tracked leaders, went 2nd 4 out, led travelling well before 2 out, 4 lengths ahead going strongly when bad mistake last, soon recovered and kept on well
hed up off the pace in mid-division, outpaced 3 out, plugged on from after next
chased leaders, outpaced in 4th 3 out, plugged on into modest 3rd before 2 out
held up off the pace and never closer than mid-division
always behind and never a factor, tailed off
raced keenly, chased leader until 4 out, handy 3rd, went 2nd again before 2 out, ridden between last two, 4 lengths down when hit the last, stayed on same pace and no chance with winner
off the pace and always towards rear
off the pace and always rear-division, plugged on
led, hit 4 out, ridden headed and weakened before 2 out, finished tired
off the pace and always towards rear, last and struggling home turn, tailed off and pulled up 2 out
Dan Skelton’s pair, William Of York and Santos Blue, might have place claims but will probably do better in handicaps. Fifth in the Champion Bumper in March, always a good source of novice hurdle winners, AUTHORISED SPEED bolted up in a maiden on his hurdling debut at Lingfield and the Montmartre gelding Immortal will have to be a smart newcomer to lower his colours here, despite receiving 5lb.
Authorised Speed (FR) 4-5fav (11-4) Midfield, headway to chase leaders 5th, led after 3 out, eased clear before last, went further clear after last, easily, won at Lingfield 2m 3f mdn (4) sft in Nov beating Broadway Boy (11-3) by 15l, 12 ran.
Arctic Lodge (IRE) 125-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, pushed along after 3 out, soon weakened, 5th of 6, dist behind Twig (11-0) at Kempton 2m 5f (4) gs in Nov.
Godot (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, pushed along before 2 out, kept on well run in but no match for winner, 3rd of 12, 8l behind Endless Escape (10-7) at Lingfield 2m (4) sft in Nov.
Harvie Wallbanger (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) In touch in mid-division, closed 4th, ridden and struggling 6th, behind from next, 11th of 13, dist behind Theatre Man (11-0) at Hereford 2m 4f (4) sft in Nov.
Horizon D'or (FR) 80-1 (11-0) In rear, asked for effort at halfway, soon struggling and pulled up, at Lingfield 2m (4) sft in Nov.
Immortal (FR) Montmartre gelding out of Cagnes Sur Mer.
Santos Blue 66-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, headway 6th, outpaced 3 out, 4th and weakening 2 out, 5th of 12, 27 1/2l behind Passing Well (11-4) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn (4) sft in Nov.
Silver Atom (IRE) 25-1 (10-13) Chased leader, jumped violently right 1st, jumped left 4th, pushed along and weakened 3 out, 5th of 6, dist behind Kingston Sunflower (11-0) at Ludlow 2m (4) gf in Oct.
Star Flyer (IRE) 18-1 (11-2) Tracked leader until 3f out, soon ridden, plugged on in 3rd final 2f, 4th of 7, 11l behind Iolaos Du Mou (11-2) at Newbury 2m (5) gd in Nov.
William Of York 18-1 (11-0) Raced keenly in towards rear, made headway under pressure after 3 out, ran on same pace, but always outpaced, 7th of 17, 20 1/2l behind Always Busy (11-0) at Warwick 2m (4) sft in Nov.
