raced keenly mid-division, outpaced 3 out, no impression from next
close up on inside, lost place approaching 3 out, soon weakened
towards rear, some headway 3 out, soon ridden, never on terms
mid-division on outside, weakened approaching 2 out
mid-division, lost place 3 out, soon weakened
soon detached in rear, never dangerous
tracked clear leader, headway 4 out, led next, headed 2 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace, no impression with winner flat
in touch, driven and outpaced approaching 2 out, no impression approaching last
in touch, driven and effort approaching 2 out, soon ridden and outpaced, 7 lengths 3rd and no impression when hit last
tracked leaders, lost place 3 out, soon weakened
mid-division, ridden 2 out, kept on approaching last, never trouble leaders
held up mid-division, headway and in touch 4 out, challenged after next, led 2 out, stayed on well flat
allowed clear lead 4 out, headed next, weakened 2 out
MILLE CHIEF will be expected to take all the beating in this contest and should have too much firepower for Great Reason and Lost Glory amongst others. The selection was touted as a live contender for the Triumph Hurdle before he had set foot on a racecourse on these shores and was duly supported ahead of his debut. That run came to an abrupt end when he was brought down two from home but he made no mistake from a decent yardstick at Kempton over Christmas. The yard has hit form with a vengeance in recent days and Mille Chief is hard to oppose. Great Reason made the frame behind one of Alan King's in a bumper at Towcester before bumping into another fair sort at Uttoxeter. He's sure to have been well schooled but will need luck on his side to get the better of a smart prospect on his hurdling bow. Lost Glory and The Bonus Ball haven't achieved a lot in their starts this season but may improve with time and experience whilst Rock 'N' Roller has ability and could contest the minor places if putting in a clear round but their future may lie in handicaps whereas Mille Chief's owners will have higher aspirations for their charge.
Across The Straits (FR) 20-1 (10-9) Held up in rear, ridden over 3f out, never troubled leaders, 8th of 11, 7l behind Opening Meet (11-2) at Taunton 2m 1f mdn nhf (5) sft in Nov.
Argentis (FR) 125-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, blundered 3 out, weakened soon after, tailed off, last of 14, well behind Tito Bustillo (11-8) at Taunton 2m 1f nh nov hdl (3) sft in Dec.
Barton Alf 25-1 (11-0) In touch, lost place approaching 5th, mistake 7th, soon behind, 9th of 14, 48l behind Wester Ross (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m mdn hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Cockney Prince (IRE) 25-1 (11-1) Mid-division, slow 3rd, mistake 6th, headway 3 out, never on terms, 7th of 11, 41l behind Kerada (11-4) at Fakenham 2m nov hdl (4) sft.
Daaloob 50-1 (11-4) Held up in touch, slow 1st, lost place 5th, soon beaten, 10th of 11, well behind Kerada (11-4) at Fakenham 2m nov hdl (4) sft.
Danzig Fox 200-1 (10-12) Behind when jumped right and unseated rider 2nd, in a race won by Makhzoon (10-12) at Leicester 2m cond nov hdl 4yo+ (4) hvy in Dec, 13 ran.
Great Reason 9-4fav (11-2) Soon led, headed over 2f out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 16, 9l behind Bangkok Pete (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m NH flat (6) gd in May.
Kaycee (IRE) 150-1 (10-12) Mid-division, mistake 6th, weakened 3 out, last of 14, well behind Tito Bustillo (11-4) at Taunton 2m 1f nh nov hdl (3) sft in Dec.
Mohi Rahrere (IRE) 25-1 (10-11) Held up, weakened approaching 2 out, 5th of 14, 20l behind My Shamwari (11-0) at Southwell 2m mdn hdl (4) gd in Dec.
Rock 'n' Roller (FR) 33-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, fell 3 out, in a race won by Mr Plod (10-7) at Kempton 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Nov, 17 ran.
The Bonus Ball (IRE) 33-1 (11-4) Mid-division, chased leaders 5th, jumped right throughout, soon weakened, 6th of 11, 39l behind Kerada (11-4) at Fakenham 2m nov hdl (4) sft.
Lost Glory (NZ) 40-1 (10-9) Held up in rear, headway over 2f out, never dangerous, 10th of 12, 29l behind Dunraven Storm (11-0) at Ascot 2m NH flat (4) gd in Nov.
Mille Chief (FR) 8-13fav (10-12) Held up in 4th, hit 4th, headway to 2nd 3 out, challenging from 2 out, led as leader, not fluent last, stayed on well, ridden out, won at Kempton 2m 3yo nov hdl (3) gs in Dec beating Westlin' Winds (11-5) by 2 1/4l, 9 ran.
Princess Rainbow (FR) 6-1 (11-1) Held up, pushed along approaching 4th, soon weakened, 7th of 10, 47l behind Bathwick Quest (11-1) at Towcester 2m mrs nov hdl (3yo+) (4) hvy in Nov.
