held up towards rear, headway on outside travelling well before 2 out, ridden into 2nd before last, tried to challenge run-in, no extra in 4th inside final 150 yards
soon held up towards rear, headway approaching 2 out, driven and hung right approaching last, kept on run-in, almost snatched 2nd
towards rear, hit 3 out, some headway approaching last, no impression run-in
chased leader until approaching 3 out, soon weakened
took keen hold, settled in touch after 2nd, headway approaching 2 out, weakened between last two
held up last, headway approaching 2 out, disputing 2nd when blundered last, kept on into outright 2nd inside final 150 yards, not reach winner
took keen hold, tracked leaders and always travelling well on inside, good headway to lead 2 out, driven and stayed on well run-in
chased leaders, 2nd approaching 3 out until pushed along before 2 out, weakened run-in
took keen hold, held up, tracked leaders after 2nd, pushed along before 2 out, weakened between last two
led until 2 out, chased leaders, weakened approaching last
led until 2 out, chased leaders, weakened approaching last
Nabucco has been treating lesser opposition with contempt and John Ferguson won this with a novice in 2013. Sign Of A Victory won this last year but has a stone more to carry. However, he took on top-class hurdlers later and was just touched off in the Scottish Champion Hurdle in April. Cloonacool won a Listed handicap at Market Rasen last month while the progressive Closest Friend has the scope to be better than his current handicap mark, though may find this test coming too soon. JOLLY'S CRACKED IT won the novice hurdle on this card 12 months ago. He appears much better going right-handed so can probably be forgiven runs at Cheltenham and Aintree in the spring and starts off the new season on a decent mark. Unanimite is capable on his day and another who is possibly well treated.
Sign Of A Victory (IRE) 7-2fav (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway before 3 out, went 2nd before last, every chance run-in, held near finish, 2nd of 14, nk behind Cheltenian (10-13) at Ayr 2m hcp (1) gd in Apr.
Jolly's Cracked It (FR) 8-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, not fluent 4th, gradually lost place, well beaten before 3 out, tailed off, 6th of 11, dist behind Cyrus Darius (11-4) at Aintree 2m (1) gs in Apr.
Cloonacool (IRE) 11-2 (10-4) Held up towards rear, headway after 3 out, not fluent when challenging 2 out, driven out, won at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp lst (1) gd in Sep beating Queen Alphabet (10-4) by 2l, 9 ran.
Aerlite Supreme (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) Held up, 9th from 3rd, last at 8th, progress and switched left after 3 out, left 3rd from 2 out, one pace from before last, no extra closing stages, 4th of 12, 10 3/4l behind Make A Track (12-1) at Down Royal 2m 4f hcp Good - Yielding in May.
Satanic Beat (IRE) 4-1fav (10-6) Tracked leaders, went 2nd over 4f out until over 3f out, chased leaders, weakened 2f out, unseated rider, at Newbury 1m 4f hcp (5) sft in Oct.
Unanimite (FR) 4-1 (11-3) In touch and pushed along at times, not fluent 7th, reminders and struggling after 8th, no chance after, 5th of 8, 10l behind Chalk It Down (11-12) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in May.
Nabucco 1-5fav (11-5) Held up, headway and went 2nd from 7th, led before 2 out, not fluent last, very easily, won at Huntingdon 2m 4f (4) gd in Oct beating Ballyarthur (10-12) by 11l, 6 ran.
Wilberdragon 7-1fav (11-3) Chased leaders, weakened before 2 out, 10th of 18, 26 1/2l behind Brother Tedd (11-7) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (2) gs in Apr.
My Manekineko 5-1fav (11-4) Held up 6th, not fluent at 6th, progress to 4th 4 out, soon 5th, 6th 2 out where not fluent, no headway, kept on one pace after last, 7th of 10, 9 3/4l behind Do Try Dolly (10-10) at Gowran Park 2m 4f hcp gd in Oct.
Closest Friend 5-4fav (10-12) Made all, not fluent 4th, clear before 2 out, easily, won at Market Rasen 2m 3f (4) gd in Oct beating Jethro (10-12) by 17l, 6 ran.
Favorite Girl (GER) 5-1 (9-0) Held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 10, 5l behind Interconnection (9-10) at Leicester 1m 2f hcp (5) gs in Oct.