prominent, led 11f out, ridden and headed narrowly over 1f out, led again entering final furlong, driven and stayed on well
took keen hold, made most for 4f, soon ridden and dropped rear, behind final 8f
held up behind leaders, pushed along 6f out, outpaced 3f out, soon weakened
held up behind leaders and travelled well, went 2nd over 2f out, led narrowly over 1f out, headed entering final furlong, no impression final 100 yards
prominent, ridden 7f out, lost place over 5f out
prominent, led after 4f, headed 11f out, stayed with winner until over 2f out, soon held in 3rd
held up behind leaders, ridden 4f out, outpaced 3f out, soon weakened
held up in touch, ridden over 4f out, 4th and well beaten 2f out
Howard's Legacy was unfancied on his debut at Huntingdon but ran a fine race to finish fourth to Hit The Headlines. Sure to strip fitter here, the five-year-old is a leading contender here. Hackpenbay only found one too good in all-weather runs at Lingfield and Southwell in December and is another to consider, while points winner Monbeg Dude was an encouraging second to Just Cloudy at Uttoxeter on his first start under Rules. There are a couple of interesting newcomers in this, however, with HOLLOW BLUE SKY preferred to Silver Sophfire who may need further. Nigel Twiston-Davies' four-year-old is a half-brother to smart hunter chaser Baby Run but has plenty of Flat speed in his pedigree and receives a handy weight-for-age allowance.
Destroyer Deployed 8-1 (11-7) Alw cl up, gng well bef 3out, rdn but not qckn last, ko, 3rd of 12, 5l behind Hang Up My Boots (11-7) at Taylorstown 3m ire ptp gs in Oct.
Hackpenbay 11-2 (11-6) Led, ridden and headed 2f out, no chance with winner final furlong, 2nd of 12, 10l behind Oscara Dara (11-6) at Southwell 2m Nat Hunt Flat (3-6yo) (AW) (6) std in Dec.
How's My Friend 20-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, under pressure over 4f out, stayed on same pace final 2f, 4th of 14, 10l behind Divine Folly (10-13) at Taunton 2m 1f mdn NH flat (5) gs in Jan.
Howard's Legacy (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway 7f out, challenged briefly 3f out, soon ridden, weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 12, 16l behind Hit The Headlines (11-0) at Huntingdon 2m NH flat (6) sft in Jan.
Monbeg Dude (IRE) 4-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, pushed along before 3f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on towards finish, 2nd of 9, 1 3/4l behind Just Cloudy (11-2) at Uttoxeter 2m mdn NH flat (6) hvy in Dec.
Vincentian (IRE) 7-2 (11-4) Chased leaders, pushed along over 5f out, ridden to challenge over 3f out, kept on same pace from over 1f out, 3rd of 14, 9l behind Divine Folly (10-13) at Taunton 2m 1f mdn NH flat (5) gs in Jan.
Silver Sophfire Silver Patriarch mare out of Princess Timon.
Hollow Blue Sky (FR) Turgeon gelding out of Run For Laborie.
Sophies Smile Kayf Tara mare out of Star Glade.
