led, jumped left from 5th, ridden and headed after 3 out, one pace from next
held up, badly hampered 4th, lost touch after 7th, tailed off
in touch when brought down 4th
always towards rear, lost touch after 7th
held up in touch, hit 3rd, headway 6th, went 3rd after next, effort after 3 out, kept on same pace
always towards rear, lost touch after 7th, tailed off
chased leaders, not fluent 3rd, reminders after 6th, ridden after 8th, went 2nd flat, no chance with winner
chased leaders until fell 4th
tracked leader, led after 3 out, stayed on strongly, readily
Best Actor should defy a penalty with ease in this company as the likes of Sound Accord, Stripe Me Blue and Warlord have plenty to do. This novices' hurdle does not possess the class of some of the other contests on this high-quality card, but it does at least throw up an obvious contender in the shape of Best Actor. The Carl Llewellyn inmate impressed greatly with the manner of his maiden hurdle success at Fontwell, sauntering home to the tune of 22-lengths despite being taken wide throughout. A former progressive bumper winner, he may well be aimed at one of the staying hurdles at the Cheltenham Festival if following up today, and with not too much in the way of opposition, that is a distinct possibility, despite this slight drop back in trip. Best of the rest appears to be Huntingdon bumper winner Sound Accord who is a half-brother to River City and Wild Cane Ridge. He will be one to follow over fences, but in the meantime can go well on his debut over timber. Stripe Me Blue also makes her bow over hurdles after landing a moderate bumper at Exeter, but at least she has visited the winner's enclosure unlike Warlord, although he was placed third on his first try over hurdles here in December. Best Actor is head and shoulders above the rest and that will no doubt be reflected in his starting price.
Best Actor (IRE) 5-2 (11-0) Made all, stormed clear after 8th, unchallenged, won at Fontwell 2m 6f nh mdn hdl (5) gs in Dec beating Burren Legend (11-0) by 22l, 16 ran.
Anty Wren 33-1 (11-5) Held up in touch and keen, weakening when stumbled and unseated rider in race won by Debauchery (11-5) at Plumpton 2m 2f nhf (6) sft in Jan, 7 ran.
Double Intruder (IRE) 50-1 (11-0) Hit 1st, always towards rear, 7th of 18, more than 8l behind Fredensborg (11-0) at Wincanton 2m mdn hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Greenhill Bramble (IRE) 20-1 (11-6) Hit 1st, prominent, ridden when hampered 2 out, weakened, 9th of 17, 24l behind Or Jaune (11-0) at Sandown 2m 4f nov hcp hdl (3) gs.
Mountain of Dreams 100-1 (10-9) Mid-division until weakened 7th, 10th of 15, well behind Duc De Regniere (11-5) at Kempton 2m 5f nov hdl (4) gs.
National Trust 22-1 (11-0) Mid-division, mistake 4th, headway next, ridden approaching 2 out, held when left 4th at the last, kept on same pace, 3rd of 18, 8l behind Fredensborg (11-0) at Wincanton 2m mdn hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Phoenix Hill (IRE) 14-1 (9-9) Mid-division, ridden when hampered over 3f out, headway over 1f out, kept on, never trouble leaders, 4th of 13, 8l behind Zaville (8-9) at W'hampton 1m 6f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Oct (Flat).
Sound Accord (IRE) 5-2 (11-8) Prominent, led over 6f out, hard pressed from 2f out, stayed on well, won at Huntingdon 2m nhf (6) gs in Dec beating Its Teescomponents (10-6) by 3l, 17 ran.
Stripe Me Blue 11-2 (10-12) Led to 9f out, led again 7f out, shaken up, went clear over 3f out, soon in command, eased close home, won at Exeter 2m 1f mdn nhf (5) hvy in Jan beating Beau Regard (11-5) by 8l, 10 ran.
Warlord 66-1 (10-11) Close up, chased leaders from 3 out, 3rd when not fluent and one pace last, 3rd of 14, 5l behind Ringaroses (11-6) at Ascot 2m 3f nov hdl (3) gs in Dec.
Rucolino (IRE) 100-1 (11-4) Chased leaders until weakened approaching 3 out, 11th of 14, well behind Lead On (11-4) at Taunton 2m 1f nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
