prominent, pushed along and weakening when mistake 2 out
held up, headway 3 out, pushed along and every chance 2 out, soon ridden and weakened
chased leader, led after 3 out, pushed clear flat
held up in touch, niggled along and every chance when hit last, soon ridden and beaten
held up in touch, not fluent 5th, hit 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before last, broke blood vessel
led until after 3 out, ridden and weakened approaching last
held up, headway after 3 out, ridden and weakened before 2 out
ZAMANI made good on the promise shown at Ludlow on his hurdling bow to land a novices race at Fontwell last month. Further progress looks likely now handicapping and he gets the vote. Cedar Hill left his earlier form behind to win a handicap at Punchestown and has switched yards subsequently. But he has to race off an 18lb higher mark today and Crackdeloust is preferred on a recent second at Newcastle. Xpo Universel also posted a better effort when runner-up at Catterick last time but Masters Apprentice struggled in better company on his latest start having won over track and trip earlier.
Masters Apprentice (IRE) 9-2 (11-7) Chased leader, every chance after 3 out, weakened from 2 out, mistake last, 4th of 7, 13 1/4l behind Applesandpierres (10-11) at Leicester 2m hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
Mister Manduro (FR) 8-1 (11-4) Mid-division, not fluent 5th, mistake and struggling 3 out, 8th of 13, 28 1/4l behind Mario De Pail (10-12) at Kelso 2m (4) sft in Dec.
Xpo Universel (FR) 8-1 (11-10) Chased leading pair, pushed along before 2 out, one pace between last 2, went modest 2nd towards finish, 2nd of 10, 2 1/2l behind Snowed In (10-0) at Catterick 2m hcp (4) sft in Jan.
Crackdeloust (FR) 20-1 (11-0) Held up and behind, headway on outside approaching 2 out, pushed along and went 2nd last, ridden and kept on same pace flat, 2nd of 10, 1 3/4l behind Gennady (11-12) at Newcastle 2m hcp (4) sft in Jan.
Zamani (GER) 5-2 (10-12) Often jumped left, chased leader, went left and bumped 1st, pecked 4 out, ridden to lead after 3 out, wandered next, driven 2 lengths ahead when wandered and hit last where left further clear, won at Fontwell 2m 2f (4) sft in Dec beating John Betjeman (10-12) by 3 1/4l, 11 ran.
Cedar Hill (IRE) 7-1 (11-6) Disputed lead early, headed at 4th and raced 2nd, improved to dispute lead again 2 out, led travelling well entering straight, ridden at last, stayed on well under pressure inside final furlong, won at Punchestown 2m hcp Good - Yielding in Dec beating Balaclava (11-0) by 2 1/2l, 20 ran.
Lucou (FR) 25-1 (11-0) Mid-division, under pressure 4 out, soon weakened, 8th of 10, dist behind Hasankey (11-0) at Wetherby 2m (4) sft in Dec.
