tracked leading pair, pushed along between last 2, left 2nd and slightly hampered last, stayed on same pace run-in
led and set steady pace, green in front and wandered at some flights, quickened approaching 2 out, 2 lengths ahead when fell last
keen, held up in 5th, closer when left in 4th 2 out, pushed along and no impression between last 2, left in modest 3rd and slightly hampered last
took keen hold, held up in 4th, switched left before 2 out, pushed along when pitched on landing and unseated rider 2 out
tracked leader, shaken up and 2 lengths down when left clear last, eased towards finish
held up last, jumped slowly 3rd, struggling from 5th, left remote 4th last, tailed off
Ainchea beat a subsequent winner when making a winning debut over the course and distance in December and was then second in a Listed race over a longer trip at Cheltenham. He looks a cracking prospect but so does COUNTISTER. She had top-class form in bumpers in France and came up against another very useful mare in Cap Soleil on her hurdles bow at Newbury. An effortless victory at Doncaster followed and she should have more to offer. Arthington has won three of his five hurdles starts and been second in the others but looks up against it here conceding weight all round.
Arthington 3-1 (11-8) Towards rear, headway before 3 out, went 2nd before 2 out, led 2 out, kept on well, won at Leicester 2m (3) sft in Dec beating Brianstorm (10-12) by 2l, 9 ran.
Ainchea (IRE) 4-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway after 3 out, went 2nd before last, every chance flat, held final 100 yards, stayed on, 2nd of 8, 1 1/4l behind Tikkanbar (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 4f lst (1) hvy in Jan.
Desiremoi D'Authie (FR) 12-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, never a factor, 12th of 14, 32 1/4l behind Brahms De Clermont (11-10) at Taunton 2m (4) sft in Dec.
It's Got Legs (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) Held up, jumped left 2nd, mistake 4th, headway on outside after 3 out, weakened well before last, last of 8, dist behind Western Ryder (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 1f (3) sft in Dec.
Countister (FR) 4-6fav (10-5) Prominent, went 2nd before 3 out, led 2 out, clear before last, easily, won at Doncaster 2m 1f (3) gd in Dec beating De Rasher Counter (10-12) by 7l, 10 ran.
Lightly Squeeze 16-1 (9-0) Last to break, took keen hold, held up in 5th, not much room over 2f out, soon switched left and weakened, 6th of 7, 19l behind Just In Time (8-10) at Leicester 1m 4f hcp (4) sft in Oct.
