led, set strong pace, clear after 3rd, headed before 3 out, weakened quickly, pulled up next
mid-division, headway 3 out, chased leaders next, led approaching last, ran on strongly
prominent, lost place 5th, behind when pulled up 3 out
chased leaders, not fluent 4th, driven to challenge 2 out, kept on same pace
tracked leaders, mistake 4 out, led before next, headed approaching last, kept on
mid-division, when fell 4 out
held up in rear, headway 3 out, never on terms
keen in rear, fell 5th
behind, struggling 5 out, never dangerous
mid-division, headway to chase leaders 3 out, weakened after next
Optimus Prime shaped well when second at Huntingdon on his first start for the Skelton team but still looks pretty harshly treated by the handicapper and the current form of the normally prolific yard remains a concern. Diego Du Charmil, winner of last season's Fred Winter Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, picked up where he left with a game display first time up this season at Chepstow but has since disappointed in two competitive hurdles, though he's one of the more likely ones if recapturing his best. Dominada continues to go from strength to strength and this progressive front-runner should go very well again under regular partner Megan Carberry while Traditional Dancer ran a cracker here last time behind County Hurdle winner, Superb Story. It's a competitive contest but DRUMCLIFF looks on a tempting mark, Harry Fry is in sparkling form and the race may just be run ideally for the gelding's favoured hold-up tactics.
Optimus Prime (FR) 5-1 (11-11) Led, clear 2nd, hit 5th, reduced lead 2 out, ridden and headed towards finish, 2nd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Robinshill (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m hcp (2) gd in Nov.
Diego Du Charmil (FR) 16-1 (11-3) Always towards rear, pushed along and struggling after 3 out, never involved, 12th of 19, 34 1/4l behind Brain Power (11-11) at Ascot 2m hcp (1) gs in Dec.
Aristo Du Plessis (FR) 7-1 (11-12) Led, headed 2 out, weakened before last, 4th of 6, 20 1/2l behind Teo Vivo (10-12) at Kelso 2m hcp (2) hvy in Jan.
Traditional Dancer (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, in 3rd, every chance 3 out, kept on from last, 3rd of 9, 1l behind Superb Story (11-12) at Musselburgh 2m hcp (2) gd in Jan.
Dominada (IRE) 7-2 (11-12) Made all, clear before 3 out, easily, won at Musselburgh 2m 3f hcp (4) gd in Jan beating Urban Kode (10-0) by 7l, 12 ran.
London Prize 15-8fav (11-5) Close up, tracked winner 4th, ridden to challenge from 2 out, driven to lead narrowly flat, headed near finish, 2nd of 14, shd behind Bandsman (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 1f (4) gs in Dec.
Drumcliff (IRE) 9-2jfav (10-11) Held up towards rear, headway on outside chasing leaders when badly hampered and lost all momentum 2 out, rallied approaching last, kept on run-in but unable to recover, 2nd of 12, 1l behind Bigmartre (11-6) at Kempton 2m hcp (3) gd in Dec.
Deepsand (IRE) 25-1 (11-11) Mid-division, headway before 4 out, led before 3 out, held on towards finish, driven out, won at Haydock 2m hcp (4) sft in Jan beating Vocaliser (10-6) by nk, 13 ran.
Cool Sky 13-2 (10-6) Held up in last pair, steady headway racing awkwardly after 3 out, modest 3rd before 2 out, no impression when left modest 2nd at the last, 2nd of 9, 6l behind River Frost (10-11) at Kempton 2m hcp (3) gs in Jan.
Great Fighter 20-1 (10-7) Towards rear, headway before 3 out, kept on after last, 3rd of 10, 7l behind Project Bluebook (10-7) at Musselburgh 2m hcp (3) gd in Jan.
