pressed leader until 7th, lost place quickly 3 out, soon behind
mid-division on outside, closed 4th, headway 6th, outpaced after 2 out, well held last, went 4th flat
held up towards rear, headway 2 out, close 3rd last, no impression on winner flat, disputing 2nd towards finish
mid-division, outpaced after 2 out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, jumped left 4th, shaken up after 2 out, soon weakened
always towards rear, well beaten after 2 out
chased leaders, closed 5th, lost 2nd after 2 out, weakening before last
led, ridden after 2 out, headed flat, outpaced by winner, kept on
tracked leaders on inside, took keen hold, went 2nd after 2 out, led flat, ridden clear, stayed on well
Dashel Drasher ran a fine race over fences last time at Aintree having won over hurdles at that track earlier when favourite Brewin'upastorm departed at the first flight. A Grade 1 winner at the Festival here last March and later at Punchestown, MARIE’S ROCK returns from a break but may be hard to beat again if fully wound-up with Nico de Boinville preferring the mare to November’s Newbury winner First Street. There are plenty of dangers, however, as I Like To Move It took a big step forward when landing the Greatwood here in November and Knappers Hill won the Elite Hurdle at Wincanton in the same month. Botox Has has been in good form over 3m this season and beat Brewin'upastorm in the National Spirit at Fontwell last year but this company may be too hot for Tritonic and Langer Dan.
Botox Has (FR) 17-2 (11-11) Prominent, pushed along to challenge and led before 2 out, joined 2 out, faced sustained battle but led outright after last, asserted final 110yds, won at Haydock 3m hcp (1) sft in Nov beating Get A Tonic (11-0) by 2 1/4l, 13 ran.
Knappers Hill (IRE) 11-8jfav (11-2) Made all, pushed along before 2 out, three lengths clear when not fluent at final flight, stayed on strongly closing stages, won at Wincanton 1m 7f (1) gf in Nov beating Sceau Royal (11-8) by 2 1/2l, 4 ran.
First Street 3-1jfav (12-0) Tracked leaders on inside, 3rd after 4 out, 2nd next, closer 2 out, challenged last, ridden to lead narrowly run-in, edged left and stayed on strongly to assert inside final 150 yards, won at Newbury 2m hcp (1) gd in Nov beating Grivetana (10-3) by 2 1/2l, 7 ran.
I Like To Move It 17-2 (12-0) Made virtually all, ridden and stayed on strongly run-in, won at Cheltenham 2m hcp (1) gd in Nov beating Gin Coco (11-3) by 5 1/2l, 13 ran.
Langer Dan (IRE) 11-2 (12-0) Held up towards rear, shaken up after 2 out, no impression, 7th of 13, 10 3/4l behind Romeo Brown (10-8) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp (2) gs in Dec.
Tritonic 16-1 (9-12) In rear, pushed along over 2f out, never near leaders, 14th of 21, 31 3/4l behind Metier (8-13) at Doncaster 1m 4f hcp (2) hvy in Nov.
Brewin'upastorm (IRE) Evensfav (11-0) Held up, headway under pressure to go 2nd home turn, pressed leader 2 out, outpaced approaching last, no extra flat, 2nd of 4, 8 1/2l behind Goshen (11-6) at Ascot 2m 3f (1) gd in Nov.
Dashel Drasher 15-2 (11-4) Chased leaders, lost place before 3rd, closed 6th, led after 15th, headed 4 out, led 3 out, headed before last, no impression on winner flat, 2nd of 6, 3 1/4l behind Noble Yeats (11-8) at Aintree 3m 1f (1) gs in Dec.
Marie's Rock (IRE) 10-1 (11-5) Chased leader, slight mistake 4th, closer in 3rd halfway, went 2nd before 2 out, ridden and no impression early straight, kept on well run-in to lead closing stages, won at Punchestown 2m 3f (1) gd in Apr beating Stormy Ireland (11-5) by 1 1/4l, 9 ran.
