mid-division on inside, pushed along and weakened home turn
mid-division, pushed along 3 out, could not go pace of leaders 2 out when not fluent, rallied approaching last, kept on well flat, led close home
held up, pushed along and outpaced from 4 out, plugged on from 2 out, stayed on strongly from last
in rear, not fluent early, headway under pressure home turn, mistake 2 out when chasing leaders, outpaced last, no extra final 100 yards
led, ridden and hard pressed 2 out, headed last, no extra flat
prominent, hard ridden home turn, upsides 2 out, led narrowly last when not fluent, stayed on well flat, headed close home
mid-division, ridden and outpaced home turn, keeping on approaching last when slightly short of room, rapid late headway to finish never neared 3rd
always towards rear, pulled up before 2 out
mid-division out wide, struggling and dropped to rear 3 out, tailed off
NonRunner
A competitive finale with SPIKE JONES seeking to supplement gains over Christmas when he landed a second hurdling success. He's proving a pretty consistent staying hurdler in or around this level of competition and gets on really well with Danny Burton. He's likely to run his race on what we've seen to date and can handle a 3lb rise for that latest success. Jet Smart has joint topweight but has disappointed rather in novice hurdles. Cheekpieces are now applied and maybe the move into handicaps will elicit some improvement as he's not one to give up on yet. Golden Cosmos is another whom we may not have yet seen the best of, whilst the consistent Learntalot and promising Uttoxeter runner-up, William Philo, could also play a role in a decent contest.
Jet Smart (IRE) 18-1 (11-0) Towards rear, headway into mid-division 5th, pushed along home turn, plugged on, never threatened, 4th of 14, 32 3/4l behind Timeforatune (11-7) at Taunton 2m 3f (4) gs in Dec.
Gerico Ville (FR) 11-2 (11-13) Mid-division, pushed along 3 out, outpaced 2 out, stayed on strongly from last for 3rd, 3rd of 9, 1 3/4l behind Allo Allo (11-10) at Fakenham 2m 7f hcp (4) gs in Jan.
Spike Jones 7-2 (11-1) Held up in rear, pushed along final circuit, ridden along after 3 out, progress into 4th, jumped to front 2 out, clear lead last, ran on well, won at Fontwell 3m 2f hcp (4) gs in Dec beating Martha Brae (11-8) by 1 3/4l, 9 ran.
Learntalot (IRE) 11-2 (11-8) Prominent, ridden to challenge before 3 out, kept on from last, 2nd of 7, 3 1/4l behind Imperial Storm (12-0) at Wetherby 3m hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Has Troke (FR) 16-1 (11-4) Mid-division, strong reminders approaching 7th, ridden after next, ran on, never dangerous, 7th of 13, 18 3/4l behind Gilbertina (11-4) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Hurricane Vichi (IRE) 5-2fav (11-6) Chased leader, pushed along and outpaced approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out, 8th of 9, 21 1/4l behind Allo Allo (11-10) at Fakenham 2m 7f hcp (4) gs in Jan.
William Philo 11-2 (11-7) Disputed lead, not fluent 1st, led clearly after 4 out, pushed along home turn, headed 3 out, battled on well thereafter, every chance last, ridden run-in and held towards finish, 2nd of 14, 1/2l behind Shot Boii (11-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 7f hcp (5) hvy in Dec.
Gold Clermont (FR) 15-2 (11-8) In rear, ridden before 7th, closed when not fluent 9th, struggling 3 out, plugged on after mistake 2 out, went 3rd flat, 3rd of 8, 25l behind The Imposter (10-8) at Lingfield 2m 7f hcp (5) hvy in Dec.
Fiamette (IRE) 40-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, pushed along before 3 out, weakened before next, 6th of 14, 28l behind Colonial Empire (12-0) at Ffos Las 2m hcp (5) sft in Dec.
Golden Cosmos (IRE) 6-1 (11-10) Chased leaders out wide, went 2nd before 3 out until 3 out, chased leaders, weakened last, 5th of 11, 6 1/4l behind Sacre Coeur (11-13) at Haydock 3m hcp (4) sft in Dec.
