held up in touch, tracked leaders after 8th, challenged after 5 out, ridden 3 out, lost place next, well held when left 3rd at last
held up in touch, hit 5 out, driven to chase leaders before next, not fluent 2 out, soon one pace, held when left 2nd at last
with winner, lost place after 5 out, soon outpaced, no chance with leaders from next, left modest 4th last until near finish
blundered 3rd, always behind, struggling from 5 out
held up behind, pushed along after 5 out, headway under pressure after next, switched inside approaching 2 out, pressed winner and every chance when fell last
made most, driven after 3 out, pressed when left clear last, ridden out
with leaders, mistake 7th, lost place when not fluent 5 out, ridden and behind from next, plugged on to take modest 4th near finish
tracked leaders, outpaced 4 out, weakened from next
A runner-up at Hereford last time, The Last But One has yet to win over hurdles but Paul Nicholls’ charge may do better now chasing. Cousin Oscar was still beaten a long way when second over these fences last time but Boy's On Tour just missed out in a battle for the line over track and trip last month and has been raised 6lb. BOAGRIUS ran out of ground when finishing with a late rattle over 2m1f at Market Rasen on Boxing Day but failing to get close enough to catch the winner. Tom George’s charge will appreciate the return to a longer trip and gets the vote.
Boagrius (IRE) 9-2 (12-0) Tracked leaders, mistake 4 out, soon outpaced by front pair, modest 3rd when ridden after next, rallied closing stages, went 2nd towards finish, not reach winner, 2nd of 6, 2 1/4l behind Fair Loch (12-0) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Rainy City (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Towards rear, ridden 2 out, never dangerous, 5th of 9, 10 3/4l behind Cresswell Legend (11-2) at Musselburgh 3m hcp (3) gs in Jan.
Cousin Oscar (IRE) 5-2 (11-12) Pressed leader, led after 6th, headed before 4 out, well held from 3 out, 2nd of 4, 16l behind Mullaghmurphy Blue (10-7) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Dec.
Imperial Prince (IRE) 14-1 (11-4) Tracked winner, until 7 out, blundered and weakened 3 out, soon pulled up, at Ayr 2m 4f hcp (4) hvy in Jan.
Celtic Flames (IRE) 6-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, lost place 7 out, headway before 3 out, weakened 2 out, 5th of 8, 30 1/4l behind Hills Of Dubai (11-3) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp (4) hvy in Jan.
The Last But One (IRE) 9-4fav (11-0) Tracked leaders, blundered 8th, outpaced by front pair after 3 out, went 2nd after next, soon ridden, kept on under pressure from last, not reach winner, 2nd of 7, 4l behind Definately Vinnie (11-0) at Hereford 3m 2f mdn (4) gd in Nov.
Mahlerdramatic (IRE) 9-1 (11-12) Tracked clear leader, closed 5 out, ridden next, lost 2nd when blundered badly next and soon pulled up, at Wetherby 3m hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Boy's On Tour (IRE) 13-2 (10-11) Prominent, led before 4 out, soon pressed, just held on post, 2nd of 6, shd behind Nefyn Bay (11-11) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Jan.
