made all, mistake 4 out, strongly pressed from next, hard ridden and kept on gamely flat
in touch, mistake 4th, chased leaders and every chance when mistake 3 out, outpaced next, no impression and lost 3rd close home
close up, chased winner 4 out, upside and not fluent next, every chance 2 out and last, hung left, flashed tail under pressure and not quickened flat
mid-division 2nd, mistake and behind next, tailed off 4 out
mistake 1st, held up in mid-division, effort and mistake 4 out, stayed on same pace from 2 out, took 3rd close home
chased winner to 4 out, weakened quickly
held up in mid-division, ridden and weakened after 4th
in touch, ridden after 4th, weakened next
in touch, outpaced after 4th, some moderate late headway
chased leaders, ridden after 4th, one pace next, weakened after 3 out
always in rear, tailed off before 4 out
always rear, tailed off after 4th
The shortlist here contains Papini, Always Waining, Mr Dinglawi, Mokum and Magnetic Pole, with the vote going to Papini. Much as there appears to be a cloud over the Nicky Henderson team, his local track might spark a change of fortune and Papini, a course and distance winner on his debut, on the face of things has good credentials for this contest. He was then second at Sandown which, while that form is nothing out of the ordinary, should be enough to see him run well today. Always Waining was 15 lengths behind subsequent Grade 1 winner Phar Bleu when fourth over course and distance on his hurdling debut and that form rates as good enough here to be warranted serious consideration here. Waziri has to improve on what he has so far shown, while Mr Dinglawi has shown a run-of-the-mill level of form but holds place claims. French import Mokum debuted in Grade 1 level on his British debut, so must be held in some regard and can go well, while Idris won a 13-furlong all-weather bumper at Lingfield two runs ago, and German raider Golden Millennium, who was 17-and-a-half lengths behind Mokum when they were both behind Phar Bleu at Chepstow last time, might also be afforded some respect. Classic Croco is a Flat winner and should maybe be watched for in the betting, and At Your Request certainly seemed to be improving when last seen at Warwick. Of the newcomers, Magnetic Pole won a 12 furlong Brighton maiden in October and, while he did not look a straightforward ride on the Flat , clearly has some ability. This is probably not the strongest juvenile novice hurdle you will see at this venue and Papini might just prove good enough, although his stable's form is a concern.
