raced keenly, mid-division, tracked leaders 4th, challenged 3 out, every chance next, soon ridden, one pace before last, no impression when lost place flat
mid-division on outside, outpaced and behind 3 out, rallied before last, ridden and kept on flat, went 3rd near finish, never reached leaders
tracked leaders, wandered slightly approaching 3 out, led when hung left before next, driven and kept on flat
mid-division, driven after 3 out, kept on same pace from next, never on terms
held up behind, outpaced 3 out, never on terms
held up behind, headway into mid-division on outside after 5th, outpaced 3 out, weakened next
tracked leader, lost place before 3 out, weakened after next
held up behind, blundered 6th, soon struggling, lost touch 3 out, pulled up next
led, mistake 7th, ridden after 3 out, headed before next, weakened last
tracked leaders, driven and one pace after 3 out, ridden after next, rallied approaching last, stayed on to take 2nd flat, no impression with winner
DEFINITLY RED couldn't get past Native River at Newcastle when well backed for his hurdling debut but the winner is useful and this slight drop in distance should see Brian Ellison's bumper winner open his account over timber. L'Aigle Royal has been highly tried since winning at Sedgefield in October and will appreciate this easier grade. He looks certain to be in the shake-up but Celtic Agent has spurned easier opportunities while Knight Bachelor needs more. Aristo Du Plessis was beaten more than 20 lengths when fourth over course and distance last month.
Aristo Du Plessis (FR) 80-1 (10-12) Mid-division, outpaced 3 out, some headway under pressure before next, stayed on to take modest 4th after last, no chance with leaders, 4th of 14, 22l behind Chieftain's Choice (11-5) at Catterick 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Celtic Agent 5-2 (10-11) Keen early, bumped and led briefly 1st, pressed leader, mistakes 5th and 8th, weakened before 2 out, 5th of 8, 27l behind Nightline (11-0) at Southwell 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) sft in Dec.
Definitly Red (IRE) 8-11fav (10-12) Tracked leaders, went 2nd before 3 out, challenged next, ridden and every chance between last 2, switched left last, kept on, no extra and held towards finish, 2nd of 6, 2 3/4l behind Native River (11-3) at Newcastle 2m 6f nh nov hdl (2) sft in Nov.
Knight Bachelor 16-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, headway 3 out, soon no impression, 8th of 18, 45l behind Cardinal Walter (11-0) at Doncaster 2m mdn hdl (5) sft in Dec.
Lowcarr Motion 100-1 (10-7) Mid-division, outpaced 3 out, weakened before next, 9th of 14, well behind Chieftain's Choice (11-5) at Catterick 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Masirann (IRE) 9-4 (11-2) Tracked leader, ridden 4f out, kept on one pace final 2f, 4th of 8, 10l behind Im Too Generous (10-13) at Musselburgh 2m NH flat (6) gd in Nov.
Palm Grey (IRE) 9-2 (11-4) Mid-division, tracked leaders when blundered 8th, ridden after 3 out, weakened next, 10th of 11, 25l behind Iconic Rose (11-4) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Dec.
Tickenwolf (IRE) 125-1 (10-12) Always towards rear, 13th of 15, well behind The Grey Taylor (11-5) at Wetherby 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Tomorrow's Legend 25-1 (10-12) Close up, led before 7th, headed 3 out, weakened before last, 5th of 7, 26l behind Three Musketeers (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
L'aigle Royal (GER) 7-1 (11-5) Led, headed before 4 out, outpaced before 3 out, kept on to take 3rd before last, no impression, 3rd of 6, 32l behind Peace And Co (11-5) at Doncaster 2m 3yo hdl Grd 2 (1) sft in Dec.
