led to 2nd, remained with leader, challenged before 2 out, weakened last, lost 2nd place close home
always behind, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
mid-division, weakened before 4 out, tailed off
mid-division, pushed along 2nd and soon towards rear, outpaced 4 out, headway before 3 out, led before last, kept on well
tracked leader, led from 2nd, pressed from 2 out, headed before last, kept on towards finish
tracked leaders, in 4th and weakened before 2 out
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened before 3 out
towards rear, outpaced before 4 out, plugged on after 3 out, went 3rd close home
Well Smitten had shown potential in bumpers and was in front on his hurdling debut over 2m3f at Lingfield when unseating his rider at the second last. Winning point-to-pointer Benefit North was in touch when falling at Down Royal but is likely to need further though like fellow Irish raider Cadougarde, who makes his hurdling debut, can't be dismissed. GRAND MORNING made a very promising racecourse debut at Hexham in November, staying on nicely once getting the hang of the job. Normal improvement can see him take this though supporters of Nando will be looking for compensation as he's been a beaten favourite in both starts in bumpers.
Benefit North (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) Chased leaders and ran freely, led 1st, ridden approaching 3 out where strongly pressed and fell, at Down Royal 2m 4f mdn hvy in Dec.
Biennial (IRE) 5-1 (11-5) Held up mid-division and keen, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 9, 27l behind Idee De Garde (11-5) at Ayr 2m (5) hvy in Jan.
For Jim (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, lost place 4 out, soon weakened, last of 6, dist behind Waterlord (11-4) at Haydock 2m (4) hvy in Dec.
Grand Morning 14-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway before last, soon went 3rd, kept on same pace, 3rd of 10, 12l behind Go Go Lucas (10-12) at Hexham 2m mdn (4) sft in Nov.
Nando (GER) 5-2fav (11-0) Held up towards rear, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace in 5th, 5th of 11, 8 3/4l behind Mighty Thunder (10-11) at Perth 2m (5) gd in Jun.
Peters Grey (IRE) 9-2 (11-2) Tracked leaders in 3rd, pushed along before 2 out, soon weakened, 4th of 5, dist behind Glingerside (11-2) at Ayr 2m (4) hvy in Jan.
Well Smitten (IRE) 14-1 (10-12) Raced keenly, tracked leader, led 3rd, headed when blundered and unseated rider 2 out, at Lingfield 2m 3f (3) sft in Nov.
Green Tikkana 150-1 (10-12) Held up in touch, mistake 3 out, soon outpaced, hit next, went modest 4th last, no chance with leaders, 4th of 7, 17l behind Raised On Grazeon (10-12) at Catterick 2m (4) sft in Jan.
Cadougarde (FR) 28-1 (10-12) In rear, effort over 2f out, never dangerous, 6th of 10, 19 3/4l behind I'm To Blame (10-12) at Catterick 2m (6) gs in Nov.
