led, mistake 3 out, pressed and headed before 2 out where made mistake, weakened before last
midfield, headway into second before 2 out, switched right before last, led on run-in
held up, headway after 3rd, ridden and weakened before 2 out
prominent, took keen hold, headway to lead before 2 out, ridden and headed on run-in, kept on
tracked leaders, jumped left at 3rd, ridden and weakened before 2 out
held up last, took keen hold, headway before 2 out, weakened before 2 out
midfield, lost position after 3rd, ridden and weakened before 2 out
Having justified favouritism in a Stratford bumper last month, HOOPER will likely be a short price on his hurdles bow despite being Flat-bred. Jockey bookings suggest Copperless, second to a subsequent winner on hurdles debut at Perth, will be a bigger threat than Geomatrician. Black Abbey has plenty of experience but finished tailed off on his reappearance at Plumpton while Le Boulevardier unseated his rider at the first at Fontwell.
Black Abbey (FR) 11-2 (10-12) Chased leader until after 1st, chased leaders, weakened before 3 out, 5th of 8, 35 3/4l behind Zarrar (10-12) at Plumpton 2m 2f mdn (4) gf in Sep.
Copperless 15-8 (10-12) Held up, headway 4 out, chased leader 2 out, hard ridden before last, kept on one pace, 2nd of 9, 7 1/2l behind Stoner's Choice (10-12) at Perth 2m (4) gs in Sep.
Geomatrician (FR) 50-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, pushed along in rear after 4th, tailed off from 5th, 7th of 9, dist behind Chazza (11-0) at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 1f mdn (4) gs in Sep.
Hooper 5-4fav (11-0) Chased leaders, went 2nd over 3f out, led over 2f out, clear 1f out, pushed out, won at Stratford 2m (5) gd in Sep beating Luttrell Lad (11-0) by 2l, 7 ran.
Le Boulevardier 13-2 (10-12) Mistake and unseated rider 1st, at Fontwell 2m 2f (4) sft in Oct.
New Moon (FR) 40-1 (10-12) Pulled hard in rear, never a factor, tailed off, 7th of 9, dist behind Topofthecotswolds (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f (4) gd in Sep.
Pennine Cross 14-1 (11-8) Chased leaders, outpaced and struggling over 3f out, went modest 3rd over 1f out, 3rd of 6, 19 1/2l behind Anythingforlove (11-1) at Catterick 2m (5) sft in Mar.
