in rear, not fluent, pushed along 6th, beginning to close when mistake 3 out, hampered next, stayed on flat, went 2nd towards finish, unable to trouble winner
mid-division, headway after 6th, mistake 8th, led before 3 out, clear last, stayed on well
in touch in mid-division, closed from 7th, went 2nd 3 out, 2 1/2 lengths down when fell 2 out
tracked leader, reminder after 7th, lost place 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off
mid-division, outpaced after 7th, rallied before 3 out, one pace and no impression when hampered 2 out, well beaten after, tailed off
led, not fluent 4th, hit 8th, headed before 3 out, kept on same pace, lost 2nd towards finish
prominent, pushed along approaching 6th, outpaced before 3 out, soon well held
Big Society has started favourite in three of his four runs over hurdles but only managed one win so far and his Wetherby conqueror, Seebright, has let the form down since. Giveitachance did well to beat a big field at Doncaster after a break but this will be his first try at this level while Kellys Brow has had a few months off and neither Pinkneys Prince nor Raduis Bleu have shown enough so far to merit serious consideration. IFYOUSAYSO was well backed to win a decent contest at Doncaster in December but didn't appear to stay the longer trip. He can make amends in this off a decent mark as Ballylifen has had plenty of chances and No Duffer has disappointed prior to his third at Leicester.
Big Society (IRE) 5-4fav (11-5) Mid-division, chased leaders before 7th, went 2nd after 4 out, led 2 out, headed before and hit last, kept on, 2nd of 11, 2 1/2l behind Seebright (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 6f nov hdl (4) sft.
Kellys Brow (IRE) 11-4 (11-4) Led, not fluent 3rd, headed approaching 5th, soon regained lead, headed before last, weakened quickly, virtually pulled up, last of 8, well behind River Dragon (9-11) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) hvy in Oct.
Ballylifen (IRE) 7-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, outpaced from 3 out and lost place, headway before last, soon chased winner, kept on well, 2nd of 8, 1l behind Westward Point (11-4) at Warwick 2m 5f nh nov hdl (3) hvy.
Ifyousayso (IRE) 13-8fav (11-4) Led, mistake 2nd, headed 4 out, remained close up, ridden and every chance before 3 out, weakened before 2 out, 4th of 10, 28l behind Midnight Oscar (10-12) at Doncaster 3m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
No Duffer 33-1 (11-5) Mid-division, took keen hold, switched right and headway after 3 out, went 3rd last, no extra towards finish, 3rd of 12, 6l behind Pine Creek (11-5) at Leicester 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Pinkneys Prince 14-1 (11-2) In touch, headway to chase leaders 5th, every chance 2 out, ridden between last 2, weakened before last, 5th of 12, 15l behind Xaarcet (10-3) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) hvy in Jan.
Raduis Bleu (FR) 16-1 (10-10) Led, not fluent 7th, headed before 2 out, no extra flat, 5th of 9, 8l behind Qualviro (11-7) at Ludlow 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft.
Giveitachance (IRE) 8-1 (11-9) Chased leaders, led last, kept on well, won at Doncaster 3m hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gd beating Genny Wren (11-9) by 2 1/4l, 18 ran.
