chased leaders, went 2nd 6th, led well before 3 out, ridden and joined last, drew clear flat
held up, headway to chase winner 3 out, around 2 lengths 3rd when blundered throughout, not recover
held up in rear, ridden and hit 4 out, nudged along and some headway when pulled up before 3 out
led to 2nd, chased leader, regained lead before 6th, headed well before 3 out, driven after 3 out, soon weakened
led to 2nd, headed before 6th, ridden and weakened next, well behind when hit 8th, soon tailed off, pulled up before 3 out
held up in touch, hit 4 out, headway to chase winner approaching 2 out, upsides when mistake last, no extra and held flat
chased leaders, went 3rd 7th, ridden when mistake and weakened 2 out
Minella Theatre stepped up on previous form in bumpers and over hurdles when successful at Southwell earlier this month and Henrietta Knight's gelding has to be respected but DEFINITY created a favourable impression when making a winning debut for Paul Nicholls at Wincanton in November and is taken to follow up, getting the verdict ahead of another last time out winner Aqualung. Charlie Mann's gelding improved for the step up in trip and switch to hurdles when successful at Ludlow last month and has solid claims but he may struggle under the penalty for that success. Nicky Henderson's bumper winner Run For Moor was slightly disappointing on his hurdling debut at Ascot but should have learned from that effort, while Punjabi Army has shown promise but needs to improve on all known form to trouble the judge. Fighting Chance is held by Minella Theatre on running at Southwell last time and preference is for Definity. An Irish point-to-point winner, he looked one to keep on the right side of when successful at Wincanton and is taken to win again here.
Definity (IRE) 8-11fav (10-12) Chased leader, joined leader 3 out, led approaching 2 out, ridden and quickened clear approaching last, kept on flat, won at Wincanton 2m 6f nov hdl (4) gs in Nov beating Orion d'Oudairies (11-5) by 2 1/2l, 13 ran.
Minella Theatre (IRE) 11-8fav (11-4) Held up mid-division, chased leaders 3 out, hit next, ridden to lead approaching last, kept on well, won at Southwell 3m mdn hdl (5) gs beating Traffic Control (11-4) by 4 1/2l, 14 ran.
Anyauldiron (IRE) 9-1 (10-13) 13th of 17, 32l behind Ellen Tilley (10-6) at Huntingdon 2m nhf (5) gs in Dec.
Fighting Chance (IRE) 33-1 (11-1) Held up mid-division, chased leaders 9th, weakened approaching last, 4th of 14, 22l behind Minella Theatre (11-4) at Southwell 3m mdn hdl (5) gs.
Nahanni King (IRE) 66-1 (11-3) Held up, awkward 1st, soon struggling, tailed off, 12th of 14, well behind Bella Haze (10-3) at Chepstow 2m mdn hdl (5) hvy.
Punjabi Army 33-1 (11-3) Held up in touch, soon tracking leaders, chased leading pair from 3 out, no impression, 3rd of 5, 12l behind Bench Warrent (11-3) at Market Rasen 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) sft.
Run For Moor (IRE) 7-2 (11-0) Took keen hold in mid-division, hit 1st, headway 3 out, soon ridden, weakened before next, 8th of 16, 26l behind Midnight Sail (11-0) at Ascot 2m 6f nh mdn hdl (3) gs in Dec.
Aqualung (FR) 14-1 (10-12) With leader to 3rd, led 3 out, ran on, won at Ludlow 2m 5f nov hdl (4) sft in Jan beating Ballycarney (10-12) by 6l, 15 ran.
