held up in mid-division, switched wide and some headway before 2 out, no impression, weakened after 2 out, pulled up before last
held up rear of mid-division, never on terms, well beaten after 2 out
always in rear, well beaten after 3 out
held up in touch, ridden after 2 out, disputing 3rd and outpaced before last, well held by front pair last
in touch in mid-division, closed 3rd, weakened quickly after 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
in touch in mid-division, headway 3rd, slow 3 out, outpaced 2 out, plugged on for 4th flat, no impression
chased leaders, ridden after 2 out, outpaced before last, well held 3rd flat
held up towards rear, some headway before not fluent 2 out, soon weakened
held up rear of mid-division, headway 6th, weakened before 2 out
tracked leaders, went 2nd after 2 out, ridden before last, challenged flat, held towards finish
pressed winner, ridden after 2 out, disputing 3rd and outpaced before last, well held flat
not always fluent, soon towards rear, weakened after 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
made all, ridden before last, stayed on well flat
Future Investment has shown improved form since returning from a break but Firestep returns from injury, though was 2-2 in bumpers. Gentle Slopes beat School Days Over in a bumper here in November and was third at the track having a first run over hurdles. He goes on the shortlist but WEVEALLBEENCAUGHT (NAP) was an eye-catcher in a Grade 2 here on his hurdles bow and the points and bumper winner can get off the mark in this sphere today. Iliko D'Olivate was just beaten at Compiegne in the spring and is now with Paul Nicholls so should be winning soon.
Firestep (IRE) 7-4fav (11-7) Tracker leaders, smooth progress 3f out to lead, showing signs of greenness final furlong, always in control, won at Chepstow 2m (5) gs in Mar beating Buck's Boggle (11-0) by 1l, 8 ran.
Future Investment 15-2 (11-0) Mid-division, not fluent 5th, went 3rd home turn, soon chased leader, jumped left 2 out, pushed along and challenged leader on run to last, switched right approaching last where mistake, kept on but well held run-in, 2nd of 9, 4 1/2l behind Knowsley Road (11-7) at Chepstow 2m 3f (4) gs in Dec.
G A Henty 4-1 (12-0) Went 2nd app 11; led app 2 out; r.o wl, won at Ston Easton 2m 4f mdn in Mar beating Sweet Moon (10-11) by 13l, 4 ran.
Gentle Slopes 13-8fav (11-0) Chased winner until 2nd, not fluent 4th, went 2nd again 3 out until outpaced after 2 out, kept on but no impression flat, went 3rd last stride, 3rd of 6, 6l behind Attacca (11-6) at Cheltenham 2m 1f (3) gd in Dec.
Glorious Oscar (IRE) 9-1 (11-0) Not fluent, prominent, bumped 2nd, outpaced before normal 2 out, soon weakened, 6th of 12, 35 3/4l behind Gunnery Officer (11-0) at Warwick 2m 3f (4) gs in Nov.
Max's Champ (FR) 9-4 (11-0) Held up in 3rd, went 2nd before 6th until pushed along turning in, soon ridden and outpaced, stayed on again run-in, last of 3, 2 3/4l behind De Legislator (11-0) at Hexham 2m 4f (4) sft in Nov.
Militaire 28-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, led after 4 out, challenged 3 out, shaken up and headed approaching last, kept on but not pace of winner, 2nd of 14, 7l behind Spring Meadow (11-0) at Ffos Las 2m 4f (4) gs in Oct.
Riskintheground (IRE) 66-1 (11-2) In rear, pushed along home turn, ridden and kept on from before last, never threatened, 3rd of 8, 15 3/4l behind Hullnback (11-2) at Haydock 2m (2) sft in Nov.
Robinsville 150-1 (11-0) Mid-division, jumped right and held 2 out, 5th of 17, 27 3/4l behind Grey Dawning (11-0) at Exeter 2m 1f (4) gs in Dec.
Rock My Way (IRE) 7-2 (11-6) Tr ldr in 2nd, disp bef 3out where outjumped, ld bef 2out, 1/2l adv when faster jump last, asserted flat, kow, won at Castletown-Geoghegan 3m mdn gd in Oct beating Painted Wolf (11-11) by shd, 8 ran.
Rock On Cowboy (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Prominent, led 5th, headed 7th, soon led again, headed 3 out, 3rd and no extra before last, 3rd of 14, 11 1/2l behind Hitching Jacking (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f (4) gs in Dec.
School Days Over (IRE) 10-11fav (11-0) Prominent, led approaching 2 out, headed before last, ran on one pace, 3rd of 16, 4 3/4l behind Hansard (11-0) at Huntingdon 2m (4) gd in Dec.
Weveallbeencaught (IRE) 7-1 (11-2) Jumped very slowly and hampered rivals 1st, hung left most of way, chased leaders, pushed along and outpaced when went right 3 out, plugged on in remote 3rd run-in, 3rd of 7, 10 1/2l behind Hermes Allen (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m 5f (1) gd in Nov.
Iliko D'olivate (FR) 16-1 (10-5) Led 3 out, headed 2 out, stayed on strongly after last, 2nd of 12, shd behind Irish Bar (11-4) at Compiegne 2m 1f hvy in Mar.
