in touch, headway 4 out, chased leaders next, led after 2 out, edged right, ran on
held up in touch, short of room 3rd, chased leaders 3 out, went 2nd approaching last, kept on well
held up in rear, driven after 4 out, soon beaten
tracked leader, mistake 4 out, led next, headed approaching and mistake last, no extra closing stages
keen in rear, beaten before 3 out
led, mistake 5 out, headed 3 out, rallied and every chance next, kept on under pressure
in touch, jumped right 3rd, every chance when mistake 2 out, weakened last
Dual bumper winner Black Pirate returns from a lengthy absence having undergone wind surgery and is also fitted with a tongue-tie for his hurdling debut. Giovanni Change is another hurdling for the first time having made a winning start in bumpers in Ireland and placing at Southwell last time but COLLEGE OAK makes most appeal. The latter was no match for the winner at Ffos Las on his hurdling bow but finished 10 lengths clear of the rest and can open his account over timber with normal progress. The remainder have plenty of improving to do with Neville's Cross perhaps proving best of them.
Black Pirate 7-1 (11-10) Held up towards rear, headway on outside 8f out, edged left and went 2nd over 2f out, stayed on, no impression on winner inside final furlong, 2nd of 15, 3 3/4l behind Sebastopol (10-9) at Ayr 2m (3) gd in Apr.
Brummie Boys (IRE) 7-1 (10-12) Held up in mid-division, headway 6th, 4th and one pace 2 out, weakened before last, 4th of 15, 22 3/4l behind Dhowin (10-12) at Hereford 2m 4f (4) sft in Nov.
Clondaw Pretender 16-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, outpaced after 4 out, soon weakened, 6th of 12, dist behind Hurricane Harvey (10-12) at Ludlow 2m 5f (4) sft in Nov.
College Oak 11-10fav (10-12) Prominent, every chance approaching and hung left 2 out, not fluent last, kept on same pace, 2nd of 9, 17l behind Stolen Silver (10-12) at Ffos Las 2m (4) sft in Nov.
Free Ski (IRE) 125-1 (10-12) Behind, headway 4th, outpaced after 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 9, 19 3/4l behind Millers Bank (10-12) at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 1f (4) hvy in Nov.
Giovanni Change (FR) 15-2 (11-5) Held up in touch and keen, led halfway, pushed along and headed over 2f out, no extra, 3rd of 8, 8 1/2l behind Global Fame (10-12) at Southwell 2m (5) sft in Dec.
Neville's Cross (IRE) 18-1 (11-0) Led to after 2nd, in touch, ridden and weakened after 2 out, 4th of 12, 21 1/2l behind Potters Venture (11-0) at Chepstow 2m 3f mdn (5) sft in Nov.
