raced keenly in 3rd, hit 7th, went 2nd before 2 out, well held when awkward last, no chance with winner
jumped right, led and soon clear, headed and weakening when mistake 2 out, soon hung badly left, not run on
off the pace in 4th, dropped to 5th next, weakened 6th, tailed off
chased clear leader, closer 3 out, led before next, shaken up and clear before last, kept on strongly
always rear-division, never on terms
held up off the pace in 5th, bit closer in 4th place 5th, never on terms with leading trio, went right last, went remote 3rd run-in
reminders after 5th, always behind, tailed off
A couple stand out in this. Malystic won a maiden hurdle by a wide-margin at Musselburgh last time and the third has gone in since. But he steps up in trip today and is conceding weight to PILEON. Philip Hobbs’ bumper winner made a promising start over timber with a fourth at Cheltenham on last month’s reappearance and normal progress can ensure Richard Johnson’s only ride on the card is a winning one. The remainder have shown little so far over timber though Alph was still in contention when unseating here last week and Raymond has gone close in a bumper.
Malystic 7-2 (10-12) Chased leader, led 5th until soon after 4 out, chased leader, in front again before next, clear 2 out, kept on strongly, won at Musselburgh 2m mdn (4) gs in Dec beating George Gently (10-12) by 17l, 11 ran.
Alph (IRE) 28-1 (11-2) Jumped right, led and clear to 4th, narrow advantage when slipped and unseated rider turning into straight, at Catterick 2m 3f (4) gs in Jan.
Master Newton (IRE) 20-1 (11-7) Never better than mid-division, behind from 5th, no danger after, tailed off 2 out, 5th of 9, 20 1/4l behind Coup De Gold (10-7) at Catterick 2m 3f mdn (4) sft in Dec.
Pileon (IRE) 14-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, challenged between last 2, upsides and every chance last, ridden and one pace flat, no impression when lost 3rd closing stages, 4th of 8, 4l behind Chantry House (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m 1f (3) gs in Dec.
Raymond (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Mid-division, not fluent 1st, behind 3 out, 9th of 13, 30 3/4l behind Mario De Pail (10-12) at Kelso 2m (4) sft in Dec.
Baby Jane (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, some headway 4 out, no impression, soon weakened, mistake 3 out, 7th of 13, dist behind Clondaw Caitlin (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 4f (4) sft in Dec.
Cast In Grey (IRE) 100-1 (10-10) Always towards rear, 11th of 13, dist behind Getaway Totherock (10-10) at Ludlow 2m 5f (4) sft in Dec.
Milanvera (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Always behind, struggling after 3 out, weakened before next, tailed off, 7th of 14, 28 3/4l behind Full Of Surprises (10-12) at Catterick 2m (4) sft in Dec.
