keen tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, weakened next, pulled up last
held up, ridden 3 out, some headway next, soon weakened
in rear when badly hampered 1st, behind 3 out, tailed off
keen prominent, led 4 out, hit next, ridden clear bend approaching last, comfortable
towards rear, behind when pulled up 3 out
unruly start and lost many lengths in rear, behind 3 out, never on terms
keen tracked leaders, led 4th, headed 4 out, chased winner and ridden next, keeping on same pace when lost 2nd flat
led, headed 4th, tracked leaders, ridden 5th soon lost place, weakened 3 out
close up, ridden 3 out, kept on same pace from 2 out
held up, ridden 3 out, never on terms
close up, weakened approaching 5th, pulled up soon after
keen held up, headway to track leaders 5th, ridden 2 out, kept on to go 2nd flat
A fascinating contest with many open to plenty of improvement. Magic Dancer and Haut Bages both receive the useful age allowance but need to improve on recent performances, as will Michael Bell's Instant Karma, a well-beaten third here last time. Barman, a dual winner in France, makes his hurdling debut for Nicky Henderson and obviously commands great respect but LATE NIGHT LILY receives a healthy 7lb sex allowance and looked one to follow when second to Expedite at Huntingdon on Boxing Day. She can go one better in an admittedly competitive affair. The one to note in the market is Gwafa, a useful Flat handicapper for Marco Botti and very highly tried on debut over timber when unplaced behind Cheltenham Festival - bound Altior at Kempton. He could be a very interesting recruit for Paul Webber.
Barman (FR) (10-6) won at Durtal 1m 3f gs in Nov beating Belle Kamikaze (9-10) by 1 1/2l, 13 ran.
Briac (FR) 3-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 7f out, led 4f out, soon headed, weakened over 2f out, 4th of 7, 31 1/4l behind Billy Bronco (11-5) at Towcester 2m mdn (6) hvy in Jan.
Gabriel Oats 66-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, not fluent 1st, headway after 5th, lost place 3 out, 10th of 12, dist behind Potters Legend (11-2) at Huntingdon 2m mdn (5) sft in Jan.
Gwafa (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Held up, close up after 3rd, ridden 3 out, outpaced next, 6th of 10, 27 1/4l behind Altior (11-8) at Kempton 2m (2) gs in Dec.
Honey Badger 9-1 (9-6) Always behind, 9th of 14, 4 3/4l behind Thane Of Cawdor (9-10) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Iman (GER) 66-1 (11-6) Mid-division, headway 3 out, soon no impression, 9th of 13, dist behind Champagne At Tara (11-6) at Catterick 2m mdn (4) sft in Dec.
Instant Karma (IRE) 11-4 (11-5) In touch, headway tracked leaders 5th, ridden 2 out, plugged on, 3rd of 13, 23l behind Dalaki (11-5) at Fakenham 2m mdn (5) sft in Jan.
Little Buxted (USA) 50-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, lost place approaching 3rd, well behind from 6th, 8th of 9, dist behind Sunshine Corner (11-3) at Plumpton 2m (4) hvy in Jan.
Late Night Lily 10-1 (10-5) Mid-division, took keen hold, headway after 5th, led after 3 out, headed 2 out, every chance when mistake last, edged left and stayed on same pace flat, 2nd of 16, 3l behind Expedite (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m 4f (4) sft in Dec.
Maybell 33-1 (10-6) Held up in rear, driven halfway, headway over 3f out, stayed on well closing stages, never on terms, 5th of 12, 16 3/4l behind Lolli (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 1f mdn (6) gd in Apr.
Rock Chick Supremo (IRE) 9-4 (10-10) Held up towards rear, headway before 3 out, went 3rd before 2 out, soon weakened, 3rd of 7, 34 1/4l behind Actinpieces (11-3) at Catterick 2m 3f (4) gs in Dec.
Haut Bages (FR) 9-4 (10-12) Keen, tracked leaders, pressed leader 4 out, ridden and every chance 2 out, weakened approaching last, 3rd of 7, 20l behind Sikandar (10-12) at Bangor 2m 1f mdn (4) sft in Nov.
Magic Dancer 7-2 (10-12) Took keen hold pressing leader, jumped badly left from and led 5th, headed 2 out, not pace of winner, 2nd of 5, 12l behind Sir Chauvelin (11-3) at Musselburgh 2m (2) gs in Jan.
