chased leaders, ridden 4 out, soon one pace and beaten, weakened 2 out
chased leaders on outside, 2nd from 2nd until after 4th, lost place after 7th, weakened from next, pulled up before 3 out
made all, clear 2nd until after 4th, clear again 2 out, eased towards finish
tracked winner until 2nd, lost place next, closed 7th, lost place before 4 out, weakened approaching 2 out
held up in rear, headway to chase winner after 4th, not fluent 7th, no impression from 2 out, went left and mistake last, flattered by proximity to winner
held up in rear, not fluent 2nd or 5th, headway 8th, disputing 2nd 3 out, no impression in 3rd from next, weakened flat
Like many before him - and there are surely many to follow - DEFINING YEAR has been revived by the move to Dan Skelton. The Hawk Wing gelding has cruised home in a couple of Uttoxeter handicap hurdles but now has attentions turned to chasing. Obviously all will depend on how he takes to the larger obstacles but he's hard to oppose in receipt of so much weight from all rivals. Adrrastos appeals as the sort to do well over fences and is nominated for the shortlist along with Avispa although the latter has probably not won the number of races she should have, frequently finding one too good. Mr Kit Kat has obvious claims on his hurdling form, Exitas returns from a break and Spoilt Rotten has fencing experience but will need to improve.
Avispa 8-1 (11-1) Pressed leader, led 5th, headed after 2 out, weakened before last, 4th of 7, dist behind Free Stone Hill (10-2) at Stratford 2m hcp (3) gd in May.
Exitas (IRE) 8-1 (11-7) Mid-division in 4th, ridden before last, kept on, 3rd of 9, 4 3/4l behind Sleepy Haven (11-11) at Leicester 2m hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Adrrastos (IRE) 7-4 (11-5) Led, headed after 3rd, chased winner, pushed along before 3 out, weakened before and mistake last, 3rd of 9, 21 1/2l behind Gustave Mahler (10-12) at Worcester 2m (4) gd in May.
Mr Kit Cat 11-2 (11-6) Tracked leader until 2nd, stayed handy, mistake 6th, not fluent 3 out, lost place before 2 out, last of 6, 22 1/2l behind Doubly Clever (11-9) at Newton Abbot 2m 2f hcp (3) gd in May.
Spoilt Rotten 14-1 (10-12) Raced keenly, led, joined 3 out, headed when blundered and lost 2nd next, weakened soon after, last of 3, 14l behind Black Corton (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 1f (4) gs in Jun.
Defining Year (IRE) 6-5fav (11-3) Held up mid-division, headway on bit before 3 out, led before last, kept on strongly, won at Uttoxeter 2m hcp (5) gs in Jul beating Sky of Stars (11-0) by 7l, 9 ran.
