always rear division, ridden and struggling 3 out, tailed off
chased leaders, led briefly before 3 out, weakened next
held up in rear, headway 3 out, chased leaders before next, no extra between last 2
held up towards rear, steady headway approaching 3 out, chased leaders approaching next, hung left and weakening when hit last
led, headed approaching 3 out, weakened quickly, tailed off
prominent, led narrowly 3 out, ridden and headed 2 out, weakened between last 2
held up in rear, pushed along and hit 3 out, headway approaching next, chased leading pair last, kept on well flat
chased leaders, not fluent 3rd, weakened soon after 3 out
chased leaders, led 2 out, ridden approaching last, no extra and headed towards finish
chased leaders until weakened 3 out
took keen hold, chased leaders, challenged last, driven and stayed on to lead towards finish
This is a really decent and competitive Handicap Hurdle over two miles three furlongs and out of a shortlist made up from five last time out winners we just side with Nicky Henderson's GOLD AWARD ahead of Special Occasion and L'Homme De Nuit. Looking good value for a win on hi seasonal returned when upped to this sort of trip last time the selection should be able to shoulder a seven pounds penalty especially now fitter for that run. Special Occasion had to work a little harder for his last time out victory but he seems to have been fairly treated by the assessor. The slight drop in trip should also help him put in another bold effort. L'Homme De Nuit was staying on well when scoring on his last start in this sphere so looks likely to slast the extra yardage this time. He will be fit after a decent go on the level recently so rates as a danger. Alfie Spinner and City Theatre are the other two last time out winners but are both tricky to assess now in a handicap for the first time so in a tricky race Gold Award is a marginal selection.
Buena Vista (IRE) 16-1 (10-9) Held up in rear, mistake 5th, pushed along 7th, behind when hit 4 out, 11th of 15, 26l behind Time For Rupert (11-7) at Cheltenham 3m hcp hdl 0-155 (2) sft in Dec.
Stow 25-1 (10-5) In touch, pushed along and outpaced after 3 out, struggling after, tailed off, 8th of 9, well behind Golan Way (10-13) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl (2) sft in Dec.
Special Occasion 7-2 (11-10) Held up on outside, headway to challenge approaching 2 out, led last, ridden, edged left flat, held on under pressure towards finish, won at Taunton 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in Dec beating Shore Thing (11-12) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Gold Award 2-1fav (11-3) In touch, went 2nd going to 2 out, led last, driven out, won at Ffos Las 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft beating Bruslini (10-13) by 1 1/4l, 14 ran.
Helens Vision 9-2 (11-0) Chased leaders, ridden and hit 6th seakened after 4 out, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Galaxy Rock (11-1) at Ffos Las 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Dec, 12 ran.
Yetholm (USA) 14-1 (11-1) Held up towards rear, last and outpaced 3 out, headway under pressure approaching last, stayed on run-in but never a threat, 5th of 11, 16l behind Spirit River (11-12) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in Dec.
City Theatre (IRE) 13-8fav (10-12) Towards rear, headway after 3 out, ridden approaching last, stayed on to lead towards finish, won at Market Rasen 2m 3f nov hdl (4) sft in Nov beating Ballybriggan (10-12) by 1/2l, 10 ran.
Chance Du Roy (FR) 15-2 (11-12) Held up mid-division and keen, chased leaders 7th, ridden to challenge 3 out, kept on from last, 3rd of 13, 2l behind Young Albert (11-3) at Haydock 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Apr.
Majaales (USA) 25-1 (11-12) Held up in touch, headway approaching 2 out, to go 3rd, soon ridden, weakened last, 5th of 13, 12l behind Shadow Dancer (11-11) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Dec.
L'Homme de Nuit (GER) 11-1 (11-1) Held up mid-division, in touch halfway, chased leaders 2 out, stayed on to lead after last, ridden out, won at Sandown 2m nov hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Dec beating Karky Schultz (11-4) by 1 3/4l, 8 ran.
Alfie Spinner (IRE) 6-1 (10-12) (limited comments due to very poor visibility) tracked leaders, 3rd approaching 3 out, in lead approaching last, clear flat (no time taken), won at Exeter 2m 1f NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) hvy in Dec beating Swincombe Rock (10-12) by 7l, 16 ran.
