-5fav (11-4) Jumped well, made all, clear after 3rd until bend after 5th, went clear again next, kept on strongly, unchallenged, won at Taunton 2m 3f (4) gd in Jan beating Soldier Of Love (11-4) by 29l, 5 ran.
Clondaw Anchor (IRE) 7-4fav (11-4) Led, pushed along and joined over 2 out, headed 2 out, no impression and weakened into 3rd final 100 yards, 3rd of 18, 5 1/2l behind Champagne Court (10-12) at Lingfield 2m (4) gs in Nov.
Imperial Acolyte 7-4 (11-4) Chased leaders, effort 2 out, weakened last, 5th of 12, 10 3/4l behind Northern Soul (10-12) at Wetherby 2m (4) gs in Dec.
Laughing Luis 7-4 (10-12) Chased leaders, slow 1st, switched right after 2 out, challenged last, led flat, stayed on, won at Leicester 2m (3) gf in Dec beating Early Learner (10-5) by 3/4l, 4 ran.
Mon Port (IRE) Evensfav (11-5) Led, slightly hampered by loose horse and clear 2nd until reduced lead and hit 2 out (normal 3 out), headed bypassing omitted last, kept on same pace, no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 15l behind Firmage Burg (10-5) at Fontwell 2m 2f (4) gd in Nov.
Fortescue 66-1 (11-4) Always behind, tailed off 4 out, pulled up before next, at Exeter 2m 3f mdn (4) gs in Jan.
Jen's Boy 5-6fav (10-12) Tracked leaders, went 2nd after 2f until over 3f out, soon pushed along, led over 1f out, edged right inside final furlong, headed close home, 2nd of 4, shd behind Granitic (11-2) at Towcester 2m mdn (4) gf in May.
Mr Palmtree (IRE) 50-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, mistake 7th, weakened before 3 out, 10th of 11, dist behind Smackwater Jack (11-6) at Ludlow 2m 5f mdn (4) gs in Jan.
Roccowithlove 11-2 (11-0) Mid-division, pushed along 7f out, weakened over 5f out, 8th of 11, 26 3/4l behind Hazzaar (11-0) at Ascot 2m (4) gs in Nov.
Royal Reef (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Towards rear, headway halfway, soon weakened, pulled up before 5 out, at Southwell 3m (4) gs in Dec.
Super Mac (IRE) 4-1 (11-0) Mid-division, ridden and weakened over 6f out, last of 9, dist behind King Roland (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m (5) hvy in Dec.
The Captains Inn (IRE) 3-1fav (11-0) Led, headed 7f out, led over 3f out, headed over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 14, 11 3/4l behind Keep Rolling (11-0) at Warwick 2m (5) gs in Dec.
