tracked leaders, led 3 out, clear before last, kept on well
led until after 2nd, remained close up, ridden before 2 out, weakened from last
held up towards rear, ridden before 2 out, soon weakened
chased leaders, weakened before 3 out
always towards rear
in rear, headway before 2 out, ridden before last, kept on
held up mid-division, headway before 3 out to chase leaders, one pace
held up mid-division, ridden and weakened before 2 out
held up towards rear, weakened before 2 out
held up in touch, ridden and hit last, soon weakened
held up mid-division, headway before 3 out, went 2nd before 2 out, kept on and no chance with winner
towards rear, pushed along after 4 out, weakened 3 out
close up, led after 2nd, headed 3 out, kept on same pace
Watt Broderick has been raised 5lb for his win at Ludlow but would not want the ground to get much softer. The more rain the better, on the other hand, for WHISPERING HARRY. Henry Oliver's charge makes his seasonal reappearance but can race off a 5lb lower mark than over fences and should give a good account. Mica Mika has not appeared over hurdles since winning at Wetherby at the end of 2011 but rattled up a hat trick on the Flat at the start of this year while Bladoun has won here in the past, though the current form of his yard is a bit of a concern. Sir Valentino has to concede weight all round but this is a drop in grade.
Sir Valentino (FR) 25-1 (10-11) Chased leader, challenged 3 out until last, no extra final 100 yards, 8th of 11, 12 1/4l behind Old Guard (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Whispering Harry 9-4fav (10-9) Mostly chased winner until 6th, ridden and weakened before 5 out, 4th of 6, dist behind Oscar Hill (11-12) at Chepstow 2m hcp (3) gs in Mar.
Watt Broderick (IRE) 4-1fav (11-9) Held up, headway from 3 out, went 7 lengths 2nd when leader made terrible mistake last, led flat, stayed on, won at Ludlow 2m hcp (4) gd in Oct beating Impulsive American (10-6) by 2 3/4l, 7 ran.
Bladoun (FR) 9-2fav (11-9) Led, hit 4th, headed and dropped to 3rd 2 out, driven and one pace last, lost 3rd last, kept on same pace run-in, 4th of 10, 5 1/4l behind Brave Helios (11-1) at Chepstow 2m hcp (4) gd in Apr.
Captain Swift (IRE) 10-1 (8-12) Outpaced towards rear, never a factor, 8th of 13, 20 3/4l behind Card High (9-0) at Catterick 1m 4f hcp (4) gs in Oct.
Moidore 5-2fav (11-0) Close up, bumped 2nd, led 2 out, headed before last, no extra, 3rd of 12, 8l behind Angus Glens (11-0) at Southwell 2m mdn (5) gd in May.
Eddiemaurice (IRE) 25-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, pushed along before 2 out, ridden and hung right between last two, weakened soon after, 9th of 11, 32 3/4l behind Polstar (11-7) at Wincanton 1m 7f hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Hear The Chimes 16-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear and keen, effort before last, never dangerous, 12th of 14, dist behind Cusheen Bridge (11-12) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Canadian Diamond (IRE) 7-1 (11-9) With leader, pushed along over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 9, 18 1/4l behind Rum Swizzle (11-2) at Windsor 1m 4f hcp (6) gs in Oct.
Mica Mika (IRE) 10-1 (9-1) Took keen hold in mid-division on outside, pushed along 3f out, weakened soon after, 11th of 13, dist behind Passover (8-7) at Newbury 1m 2f hcp (2) sft in Oct.
Bodega 14-1 (11-7) Held up in rear, fell 3rd, at Warwick 2m hcp (4) gs in Nov.
It's All An Act (IRE) 14-1 (11-8) Towards rear, 6th at 3rd, 4th at 5th, 6th at 6th, dropped to 8th 2 out, no extra, 9th of 11, 25 1/2l behind Battling Boru (11-3) at Galway 2m 2f hcp Yielding in Oct.
Akula (IRE) 10-1 (10-12) Chased winner, closed after 2 out, driven and stayed on flat, just held, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Fair Loch (11-6) at Huntingdon 2m (5) gs in Nov.
