held up, headway after 4th, went 2nd after 3 out, trying to challenge when not much room against stands side rail before 2 out, again short of room and switched right between final 2, beaten last, no impression
tracked leader, led after 3rd, mistake next, went towards stands side rail and pressed before 2 out, again edged left between last 2, in command last, clear flat, stayed on
tracked leaders on inside, 2nd briefly 3 out, ridden and weakened before next
led, jumped left 2nd, headed after 3rd, weakened after 3 out
held up in touch on outside, not always fluent, struggling from 4th
tracked leaders, outpaced 3 out, went 3rd and stayed on from 2 out, no impression on leading pair
A few of these found current Champion Hurdle favourite Faugheen much too good in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton on Boxing Day. Blue Heron finished a well-beaten third with Sign Of A Victory even further behind while IRVING failed to complete. The latter had earlier looked like beating Hint Of Mint in the Elite Hurdle over track and trip in November but for falling at the last and then went on to land the Grade 1 Fighting Fifth at Newcastle. Paul Nicholls' charge gets another chance in this on today's terms as both Byron Blue and Gentleman Jon have plenty to find at the weights.
Irving 7-1 (11-7) In touch, pushed along 4 out, weakened next, behind when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Faugheen (11-7) at Kempton 2m hdl G1 (1) gs in Dec, 6 ran.
Blue Heron (IRE) 66-1 (11-7) Led, headed approaching 2out, soon no extra, 3rd of 6, 17l behind Faugheen (11-7) at Kempton 2m hdl G1 (1) gs in Dec.
Sign Of A Victory (IRE) 6-1 (11-7) Held up in rear, headway and in touch 4out, outpaced after next, 4th of 6, 31l behind Faugheen (11-7) at Kempton 2m hdl G1 (1) gs in Dec.
Byron Blue (IRE) 12-1 (11-10) Led, took keen hold, soon clear until before 4 out, headed 4 out, weakened before 3 out, pulled up before next, in a race won by Zeroeshadesofgrey (11-10) at Doncaster 3m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec, 5 ran.
Gentleman Jon 9-2 (11-0) With winner, not fluent and lost place 3 out, soon outpaced, weakened approaching last, 6th of 7, 14l behind Whispering Harry (10-9) at Taunton 2m nov ltd hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy in Jan.
Hint Of Mint 33-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders on inside, mistake 3 out, soon ridden, lost place before next, soon weakened, last of 7, well behind Rock On Ruby (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hdl (2) gs in Jan.
