made all, clear 2 out, pushed out
in touch, ridden to chase leader 4 out, weakened next
mid-division, ridden 4th, headway next, chased winner from 2 out, hit last
in touch, ridden 4th, weakened after 5th
towards rear, ridden after 3 out, plugged on
in touch, ridden and headway approaching 5th, kept on one pace
mid to rear, weakened 5th
tracked leaders, keen, weakened after 5th
tracked leaders, jumped right 3rd, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, one pace
towards rear, stumbled 2nd, lost touch 3 out, pulled up next
Nonrunner
Markington was not surprisingly well held in the Fred Winter at the Cheltenham Festival last time but should find this company more to his liking and Peter Bowen's gelding gets the vote to resume winning ways here at the main expense of Mister Benedictine and Classic Dream. The last mentioned has not progressed as much as may have been anticipated since making a winning start to his hurdling career and, while having claims here, may prefer a softer surface. Jimboreal, a winner in France, has given little real cause of optimism since joining the yard of Henrietta Knight, while Pukka Tique has disappointed in two starts on the level since making a winning hurdling debut. Taranis was nothing out of the ordinary on the level when with Sir Mark Prescott and now makes his first start for Nicky Henderson, who is sure to have him well schooled. Mister Benedictine has done little wrong over hurdles and has to be respected but Markington may be too classy for his rivals and he gets the vote.
Classic Dream (GER) 10-3 (10-11) Tracked leaders, ridden and every chance 3 out, hit 2 out and weakened, 10th of 13, 28l behind Kanad (11-3) at Ludlow 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Jan.
Markington 50-1 (10-6) In rear, behind from 5th, 18th of 24, 47l behind Gaspara (10-11) at Cheltenham 2m nov hcp hdl (1) gs.
Mister Benedictine 16-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, went 2nd at 6th, led after 3 out, headed towards finish, 2nd of 16, 3/4l behind River Logic (11-12) at Market Rasen 2m 1f 4yo nov hdl (4) gs.
Pukka Tique 12-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway 4 out, ridden and outpaced next, hit 2 out, led approaching last, stayed on well, won at Hereford 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (4) gf in Nov beating Decree Nisi (10-7) by 3l, 11 ran.
Amron Hill 25-1 (9-0) Mid-division, weakened over 2f out, 10th of 13, 19l behind Kilimandscharo (8-11) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcap (6) pol in Dec (Flat).
Noddies Way 6-1 (8-1) In touch, ridden 3f out, stayed on final 2f, never nearer, 4th of 12, 6l behind Lorikeet (9-6) at Lingfield 2m hcp 0-70 (5) pol (Flat).
Taranis 4-1 (8-7) Chased leaders, went 2nd over 1f out, ran on same pace, 4th of 15, 1 1/2l behind Kick And Prance (8-8) at Brighton 1m 4f app hcp (6) gs in Oct (Flat).
Jimboreal (FR) 7-1 (10-13) Chased leaders, driven along 5th, weakened approaching 7th, tailed off, 12th of 14, well behind Wizard of Us (11-5) at Uttoxeter 2m nov hcp hdl (2) gs.
