tracked leader, ridden and hung left on bend approaching last, one pace and not fluent last
led, not fluent 3rd, weakening when headed approaching 2 out
tracked leaders, led 2 out, ridden under pressure and headed close home
mid-division, headway after 5th, ridden and weakening when mistake 2 out
held up, headway 2 out, chased leaders 2 out, close up and no extra flat
in touch, ridden and weakened 7th
held up, smooth headway 3 out, ridden approaching last, ran on to lead close home
held up, ridden and hit 3 out, soon beaten
mid-division, ridden 6th, weakened 3 out
mid-division, headway 6th, tracked leader 2 out, close up flat, no extra
Little Shilling, Mr Maxim and Havenstone make the shortlist here with Little Shilling taken to follow up a decisive selling hurdle win when he was well supported. Havenstone has one bumper success to his credit, and having been campaigned over fences without success, he has recently reverted back to the smaller obstacles. However, though he has run some good races in defeat and this shorter trip looks likely to suit, he does seem one paced and is taken on. Mr Maxim seems to fall into the same category, having run some good races in defeat, notably when second last time. However, he is yet to win in 32 starts and he also looks one to oppose. Better ground and a shorter trip seemed to evoke improvement in Little Shilling last time, where he was backed to win a selling hurdle at Fakenham and duly obliged in terrific style. He seems to have been found a suitable opportunity to shrug off a seven pound penalty and Little Shilling can prove a good investment.
Havenstone (IRE) 6-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, stayed on same pace from next, 3rd of 14, 8l behind King's Majesty (11-1) at Plumpton 2m nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf in Oct.
Mr Maxim 5-1 (10-12) Led, headed on bend after 4 out, ridden next, every chance after last, one pace, 2nd of 10, 3 1/2l behind Solway Minstrel (10-10) at Haydock 3m 1f cnd hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf.
Abutilon 7-2jt-fav (11-2) Held up in touch, not fluent 10th or 11th, 5th when fell 5 out in race won by Et Maintenant (11-6) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Oct, 10 ran.
Sandy's Legend (USA) 66-1 (10-11) Towards rear, weakened approaching 4 out, 13th of 18, well behind American Trilogy (11-0) at Aintree 2m mdn hdl (3) sft in Oct.
Whitewater Dash 66-1 (10-11) Held up, in touch at back of main group before 8th, lost touch with leaders from next, 6th of 13, 36l behind Sullumo (11-6) at Bangor 3m nov hdl (4) gs in Apr.
Bolton Hall (IRE) 3-1fav (11-9) In touch, lost place approaching 2 out, 8th of 12, 30l behind Star Tenor (11-1) at Huntingdon 2m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd.
Ring Bo Ree (IRE) 3-1 (10-13) Held up in rear, not fluent 3rd, headway going well after 8th, tracked winner after 3 out, challenging when stumbled and fell 5 out in race won by Old Brigade (10-2) at Ludlow 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs, 15 ran.
Diktatorship (IRE) 9-2fav (10-11) Mid-division, headway and in touch approaching 3 out, weakened next, 11th of 14, well behind Miss Tarantella (9-11) at Hexham 2m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) hvy.
Abfabfong (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Mid-division, weakened 3 out, 9th of 11, 27l behind Starluck (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Aymard des Fieffes (FR) 16-1 (10-0) Close up until lost place 6th, good headway approaching 3 out, soon ridden, weakened quickly 2 out, 5th of 11, 23l behind Figurita (10-13) at Exeter 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in Oct.
Little Shilling (IRE) 11-8fav (10-8) Mid-division, headway to lead soon after 7th, ridden and clear soon after 3 out, unchallenged, won at Fakenham 2m 4f sll hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs beating Blueberry Ice (11-7) by 14l, 12 ran.
