held up last, headway 6th, jumped left 8th, led and jumped left from 4 out, eased flat
led until 6th, soon weakened
in touch and keen until blundered and unseated rider 3rd
tracked leaders, led 6th, headed approaching 4 out, soon ridden, no chance with winner
prominent and keen until 6th, soon behind
held up in touch, no impression and jumped right from 4 out
Per Amore and Best Wait both have to be respected but it will be surprise if this does not go to Idaho D'Ox. Much the best of these over hurdles, Martin Pipe's gelding has not won for over a year but has shown encouraging signs of an imminent return to form at Cheltenham and Aintree in his last two starts and, provided he jumps better than at Exeter on his chasing debut in October, Idaho D'Ox should be too good for some moderate rivals. Per Amore, a 113-rated hurdler, trained by Philip Hobbs and the David Nicholls-trained Best Wait may do better now that they tackle the larger obstacles but the selection looks different class.
