tracked leader, not fluent 5th, hit 2 out, kept on, well held approaching last
made all, not fluent last, well in command run-in, pushed out and readily drew away
mid-division well off pace, steady headway from 2 out, never on terms
prominent, pushed along and outpaced after 3 out, plugged on
rear mid-division, never showed
mid-division, always behind
front mid-division, not jump well, slow jump 3rd and reminders, soon struggling, pulled up 2 out
towards rear, pushed along 4 out, no progress, tailed off
in rear, always behind
chased leaders, not fluent 3 out, pushed along and outpaced 2 out, weakened last
HULLNBACK is likely to be another short-priced favourite on today’s card. A smart sort in bumpers last season, he was a beaten favourite on his hurdling debut but made no mistake in a Class 2 at Haydock next time and has a couple of Grade 1 entries at Cheltenham next month. Gitche Gumee also carries 7lb extra but he’s been beaten twice since scoring at Stratford in the autumn and is rated 11lb lower than the selection. The remainder are probably playing for places barring accidents.
Gitche Gumee 10-3 (11-7) Front mid-division, tracked leaders home turn, not fluent 3 out, staying on one pace when jumped left last, 3rd of 15, 12 1/2l behind Out Of Office (11-0) at Chepstow 2m (4) gs in Dec.
Hullnback 5-4fav (11-2) Soon led, headed after 3rd and remained handy, led again 5th, hit 4 out, went clear with runner-up 2 out, stayed on well, ridden run-in, readily, won at Haydock 2m (2) sft in Nov beating Nemean Lion (11-7) by 3 3/4l, 8 ran.
Black Tonic 300-1 (11-2) Keen tracking leaders, not fluent 3rd, weakened quickly after 3 out, 8th of 10, 30l behind Doyen Star (11-8) at Chepstow 2m (4) gs in Feb.
Byron Hill (IRE) 16-1 (11-10) Held up in rear, headway from 4 out, close 3rd when bad mistake and unseated rider 2 out, at Fontwell 2m 3f mdn (4) gs in Jan.
Claras Soldier (IRE) 100-1 (11-8) Took keen hold, held up towards rear, shaken up 3 out, no chance with winner when hit 2 out, 7th of 14, 25 3/4l behind Astromachia (11-8) at Uttoxeter 2m mdn (4) gs in Jan.
Mix Master 250-1 (11-2) In touch, ridden and weakened 2 out, 14th of 15, dist behind Endless Escape (11-7) at Ffos Las 2m (4) sft in Jan.
Tellairsue (GER) 25-1 (11-8) Raced keenly and off the pace towards rear, pushed along after 3 out, never involved, 7th of 9, 27 1/4l behind Afadil (10-9) at Taunton 2m mdn (4) sft in Jan.
Twoconduit (IRE) 150-1 (11-12) In rear, 14th before 5th, weakened and detached 3 out, never a factor, tailed off, 11th of 18, dist behind Seabank Bistro (11-12) at Naas 2m 3f mdn sft in Jan.
Warner's Cross (IRE) 200-1 (11-8) Held up, pushed along off pace 3 out, plugged on for fifth, 5th of 13, 22 1/2l behind Benassi (11-8) at Uttoxeter 2m mdn (4) gs in Jan.
Sabyinyo 20-1 (11-2) Soon tracking leading pair until after 4th, chased leaders, weakened quickly turning in, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out, at Sandown 2m (2) sft in Dec.
Letmetellusomethin 50-1 (11-2) Rear of mid-division, not fluent when not much room 3rd, not fluent 5th, closed next, mistake 3 out, weakened 2 out, 9th of 17, 20 3/4l behind Etalon (11-2) at Wetherby 2m (4) sft in Jan.
