with leader, led 2nd, headed before 2 out, one pace
led to 2nd, tracked leader, led before 2 out, kept on strongly
in rear in 3rd, jumped slow 3rd, outpaced before 2 out
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Poole Master is the best of these over hurdles and makes his chasing debut on the back of a third over hurdles at Haydock. He's sure to figure if taking to the larger obstacles but VINTAGE STAR may just have the edge on this occasion. The latter went close to making a winning debut over fences when runner-up to stablemate Cloudy Too over these fences and can put that experience to good use today. Bumper and hurdle winner Real Milan ended last season with a fourth in a Grade 2 hurdle race and makes more appeal than both Makhzoon and Royal Curtsy on his first start over fences.
Poole Master 14-1 (11-12) Chased leaders in 3rd, ridden before last, one pace, 3rd of 12, 6l behind Yesyoucan (10-12) at Haydock 2m 4f hcp hdl (2) sft in Nov.
Real Milan (IRE) 9-2fav (11-8) Tracked leaders, reminders after 4 out, chased winner from 3 out, weakened and lost 2 places last 100 yards, 4th of 9, 15l behind Brindisi Breeze (11-8) at Haydock 3m nov hdl G2 (1) hvy in Feb.
Royal Curtsy 33-1 (10-7) Held up mid-division, headway after 2 out, weakened and lost 3rd place after last, 4th of 11, 26l behind Lisdonagh House (10-3) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) hvy in Nov.
Makhzoon (USA) 4-1 (11-1) With leader, led 5th, headed after 2 out, regained lead before last, soon clear, eased towards finish, won at Hexham 2m 4f sell hdl (5) sft in Nov beating Spear Thistle (10-12) by 14l, 4 ran.
Vintage Star (IRE) 11-2 (11-2) Chased leaders, ridden after 12th, led 4 out, ridden and headed last, kept on, 2nd of 8, 2 1/4l behind Cloudy Too (10-9) at Carlisle 2m 4f beg chs (3) hvy in Nov.
