mid-division, hit 5th, headway next, ridden approaching 2 out, soon weakened
tracked leader until after 4th, hit 6th, no extra from last
held up towards rear, behind and reminders after 5th, soon weakened, tailed off, pulled up before 2 out
held up, weakened after 3 out
held up towards rear, headway approaching 2 out, soon ridden, kept on from last, no chance with winner
mid-division, mistake 2nd, weakened after 3 out
tracked leaders, not fluent 6th, weakened approaching 2 out
tracked leaders, went 2nd after 4th, led on bit approaching 2 out, readily
in rear, weakened 3 out
Nicky Nutjob and Royal Max have both shown winning form over hurdles and have to be respected under their penalties, particularly the latter of the two who has shown much improved form since being switched to hurdling from the level, but ULTIMATE sets a decent standard and gets the vote with Super Kenny rated the best of the remainder. The selection was a useful performer on the flat, winning a handicap off a mark of 76 when last seen on the level in October, and Brian Ellison's gelding has taken well to the winter game with a debut success at Huntingdon the following month with three decent efforts in defeat since then; he can resume winning ways here. Googoobarabajagal has run to a consistent level of form in four starts over hurdles and should again be thereabouts but he may have to settle for minor honours once more. Jeremiah seems to have lost his way on the flat of late and may do better now switched to hurdles but needs to and of more interest may be Sheena West's Reaction, who has shown some promise in two starts over timber in better races than this. French import Super Kenny, a dual winner on the flat in his native country, has his first outing over hurdles on his debut for Nicky Henderson and he has to be respected but Ultimate has shown a decent level of form and looks the one to beat.
Nicky Nutjob (GER) 50-1 (11-6) Chased leading pair, went 2nd 4th until hit next, weakened approaching 2 out, 3rd of 5, 29l behind Sang Bleu (11-6) at Huntingdon 2m 4yo nov hdl (2) sft in Feb.
Royal Max (IRE) 40-1 (11-6) Chased leaders, ridden and weakened after 4 out, 5th of 8, well behind Pistolet Noir (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m juv nov hdl Grd 2 (1) sft in Nov.
Ultimate Evensfav (11-2) Led, keen early, not fluent 3 out, mistake next, headed approaching last, weakened flat, 3rd of 5, 8l behind Soldatino (11-5) at Kempton 2m 4yo nov hdl G2 (1) sft in Feb.
Catchmeifyoucan (FR) 50-1 (10-7) Held up towards rear, weakened 4 out, last of 14, well behind Taffy Thomas (11-4) at Ffos Las 2m mdn hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Doric Echo 50-1 (10-9) Took keen hold in rear, stumbled after 3rd, weakened approaching next, tailed off, 6th of 8, well behind Fin Vin De Leu (10-12) at Warwick 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) hvy in Feb.
Googoobarabajagal (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) Held up in 5th, mistake 2nd, pushed along after 4 out, headway approaching 3 out, one pace before next, 4th of 8, 22l behind Barwell Bridge (10-12) at Ffos Las 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Jeremiah (IRE) 22-1 (9-2) Held up in touch, effort over 2f out, weakened quickly, last of 10, 11l behind Kuanyao (9-4) at Kempton 7f hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Nov (flat).
Reaction 25-1 (10-7) Close up in last pair, not fluent and reminder 4th, went 3rd 7th until ridden 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 4th of 5, 16l behind The Minack (11-7) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nh nov hdl (2) sft in Feb.
Super Kenny (IRE) (9-1) 3rd of 15, 1 1/4l behind Marinous (9-1) at Le Croise-Laroche(FR) 1m 2f 3yo lst stk hvy in Nov (flat).
Weet In Nerja 66-1 (10-12) Led, headed approaching 3 out, weakened approaching next, 5th of 6, well behind Peter Grimes (10-12) at Bangor 2m 1f 3yo mdn hdl (4) sft in Nov.
