always prominent, led narrowly after 3 out, ridden and headed between last 2, kept on same pace, no chance with winner flat
held up in rear, headway into mid-division 4 out, kept on same pace from next, never near leaders
held up behind, mistake 3rd, headway into mid-division 9th, ridden after 4 out, kept on same pace under pressure from next, never troubled leaders
with leader, led before 2nd, headed narrowly after 3 out, ridden next, one pace approaching last
led to before 2nd, close up on outside, lost place 8th, behind from 4 out, tailed off
mid-division, chased leaders under pressure after 4 out, weakened 2 out
behind, pushed along and reminders halfway, no headway, tailed off
mid-division, headway and in touch 9th, chased leaders 3 out, close up in 4th when not fluent next, went 3rd last, kept on, no impression
chased leaders, lost place after 7th, behind when mistake next, tailed off
mid-division, outpaced 9th, weakened after 4 out, tailed off
tracked leaders, under pressure when mistake 9th, ridden after 4 out, effort on inside next, kept on same pace, no impression
mid-division, headway on outside and in touch 8th, challenged 3 out, led going well between last 2, ridden clear flat
towards rear, outpaced 9th, never dangerous
Nonrunner
Racing Demon is thrown in on his best form and goes well fresh but he's looked out of sorts for some time and is best watched on this occasion. Bescot Springs arrives in form but steps up in class and looked a rather fortunate winner at Perth so he too is overlooked along with Dance Island, who must have a chance if he can transfer last season's chasing improvement back to hurdles but we'd like to see him show it first. Instead we'll side with CROSS KENNON, whose history of running well first-time-out promises plenty. He was last seen finishing sixth, ahead of Predictive, but that was in a much more competitive race than this and he doesn't look to have reached the ceiling of his ability yet. Solway Sam deserves respect as he's won on both visits to the track but the handicapper hasn't taken any chances while Sound Stage may be using this to tee-up a campaign over fences.
Racing Demon (IRE) 50-1 (10-6) In touch on outside, effort when hampered 2 out, soon ridden and no impression, 8th of 28, 13l behind Spirit River (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) gd in Mar.
Solway Sam 3-1 (11-12) Held up in 4th, not fluent, closed 3 out, went 2nd approaching 2 out, led 100 yards out, driven out, won at Aintree 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Jun beating Lamboro Lad (11-0) by 1/2l, 5 ran.
Cross Kennon (IRE) 8-1fav (11-3) Held up in rear, headway approaching 3 out, no impression, 6th of 21, 20l behind Ringaroses (11-0) at Aintree 3m hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) gd in Apr.
Predictive (FR) 16-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, ridden approaching 3 out, some headway next, soon weakened, 9th of 21, 26l behind Ringaroses (11-0) at Aintree 3m hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) gd in Apr.
Markington 12-1 (10-4) Mid-division when pulled up after 1st, dismounted, in a race won by Amber Brook (10-13) at Cheltenham 3m hcp hdl (2) gd, 14 ran.
Dance Island (IRE) 33-1 (11-4) In touch, chasing leaders when blundered 13th, chased winner flat, kept on same pace, 2nd of 10, 3 1/2l behind Burton Port (11-4) at Aintree 3m 1f nov chs G2 (1) gd in Apr.
Tarvini (IRE) 33-1 (11-7) Raced wide, in touch until pushed along and dropped to rear 6th, soon lost touch, tailed off before 4 out, last of 11, well behind For Non Stop (10-8) at Chepstow 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs.
Sound Stage 9-2fav (11-3) Mid-division, mistake 10th, headway and in touch 12th, went 2nd 3 out, ridden to challenge last, edged right and no impression flat, 2nd of 13, 9l behind Midnight Chase (11-8) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov ltd hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Apr.
Moorlands Teri 4-5fav (11-7) Led, reminders halfway, headed approaching 2 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 11, 3 1/2l behind Gwyre (10-4) at Sedgefield 2m 4f mrs nov hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Baccalaureate (FR) 20-1 (10-10) In rear, hit 4th, well beaten after 3 out, 12th of 17, 40l behind Palomar (10-10) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-150 (2) gd in Sep.
Parlesotho (FR) 13-2 (11-6) Tracked leaders, not fluent, mistake 7th, soon struggling, 7th of 10, 33l behind Points of View (11-7) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Aug.
The Shy Man (IRE) 9-1 (11-5) Always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Reel Charmer (10-8) at Kelso 3m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Apr, 12 ran.
Risk Runner (IRE) 14-1 (10-12) In rear, jumped very slowly early stages, mistake 2nd, lost touch 11th, pulled up before 14th, in a race won by Cape Tribulation (10-12) at Hexham 3m 1f nov chs (3) gs, 8 ran.
Bescot Springs (IRE) 9-2 (11-12) Prominent, outpaced by winner before 2 out, 7 lenghts down last, stayed on well to lead near finish, won at Perth 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Sep beating Mad Moose (11-7) by 2l, 6 ran.
