waited with in rear, gained a place 6th, chasing leaders before 3 out, challenging in 2nd between horses when hit 2 out, shaken up and rallied last, sustained challenge run-in, stayed on to lead inside final 100 yards, bit in hand
last pair, dropped to rear and struggling 6th, plugged on in moderate 5th after 3 out, tailed off
wore hood to post, tracked leader until after 4th, went 2nd again before 7th until 3 out, weakened rapidly, tailed off and pulled up before next
led until 6th, lost 2nd before next, chased leaders, weakened quickly after 7th, mistake next, tailed off 9th, pulled up soon after
held up off the pace in 5th, closer into 4th at 6th, 3rd at 2 out, well held when dropped to 4th last
soon off the pace in 4th, closer at 6th, 2nd travelling well 3 out, pushed along and lost 2nd 2 out, soon outpaced, went modest 3rd last
chased leaders, went 2nd after 4th, went right next, led 6th, hit 3 out, ridden between last two, stayed on until headed and not pace of winner inside final 100 yards
Danilo D'Airy has won his last three over fences in modest company but has never managed a place over hurdles. High Stakes was beaten when falling at the last in the Challow Hurdle at Newbury but this looks easier. Ballygrifincottage arrives off the back of a third in a Grade 2 at Cheltenham, where he only weakened approaching the last, and will be fancied to resume winning ways but it’s interesting that Gavin Cromwell sends over the maiden FAMEAFTERTHEGLORY, who has been very well supported in his two hurdle runs and has plenty of scope for improvement. Most of the others are proven on heavy ground so can’t be ignored.
Ballygrifincottage (IRE) 22-1 (10-12) Mid-division, in close 3rd 3 out, pushed along and led between last two flights, narrowly headed before last, ridden and kept on but no extra run-in, 3rd of 6, 6 1/4l behind Blazing Khal (11-3) at Cheltenham 3m (1) gs in Dec.
Blade Runner (FR) 15-2 (11-2) Chased leading pair, not fluent 2nd, hit 4th, pushed along and lost 3rd before 3 out, weakened, mistake next, closed on tiring 3rd, 4th of 8, 19 1/2l behind World Of Dreams (11-8) at Plumpton 2m 5f (3) sft in Jan.
Crossing Lines (IRE) 7-2 (11-2) Led until 2 out, hung left and beaten 3rd before last, one pace, 3rd of 8, 8 1/2l behind Mahon Point (11-2) at Chepstow 2m 3f (4) hvy in Jan.
Danilo D'Airy (FR) 4-1 (11-7) Jumped well, made all, came clear from 2 out, out, stayed on strongly, unchallenged, won at Ffos Las 3m 1f hcp (4) hvy in Dec beating Petite Power (11-12) by 14l, 10 ran.
Dom Of Mary (FR) 11-10fav (11-2) Chased leaders, switched right after 3 out, challenged 2 out, led between last 2, jumped right and headed last, no impression on winner flat, 2nd of 8, 3 1/2l behind Mahon Point (11-2) at Chepstow 2m 3f (4) hvy in Jan.
Fameaftertheglory 13-8fav (12-0) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, on terms 3 out, pushed along 2 out, led briefly after 2 out, ridden and headed before last, no impression, kept on same pace, 2nd of 16, 3 1/2l behind Bold Getaway (11-6) at Limerick 2m 5f mdn hvy in Dec.
High Stakes (IRE) 28-1 (11-7) Led, went right 2nd, pushed along and headed approaching 2 out, lost 2nd 2 out, soon ridden, 4th and weakening when fell heavily last, at Newbury 2m 5f (1) sft in Dec.
Bowtogreatness (IRE) 5-2 (10-12) Bit keen tracking leader until 5th, challenged in 2nd 3 out, led narrowly before next, 2 lengths ahead and good jump last, stayed on strongly, ridden out, won at Ffos Las 2m 4f (4) hvy in Dec beating Dalamoi (11-5) by 2l, 8 ran.
