led, jinked right and reminders passing paddock exit after 3rd, headed after 3 out, weakened flat, just nudged out when lost 3rd post
tracked leaders, raced keenly, went 2nd 6th, not fluent next, challenged 3 out, soon led, ridden approaching last, edged slighty left and came close to runner up flat, headed towards finish, regained lead post
mid-division on outside, not fluent 2nd, behind 7th, tailed off
took keen hold, soon in touch, close 4th approaching 3 out, weakened before next
held up towards rear, headway 4th, ridden after 7th, weakened approaching 3 out, soon hung left
held up in rear, raced keenly, some headway 3 out, never in contention
mid-division, raced keenly, headway approaching 3 out, outpaced before next, stayed on same pace flat to take 3rd post
tracked leader until 6th, stayed challenging, not fluent 2 out, edged right and came close to winner when jockey had whip knocked out of his hand flat, led and edged right towards finish, headed post
held up in rear, not always fluent, well beaten 3 out
CHEF JUNIOR is narrowly preferred here to stablemate Bai Zhu and Moleskin. The selection makes his hurdling debut this afternoon and this former point-to-pointer should improve for an obstacle. He was well-fancied in a Southwell (fibresand) bumper in January but was fairly well-held in fourth however this longer trip will suit and a bold bid is anticipated. Stablemate Bai Zhu has had two runs over hurdles, both in better races than this. His run at Ffos Las in January was his first for over a year so it should have brought him on plenty. Ballyegan is a former Irish point-to-point winner who needs a market check on this debut under rules. He is bred to be a fair stayer and cost connections £26,000 at the Cheltenham sales. Moleskin is a proven winner but his 10lb penalty really makes life tough; it won't be long before he is back in a handicap, or perhaps over fences. Quizwork may be underestimated; his third to Duke Of Lucca reads well and his subsequent Chepstow run can be ignored due to the poor ground. Dingat needs to step up massively on his hurdling bow, so The Big Orse is more interesting after his three month break. Not straightforward, however Chef Junior may be the one to side with.
Moleskin (IRE) 4-1 (11-4) Led, headed approaching 4th, ridden after 4 out, kept on and no impression from 2 out, 3rd of 16, 23l behind Wishfull Thinking (11-11) at Exeter 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gs in Feb.
Bai Zhu (IRE) 14-1 (11-5) Held up, weakened after 4 out, 8th of 13, 39l behind Chartreux (11-5) at Ffos Las 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Ballyegan (IRE) 5-2 (11-7) Ww rr, gng well 5out & smooth prog 3out, cl 3rd & mstk 2out, ld early flat, sow, won at Dromahane 3m ire ptp hvy in Dec beating Teri D Trixter (11-7) by 5l, 11 ran.
Chef Junior (FR) 15-8fav (11-0) Held up in touch, pushed along over 2f out, beaten over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 7, 6l behind Prolinx (11-0) at Southwell 2m NH flat (4) std in Jan.
Constant Cupid (IRE) 100-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, modest 3rd when badly hampered on bend after 3 out, weakened 2 out, 7th of 12, well behind Sarando (11-4) at Lingfield 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Feb.
Dingat (IRE) 10-1 (10-9) Held up in mid-division, pushed along and weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off, 6th of 13, 41l behind Be There In Five (11-0) at Chepstow 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) hvy in Dec.
Quizwork (FR) 5-1 (10-12) Mid-division, chased leaders 4 out, ridden and outpaced next, soon weakened, 4th of 12, 36l behind Horsford (10-12) at Chepstow 2m 4f nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
The Big Orse 8-1 (11-12) Mid-division, ridden after 4 out, soon weakened, 13th of 14, well behind Zarrafakt (11-8) at Newbury 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Nov.
Witch's Hat (IRE) 100-1 (11-2) Mistakes, always in rear, tailed off, 9th of 11, 38l behind Universal Soldier (11-2) at Ffos Las 2m 4f NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (4) gs in Feb.
Solar Express 200-1 (10-11) In touch until 3rd, well behind approaching 6th, tailed off, 10th of 11, well behind Born Again (10-13) at Fontwell 2m 2f NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (4) sft in Feb.
