tracked leaders on outside, jumped left 1st, jumped right 5th, ridden before 3 out, one pace and held when mistake 2 out
led 1st, not fluent 4 out, headed 3 out, no impression on winner final 100 yards, kept on
not jump well in mid-division, reminders 3rd, behind from 5th
prominent on inside, not fluent 3rd, led 3 out, blundered 2 out, soon headed, beaten after, mistake last, stayed on same pace flat
held up in rear, some headway and 7th before 3 out, stayed on flat, never nearer
tracked leaders, not fluent 1st, lost place 3rd, 6th and no impression before 3 out
held up towards rear on outside, mistake 1st, headway after 4 out, weakened before 3 out
slowed into the hurdles, led, headed 1st, lost place 5th, soon behind
prominent, not much room and lost place 5th, well held 3 out
chased leaders, hampered 1st, 2nd 2 out, soon led, clear towards finish, stayed on
mid-division on inside, headway after 4 out, 3rd when mistake last, kept on same pace flat
held up, hampered 1st, weakened before 3 out
Honest Vic won a bumper on very fast ground and a novices' hurdle at Stratford last month on good going where he was impressive. If he handles these conditions he'll be thereabouts. GORTROE JOE (NAP) hasn't been beaten far in either of his two races over timber, the latest a Listed contest at Haydock on heavy going. He's going the right way and looks the one to beat. Casterly Rock showed potential in bumpers and was in touch for a long way on his hurdling debut at Kempton last month so he looks certain to improve but dual bumper winner Melangerie has been a short-priced beaten favourite in her two runs over timber and may eventually need further.
Honest Vic (IRE) 9-2 (10-12) Tracked leaders, went 2nd after 2 out, led before last, soon clear, easily, won at Stratford 2m (3) gd in Nov beating Blazon (10-12) by 8l, 10 ran.
Casterly Rock (IRE) 9-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, mistake 1st, under pressure when blundered 2 out, soon weakened, 5th of 12, 11 1/2l behind Mister Malarky (10-12) at Kempton 2m (4) gs in Nov.
Cobbler's Son 25-1 (11-0) Mid-division, pushed along going out on last circuit, weakened inside final mile, soon behind, 9th of 14, 23 1/2l behind Article Fifty (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m (6) gs in Nov.
Eaton Miller (IRE) 100-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, mistake 4th, well beaten before 3 out, 9th of 16, 35 3/4l behind New To This Town (11-0) at Ludlow 2m mdn (4) gs in Nov.
Gortroe Joe (IRE) 7-1 (11-0) Held up in 5th, tracked leaders after 4 out, driven and one pace after 2 out, ridden and kept on under pressure after last, held when no extra closing stages, 5th of 7, 3l behind Delire D'estruval (11-0) at Haydock 2m lst (1) hvy in Nov.
Hattaab 7-2 (11-3) Took keen hold in touch, headway chasing leaders over 3f out, led over 2f out until headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 9, 5 1/2l behind Represented (11-3) at Taunton 2m mdn (4) gd in Nov.
Supakalanistic (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Not fluent in rear, lost touch after 4 out, tailed off next, pulled up after, at Ludlow 2m 5f (3) gd in Nov.
Taken By Force (IRE) 100-1 (11-8) Towards rear, mistake 4 out, soon pushed along and soon weakened, 6th of 7, dist behind Royal Beekeeper (10-12) at Ludlow 2m (4) gs in Dec.
The Draconian (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Raced wide close up, loosing ground when hit 4 out, weakened next, 5th of 9, dist behind Waterlord (10-12) at Bangor 2m 1f (4) hvy in Dec.
Tis What It Is (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Towards rear, pushed along 3rd, ridden and weakened 5th, tailed off 3 out, 7th of 9, dist behind Waterlord (10-12) at Bangor 2m 1f (4) hvy in Dec.
Trigger Nichol (IRE) 14-1 (10-12) Held up mid-division, pushed along before halfway, soon lost place, last of 10, dist behind I'm To Blame (10-12) at Catterick 2m (6) gs in Nov.
Melangerie 7-4fav (10-5) Chased leaders, not fluent 2nd, every chance 2 out, switched right before last, stayed on same pace flat, 3rd of 8, 6 1/2l behind Destrier (10-12) at Leicester 2m (3) gs in Nov.
Scorpion Princess (IRE) 12-1 (10-7) Mid-division, weakened from 4 out, 7th of 14, 25 1/2l behind Mahlervous (11-0) at Southwell 2m mdn (4) gd in Dec.
Timetobenefit (IRE) 150-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, headway after 4 out, outpaced before next, weakened, 8th of 10, 30 1/2l behind Sunshade (11-4) at Ludlow 2m mdn (4) gd in Nov.
Urtheonethatiwant (IRE) 100-1 (11-0) Mid-division, not much room 3rd, well beaten before 3 out, 11th of 16, dist behind New To This Town (11-0) at Ludlow 2m mdn (4) gs in Nov.
Vbadge Treat (FR) 14-1 (10-12) Always towards rear, last of 18, at Aintree 2m 1f (4) gs in Oct.
