prominent, hit 7th, soon ridden, lost place after 3 out, well held approaching last
pressed leader, led approaching 2 out, ridden and headed before last, stayed on same pace, lost 2nd final 100 yards
tracked leaders, ridden 2 out, weakened approaching last
held up in mid-division, headway approaching 2 out, went 2nd before last, soon led, ridden clear flat, stayed on well, eased close home
mid-division, not fluent 2nd, effort 6th, no impression when not fluent 2 out, stayed on same pace flat, no threat
mid-division, headway on inside approaching 5th, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off
tracked leaders, not fluent 5th, lost place when not fluent 2 out
towards rear, pushed along after 4th, lost touch from next, tailed off
held up in rear, headway from 2 out, closing when hit last, stayed on under pressure, went 2nd final 100 yards, no chance with winner
held up in rear, not fluent 3rd, mistake 5th, headway after 3 out, not fluent last, stayed on same pace
held up in touch in mid-division, headway after 3 out, ridden next, no impression on leaders approaching last
mid-division when not fluent 1st, mistake 5th, headway on outside 7th, went 2nd after 2 out until approaching last, soon weakened
took keen hold, made most until ridden and headed approaching 2 out, weakened before next
tracked leaders, lost place after 3rd, not fluent 5th, ridden next, not fluent 7th, mistake when behind 3 out, stayed on flat, no chance with leaders
A decent start to a cracking New Year's Day card with eight previous hurdles winners due to face the tape along with several promising maidens. Barbatos arguably has the best form having been placed behind the smart Fingal Bay here and at Sandown since scoring at Aintree. The grey appears to have the beating of Jump City on their latest run together and also gets 4lb from Ludlow winner Forgotten Gold and Allthekingshorses, who disappointed when favourite at Newcastle in November. Jimbill appears to be improving while Batonnier has shown some ability and points winner Master Of The Game will have had plenty of schooling. Useful bumper performer One Term should prove better than he showed at Hereford but IMPERIAL CIRCUS was always going well when beating hot favourite Rolling Aces at Taunton. He's very unexposed and could find the improvement necessary to be a factor in this much stronger heat.
Allthekingshorses (IRE) 13-8fav (11-6) Held up in touch, headway before 9th, ridden before 3 out, soon weakened, 5th of 9, 26l behind Fill The Power (11-3) at Newcastle 2m 6f nh nov hdl (2) gs in Nov.
Forgotten Gold (IRE) 4-9fav (11-0) Made all, clear before last, easily, won at Ludlow 2m 5f hdl (3) gd in Nov beating Joseph Lister (10-4) by 7l, 6 ran.
Jump City (FR) 13-2 (11-7) Tracked leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, soon beaten, weakened before last, 4th of 7, 30l behind Fingal Bay (11-7) at Sandown 2m 4f nov hdl G2 (1) gs in Dec.
Barbatos (FR) 12-1 (11-4) Held up in touch towards rear, not fluent 5th or 6th, ridden and outpaced by leaders when hit 2 out, well held when taking 3rd last, 3rd of 7, 19l behind Fingal Bay (11-7) at Sandown 2m 4f nov hdl G2 (1) gs in Dec.
Dawn Commander (GER) 20-1 (11-5) In touch on outside, outpaced after 3 out, rallied between last 2, chased leading pair last, ridden and kept on towards stands side rail flat, 3rd of 16, 1 3/4l behind Hit The Headlines (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Imperial Circus (IRE) 3-1 (10-12) Held up in touch, raced keenly, driven to challenge after 3 out, led last, driven out, won at Taunton 3m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Dec beating Rolling Aces (11-5) by 1/2l, 14 ran.
Jimbill (IRE) 4-9fav (11-0) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 4th, led before 6th, clear 2 out, eased flat, comfortabe, won at Fakenham 2m NH mdn hdl (5) gd in Dec beating San Telm (11-0) by 17l, 10 ran.
Sohappyharry 11-1 (11-5) Chased clear leader, closed 7th, led approaching 3 out, headed before next, edged left flat, stayed on, no impression, 2nd of 7, 2 1/2l behind Foxbridge (10-12) at Ludlow 2m 5f NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) gd in Nov.
Batonnier (FR) 6-1fav (11-7) Took keen holf, held up towards rear on inside, headway to hold every chance 2 out, still well there last, stayed on same pace flat, 3rd of 13, 4l behind Merehead (11-7) at Ascot 2m 3f nov hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gd in Oct.
Hard To Swallow (IRE) 13-2 (11-0) Behind, headway 3 out, soon chasing leaders, fell next, in a race won by Fingal Bay (11-0) at Chepstow 2m 4f nov hdl G2 (1) gd in Oct, 12 ran.
Judge Davis 14-1 (11-0) Took keen hold, chased leadrs, went 2nd 4 out, led briefly before next, hit 3 out and soon weakened, tailed off, 5th of 12, 32l behind It's A Gimme (11-0) at Newbury 2m NH mdn hdl (3) gs in Nov.
Master Of The Game (IRE) 4-5 (12-0) Ld til hdd 6th, lft in ld 4out, alw in command, easily, won at Loughrea 3m ire ptp sft in Oct beating Goulanes (11-4) by 7l, 12 ran.
One Term (IRE) 5-6fav (11-0) Led, headed before last, soon regained lead, ridden and headed run-in, kept on towards finish, 2nd of 15, nk behind Ballyrock (11-0) at Hereford 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) sft in Dec.
Reggie Perrin 10-1 (10-12) Held up in last pair, outpaced 4 out, 5th and still plenty to do 3 out, headway under pressure next, still 5th last, ridden and stayed on to go 2nd flat, nearest finish, no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 8l behind Secret Edge (11-5) at Fontwell 2m 2f 3yo hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Casco Bay (IRE) 150-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, hit 6th, weakened before 4 out, tailed off and pulled up before last, in a race won by Ballyrock (11-0) at Hereford 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) sft in Dec, 15 ran.
