led until ridden and headed on long run before last, soon lost 2nd, stayed on same pace in 3rd
mid-division, weakened 3 out
chased leader, not fluent 2 out, lost 2nd soon after, weakened on long run before last
chased leaders, outpaced before 2 out, struggling in 4th and no chance after
always in rear, pushed along and struggling after 4th, tailed off
always towards rear, never on terms
mid-division, headway chasing leaders 5th, went 2nd before the last, soon every chance until the last, kept on run-in
chased leaders, pushed along before 2 out, led on long run before last, pressed stayed on gamely, ridden out
chased leaders, weakened after 2 out
last pair, pushed along and struggling after 4th, tailed off
ECHO EXPRESS won a bumper at Doncaster back in March and returned to action with a narrow-margin defeat at Kelso on his hurdling bow. He can go one better in this. The Delray Munky finished runner-up at Kelso on her earlier debut over timber but the remainder with hurdling experience have yet to threaten and Ffos Las bumper winner The Dubai Way may prove a bigger threat. Teescomponents Lad has also placed in bumpers and is another to note.
Echo Express (IRE) 6-5fav (11-0) Held up in touch, closer order 3rd, led 2 out, ridden after last, caught post, 2nd of 12, shd behind Temple Man (11-0) at Kelso 2m mdn (4) gd in Oct.
Hooves The Daddy (IRE) 100-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, wandered into 1st, jumped left and not fluent next, soon lost place, mistake 4th, pulled up after 6th, at Wetherby 2m (3) sft in Nov.
Jacarno 66-1 (10-12) In rear, not fluent, struggling 5th, weakened next, last of 4, dist behind Gustave Mahler (11-4) at Southwell 2m (4) gd in Jun.
Le Frank (IRE) 11-4jfav (11-4) Tracked leaders, chased winner over 3f out until inside final furlong, no extra, 3rd of 6, 13 1/2l behind Niceandeasy (10-10) at Newcastle 2m (6) hvy in Mar.
Storm Warning (IRE) 80-1 (10-12) In rear, weakened after 2 out, tailed off, 5th of 7, 27 1/2l behind Niceandeasy (11-4) at Hexham 2m 4f (4) sft in Nov.
Strike West (IRE) 150-1 (10-12) Held up mid-division, ridden after 4 out, never dangerous, 8th of 14, dist behind Carlos Du Fruitier (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 4f (4) gs in Nov.
Teescomponents Lad 8-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, driven to challenge over 2f out, soon every chance, weakened final furlong, 3rd of 10, 6 1/2l behind Senor Lombardy (11-4) at Hexham 2m (6) hvy in Oct.
The Dubai Way (IRE) 6-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway over 3f out, soon chasing leaders, every chance over 1f out, led inside final furlong, stayed on strongly, won at Ffos Las 2m mdn (4) sft in Oct beating Al Dancer (11-0) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
War Joey (IRE) 28-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders and keen, weakened after 2 out, pulled up, at Hexham 2m mdn (4) sft in Nov.
The Delray Munky 7-1 (10-7) Held up towards rear, pushed along and outpaced from 4 out, 10th of 12, 14 1/2l behind Temple Man (11-0) at Kelso 2m mdn (4) gd in Oct.
Johnny Pedlar 16-1 (11-2) Held up, outpaced 4f out, tailed off, last of 8, dist behind War Creation (10-9) at Perth 2m (6) sft in Sep.
