chased leaders early, dropped rear 5th, headway 10th, went 2nd after 4 out, led after 2 out, ran on well
tracked leaders, went 2nd after 4th, hit 10th, left in lead next, ridden and headed after 2 out, kept on same pace
chased leaders until 4 out, 4th and beaten when fell 3 out
jumped left, led until fell 4 out
in touch, blundered badly 7th, never travelling after
held up, headway into 3rd after 7th, left 2nd briefly 4 out, gradually faded
This appears to be a three-horse race between Hold That Thought, L'Oudon and Chief Yeoman, with the vote going to the last-named. Chief Yeoman was rated much the best of these over hurdles, having been as high as 142 at one point. Granted, he did not manage to win too often, but then he was pitched in against useful company over timber, including when 12th in the County Hurdle on his final start of last season. He was not seen again until December when a decent sixth in the Listed Ladbroke Hurdle at Ascot, after which his sights were turned to the bigger obstacles by connections. Considering his inexperience he turned in an excellent performance at Hereford on his chase debut 19-days ago, going down by a short-head to the odds-on favourite Buena Vista, and if Sam Thomas had delivered him a bit sooner, he may well have come out on top. Unlucky then, he is taken to make amends before going on to better things. Both his main rivals have plenty to find on their hurdles form at least, with L'Oudon preferred to Hold That Thought who will need more time. The rest are nothing to get excited about, and basically, if Chief Yeoman jumps round, he will take all the beating.
Always Waining (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Led 1st, headed next, lost place 9th, mistake 11th, soon lost touch, 4th of 5, well behind Gungadu (11-8) at Warwick 3m nov chs (2) hvy.
Chief Yeoman 2-1 (11-2) Held up, chased winner 3 out, stumbled after 2 out, ridden flat, ran on, 2nd of 4, shd behind Buena Vista (11-12) at Hereford 2m nov chs (3) hvy.
Flash Point (IRE) 50-1 (11-0) Chased leader to approaching 6th, soon weakened, tailed off, 6th of 8, well behind Mister Quasimodo (11-3) at Exeter 2m 3f nov chs (4) hvy.
Hold That Thought (IRE) 9-2 (10-12) Led, headed approaching 8th, weakened 2 out, 5th of 7, 36l behind The King of Angels (10-12) at Ascot 2m 3f nh nov hdl (3) gs in Nov.
L'oudon (FR) 6-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, headway under pressure after 3 out, stayed on from next, never going pace to reach leaders, 3rd of 13, 12l behind Maharbal (10-5) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Dec.
Mibleu (FR) 28-1 (10-12) Pulled hard, headway to lead after 3rd, headed 5th, weakened quickly, tailed off, 9th of 14, well behind Ornais (10-12) at Exeter 2m 3f nov hdl (3) gd in Oct.
Necker (FR) 16-1 (11-4) Led, ridden and headed 3 out, soon weakened, 5th of 8, 16l behind Orang Outan (10-4) at Southwell 2m mdn chs (4) gs in Dec.
Irish Totty 100-1 (10-7) Mid-division until 8th, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Onward To Glory (11-0) at Wincanton 2m 6f nov hdl (4) gd in May, 19 ran.
