tracked leaders, lost place before 4 out
led until approaching 3 out, soon lost place
held up in touch, not fluent 4th, headway 3 out, soon every chance, mistake 2 out, under pressure last, no extra flat
tracking leaders when fell 2nd
chased leaders, hampered 2nd, headway 3 out, weakened next
tracked leaders, led before 3 out, soon hard pressed, driven clear last, ran on well
Point-to-point winner ROCKY CREEK failed to land the odds at Exeter in November on his debut under Rules, but it wasn't a bad effort as he was beaten less than a length in second and had a couple of subsequent winners behind. A literal reading of the form gives him the beating of Gullinbursti, who was all out to win at Hereford last time, and Paul Nicholls' hurdler has lots of scope for improvement. He's also getting weight from African Broadway and Lovcen as they carry penalties for recent victories at Exeter and Towcester respectively, but Rival D'Estruval could still figure despite 6lb extra for winning a decent race at Aintree in October.
Rival D'Estruval (FR) 4-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, effort when hit 3 out, outpaced next, no impression when lost 3rd and mistake last, 4th of 13, 11l behind Nuts N Bolts (10-12) at Newcastle 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
African Broadway (IRE) 4-7fav (11-5) Made virtually all, joined last, briefly headed soon after, stayed on gamely to assert close home, won at Exeter 2m 3f nov hdl (4) sft beating Billy Merriott (10-12) by 1/2l, 14 ran.
Gullinbursti (IRE) 13-8fav (11-5) Maded virtually all, joined last, hung badly left under pressure and leant on 2nd flat, found extra and held on close home, won at Hereford 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov beating Grand Vision (10-5) by nk, 10 ran.
Lovcen (GER) 2-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, headway 3 out, soon challenged, led before next, drew clear between last 2, comfortably, won at Towcester 2m 5f NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) gd in Nov beating Knockalongi (10-12) by 17l, 10 ran.
Same Difference (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) Held up, headway approaching 7th, ridden after next, went 3rd 2 out, no chance with front pair, 3rd of 8, 10l behind Cotton Mill (11-4) at Warwick 2m 5f nov hdl Grade 2 (1) gs.
Rocky Creek (IRE) 8-11fav (10-12) Tracked leaders, ridden after 8th, went 2nd 3 out, challenging when not fluent 2 out, edged left flat, stayed on, just held, 2nd of 14, nk behind Allthekingshorses (10-12) at Exeter 2m 5f nov hdl (3) gd in Nov.
