chased winner until pushed along and mistake 5th, behind next, tailed off and pulled up after 3 out
held up 5th, travelling well in 3rd soon after 3 out, ridden and no impression between last 2, fell last
raced keenly, made all, pushed along when mistake 2 out, in command soon after, eased final 100 yards
chased leaders and keen, went 2nd 5th, pushed along before 2 out, kept on same pace and no chance with winner
chased leaders, went 3rd 5th until soon after 3 out, pushed along and weakened before next, left poor 3rd last
Solstice Star wasn't penalised for his victory in a conditionals' event at Chepstow and completed a double in a better race here a week later. The assessor has taken revenge with a massive 13lb rise and he may not be up to seeing off BLACKWATER KING. Johnny Farrelly's charge ran his best race over hurdles for a very long time when chasing home Cochinillo at Uttoxeter and can go one better from the same mark. Arthur Mc Bride has yet to win a race or tackle ground this testing and the remaining pair have little going for them, though Avel Vor has taken a plunge in the weights.
Come To The Party (IRE) 50-1 (11-8) Held up towards rear, reminders after 4th, weakened before 6th, pulled up (last hurdle omitted), at Exeter 2m 7f hcp (4) hvy in Nov.
Blackwater King (IRE) 16-1 (11-5) Held up in rear, took keen hold, headway 7th, led going well 3 out, headed next, soon ridden, led again last, headed flat, held after, 2nd of 7, 3/4l behind Cochinillo (11-4) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Solstice Star 4-6fav (10-9) Made all, not fluent 3 out, ridden when challenged next, ran on well, won at Lingfield 2m hcp (4) sft in Nov beating Mr Fickle (11-9) by 1 3/4l, 8 ran.
Arthur Mc Bride (IRE) 9-2fav (10-8) Held up towards rear, ridden and weakened before 2 out, 5th of 9, 23 3/4l behind Milord (11-4) at Towcester 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Avel Vor (IRE) 33-1 (11-4) In rear, headway approaching 2 out, never on terms, 8th of 14, 18 1/4l behind Qasser (11-6) at Taunton 2m hcp (4) gd in Nov.
