close up, challenged before 3 out, every chance before last, no extra last 100 yards
held up towards rear, weakened before 3 out
chased leader, went 3rd before 2 out, led last, kept on well
led, ridden before and headed last, kept on and held
in touch, weakened before 2 out
chased leaders, ridden before last, no extra
in rear, weakened before 2 out
Skylander opened his account over hurdles with a hard-fought defeat of Sternrubin at Taunton but he looks vulnerable here under a penalty. Sternrubin's trainer, Philip Hobbs, runs NECK OR NOTHING in this and he could be the value. He would have got a closer in Glingerburn's race here last month had he not blundered at two of the three flights up the home straight and still has time on his side. It's A Sting had every chance when a beaten favourite at Huntingdon last time while the mare Lady Buttons has been struggling under a penalty. The market will be the best guide to the chances of French import A Cor Et A Cri.
Skylander (IRE) 7-1 (10-10) Mid-division, headway chasing leaders 6th, 2nd 2 out, ridden to challenge before last, led and edged left run-in, driven out, won at Taunton 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) sft beating Sternrubin (10-7) by 1/2l, 13 ran.
A Cor Et A Cri (FR) (11-2) 3rd of 14, 11l behind Auvergnat (10-5) at Fontainebleau(FR) 2m 2f 4yo chs hvy in Nov.
Double Shuffle (IRE) 33-1 (11-6) Held up in touch, not much room 5th, weakened well before 3 out, tailed off, 6th of 16, 45l behind Shanroe Santos (11-6) at Ludlow 2m 5f mdn hdl (5) sft in Jan.
Its A Sting (IRE) 11-8fav (11-5) Took keen hold, led, ridden after 2 out, headed and beaten when mistake last, no extra flat, 2nd of 8, 9l behind Maestro Royal (11-2) at Huntingdon 2m nh mdn hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Neck Or Nothing (GER) 11-2 (11-5) Held up towards rear, headway before 3 out, weakened before last, 4th of 11, 22l behind Glingerburn (11-12) at Doncaster 2m nov hdl (4) gd in Jan.
Lady Buttons 7-2 (11-2) Tracked leaders and keen, ridden before 2 out, weakened before last, 4th of 9, 9l behind Hainan (10-7) at Catterick 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Elkstone 20-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, headway over 2f out, not much room over 1f out, ridden and edged right entering final furlong, not able to get on terms, 8th of 15, 8l behind Wishfull Dreaming (10-12) at Cheltenham 1m 6f 4yo NH flat (Listed) (1) gs in Jan.
