led and soon 3 lengths clear, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, weakened next
held up, ridden 4 out, weakened 2 out
tracked leaders, pushed along and lost place 4th, behind next
tracked leaders, ridden and outpaced 3 out
towards rear, ridden and headway 3 out, pulled up next
tracked leaders, ridden to chase winner briefly 2 out, kept on one pace
in touch, headway 5th, tracked leaders next, ridden to chase winner 2 out, kept on one pace
in rear, ridden 2 out, never on terms
towards rear, not fluent 4th, ridden and outpaced 3 out, some late headway
in touch, headway 3 out, ridden next, kept on same pace
tracked leader, led approaching 2 out, ridden out
close up, slow and lost place 3rd, not fluent next, soon in rear
Twin Star and LAWMAKING, in particular, are capable of improving on their one run to date over hurdles. This sharp track should suit the latter and he could upset likely favourite Wild Max, who also had useful form on the Flat when trained in Germany but has been off the track for a while. Brigade of Guards has been threatening to win a race like this while Masters Legacy has a nice pedigree for jumping, tough Richard Johnson prefers fellow newcomer Mandalayan. Present Chief won a Worcester bumper in September but made little impression on his hurdles bow at Market Rasen.
Ask Robin (IRE) 7-2 (10-12) Held up in rear, not fluent 7th, headway 3 out, not fluent 2 out, no extra flat, 4th of 5, 14l behind Play The Ace (10-12) at Worcester 2m 4f (4) gd in Jul.
Brigade of Guards (IRE) 13-2 (11-2) Held up in touch, smooth progress to track leaders 4 out, mistake 2 out, soon under pressure, kept on same pace after last, 3rd of 6, 3 3/4l behind En Meme Temps (11-2) at Ascot 2m 3f mdn (4) gd in Mar.
By Order Of (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, jumped slowly 3rd, weakened before 5th, tailed off, 12th of 13, dist behind Scardura (10-12) at Taunton 2m mdn (4) gd in Oct.
Flutiste (FR) 2-1 (11-0) Led to 11; wknd 3 out, last of 3, 20 1/2l behind Vincs Vinnie (12-0) at Trebudannon 2m 4f mdn gd in May.
Huccaby 100-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, beaten 3 out, tailed off, 13th of 17, dist behind Avarchie (10-12) at Wincanton 1m 7f (4) gd in Oct.
Lawmaking 8-1 (9-3) Mid-division, headway on inside chasing leaders over 2f out, went 2nd over 1f out, kept on same pace, no chance with winner, 2nd of 14, 7l behind Khuzaam (9-3) at Kempton 1m hcp (3) pol in Oct.
Mandalayan (IRE) 6-1 (9-12) Chased leaders in 4th, pushed along 5f out, weakened 3f out, 5th of 8, 20 3/4l behind King Of The Sand (9-4) at Epsom 1m 4f hcp stks (4) hvy in Sep.
Masters Legacy (IRE) Getaway gelding out of Gently Go.
Phoenix Lightning (IRE) 150-1 (10-12) Always towards rear, 9th of 13, dist behind Scardura (10-12) at Taunton 2m mdn (4) gd in Oct.
Present Chief (IRE) 6-1 (10-12) Mid-division, ridden 3 out, never on terms, 6th of 8, 17l behind Flow Away (10-5) at Market Rasen 2m 1f mdn (4) gs in Oct.
Twin Star (IRE) 25-1 (10-0) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, faded final furlong, 4th of 8, 11 3/4l behind Laafy (8-10) at Nottingham 1m 6f hcp (3) hvy in Aug.
Wild Max (GER) 11-1 (8-9) last of 9, 13 3/4l behind Potemkin (9-0) at Baden-Baden 1m 2f Grp 3 stks (1) gd in Oct.
Tipalong Tyler 66-1 (10-10) Mid-division, pushed along after 5th, never involved, 7th of 14, 33 3/4l behind Floressa (10-10) at Worcester 2m (4) gs in Oct.
