chased leader, led before 2 out, headed 2 out, weakened before last
tracked leaders in 4th, ridden before 2 out, weakened run-in
led, soon clear until hit 3 out, headed before 2 out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, headway before 3 out, ridden and weakened before 2 out
in rear, headway before 2 out, chance last, ridden and no extra run-in
chased leaders, hit 3 out, soon pushed along, led 2 out, ridden run-in, headed towards finish, well held
held up mid-division, headway before 2 out, challenged on bit run-in, shaken up to lead towards finish, very cosily
held up towards rear, reminders after 5th, weakened 4 out, tailed off before 2 out
THUNDERSTORM won a lot more cosily than the winning margin would suggest when scoring at Towcester last time to land a hat trick. He's worth sticking with until beaten despite a 12lb rise in the weights. Hollo Ladies has been raised 5lb for his recent success at Ayr but Beyeh has gone up 6lb for finishing second at Doncaster on her latest start. Marodima may finish closer dropping down in class and Stagecoach Pearl has the past form to get involved but Stratford winner Harry Hunt looks a bigger threat off his current mark and Simply Ned could make the frame.
Stagecoach Pearl 2-1fav (11-10) Led, mistake 3rd, ridden approaching last (usual 3 out), headed soon after, weakened on long flat, last of 6, 45l behind Idarah (10-11) at Kelso 2m 1f hcp chs (2) sft in Nov.
Harry Hunt 4-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, chased winner before 2 out, kept on and always well held, 2nd of 11, 4 1/2l behind Aland Islands (11-1) at Newcastle 2m 4f nov chs (4) gs in Nov.
Marodima (FR) 14-1 (11-0) Led, clear from 2nd until 7th, outpaced when blundered 3 out (usual 4 out), soon weakened, tailed off, 6th of 7, well behind William's Wishes (10-6) at Ascot 2m 1f hcp chs (2) hvy in Nov.
Tara Royal 10-1 (11-12) Mid-division, ridden and outpaced after 9th, never near leaders, 5th of 8, 31l behind Tiptoeaway (11-7) at Wetherby 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Oct.
Hollo Ladies (IRE) 16-1 (10-8) Held up in last pair, headway to chase leading trio 4th, went 2nd 3 out, ridden to challenge between last 2, led approaching last, stayed on well flat, won at Ayr 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in Jan beating Top Wood (11-6) by 2 3/4l, 5 ran.
Beyeh (IRE) 7-2 (11-6) Tracked leaders, went 2nd before 4th, led 2 out, driven and headed flat, held towards finish, 2nd of 5, 1/2l behind Matrow's Lady (10-2) at Doncaster 2m 3f Mares Handicap Hurdle (0-120) (3yo+) (4) sft in Dec.
Thunderstorm (IRE) 8-13fav (11-7) Held up towards rear, headway to chase leaders 3 out, led 2 out, headed narrowly last, soon ridden and regained lead, kept on towards finish, won at Towcester 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) hvy in Jan beating South Stack (11-12) by 1 1/4l, 9 ran.
Snake Charmer 100-1 (10-8) Prominent until 3rd, ridden 6th, well behind after 7th, tailed off, 13th of 14, well behind Kaylif Aramis (10-8) at Ffos Las 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) hvy.
Bar De Ligne (FR) 33-1 (10-4) Mid-division, mistakes 1st and 3rd, badly outpaced and lost place before 4 out, stayed on again approaching last, never a threat, 7th of 21, 20l behind Cause Of Causes (10-13) at Ascot 2m Listed hcp hdl (1) hvy in Dec.
Simply Ned (IRE) 4-1fav (11-2) Held up towards rear, headway before 3 out, went 3rd before 2 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 8, 10l behind Robbie (10-4) at Doncaster 2m Handicap Hurdle (0-140) (3yo+) (3) gs in Dec.
