led, mistake and headed 3 out, ridden and weakened before 2 out
always towards rear
always towards rear
in rear, soon well behind, tailed off, pulled up
held up mid-division, ridden to chase leaders after 3 out, kept on same pace in 3rd from next
mid-division and keen, headway after 3 out, led 2 out, stayed on well
tracked leader, led 3 out, headed 2 out, kept on and no chance with winner
tracked leaders, hit 2nd, blundered last, no impression
Are They Your Own is the solid one as he's far more experienced over timber than those who rate his prime threats. He scored at Ludlow last time and clearly enjoys front-running which frequently proves an advantageous tactic around this sharp track. Steadily progressive, he should definitely be in the firing line. He does face two really interesting opponents though, including Dry Ol' Party who completed a nicely improved bumper campaign with success at Taunton in October and should make his mark over hurdles although he may just require this first run back. Consequently, we'll take a chance with TERCEL on his hurdling debut for the champion trainer. A fair Flat handicapper with Sir Michael Stoute, Paul Nicholls blew away any cobwebs by running him on the Flat at Windsor recently so hopefully he'll be spot on to take advantage of the weight he receives from the topweight and use his speed from the level to advantage.
Are They Your Own (IRE) 14-1 (10-7) Made all, ridden after 2 out, stayed on well, won at Ludlow 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd beating Gambol (11-0) by 2 1/2l, 6 ran.
Dance With Me (IRE) 25-1 (12-0) Lost tch 12; to, 8th of 15, well behind Highland Thistle (12-0) at Dulverton West 3m ptp gd.
Innox Park 25-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, stumbled on inside over 3f out, ridden and headway over 2f out, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 8th of 12, 8l behind Air Horse One (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f NH flat (6) gd.
Virgile De Gene (FR) 100-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders on inside, ridden and lost place over 7f out, behind final 5f, 7th of 12, 30l behind One Cool Scorpion (10-10) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f NH flat (5) gs.
Bogoss Du Perret (FR) 25-1 (10-2) Held up in last pair, driven along in modest 5th well over 2f out, never involved, 5th of 10, 33l behind Persian Delight (10-13) at Taunton 2m 1f cond NH flat (5) sft in Feb.
Tercel (IRE) 8-1 (9-0) Took keen hold, held up in 5th, pushed along and not quicken 3f out, edged left and struggling 2f out, beaten over 1f out, 6th of 8, 8l behind Mythical Madness (9-7) at Windsor 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gf (flat).
Dry Ol'party 13-8 (10-7) Tracked leader, led 2f out, soon hard driven, ran on well, won at Taunton 2m 1f NH flat (6) fm in Oct beating Benim (10-7) by 2 1/4l, 6 ran.
Sheer Poetry (IRE) 18-1 (10-10) Held up, took keen hold, hampered 3rd, lost touch before 3 out, 5th of 10, 36l behind Taweyla (10-10) at Worcester 2m mdn hdl (5) gs.
Mazovian (USA) 16-1 (10-12) Took keen hold, tracked winner, challenged after 2nd, led after 3rd until next, no extra before last, 5th of 6, 19l behind Buy Back Bob (10-12) at Wincanton 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd.