took keen hold, tracked leaders, went 2nd 3 out, challenged leader from 2 out, every chance next, one pace flat
tracked leaders, ridden after 3 out, weakened 2 out
mid-division, ridden and weakened 3 out, hit next
held up, ridden 3 out, weakened next, jumped left last
mid-division, hit 2nd, headway after 3 out, pressed leaders approaching 2 out, switched left approaching last, ridden and ran on to lead towards finish
keen, led, headed 3 out, ridden to lead again bend approaching 2 out, driven and edged left flat, headed towards finish
pulled hard, held up in rear, rapid headway to go in touch approaching 6th, ridden next, weakened approaching 2 out
keen, with leader, led 3 out, ridden, headed bend approaching 2 out, no extra when edged right and hit 2 out
always in rear, ridden and weakened 4 out
MANYRIVERSTOCROSS looks to hold rock solid claims and he is preferred to Inventor and Vino Griego. Alan King has had plenty of winners in the last fortnight and Manyriverstocross is well regarded by connections. He ran out an impressive winner at Chepstow last month in a maiden hurdle and if he is to make his way to the Cheltenham Festival next year he will be expected to take this. Inventor was well beaten on the flat in a competitive handicap at Ascot last month but he has got some solid form on the level and he could be interesting on his first run for Don McCain Jnr over hurdles. Vino Griego has been off the racecourse since February when he was an impressive winner of a bumper on heavy ground at this track. His trainer thinks a bit about him so if he is fit enough to do himself justice on his return from a break then he could go close. Bangkok Pete was found wanting under a penalty in a bumper last time but he had won well on his debut previously and he is not one to discount lightly. There are some interesting contenders here and Manyriverstocross is taken to get his head in front and enhance his reputation.
Manyriverstocross (IRE) 8-11fav (11-0) Held up mid-division, chased leaders 4 out, led 2 out, clear from last, readily (no official time taken), won at Chepstow 2m mdn hdl (4) sft beating Shalamiyr (10-11) by 8l, 15 ran.
Bangkok Pete (IRE) 7-2 (11-7) Held up towards rear, steady headway from over 4f out, chased leaders into straight, faded approaching final 1f, 6th of 13, 12l behind Nodforms Violet (11-0) at Ascot 2m NH flat (4) gd in Oct.
Final Son 66-1 (10-9) Held up in rear, raced keenly, never nearer, 6th of 17, 27l behind Mr Plod (10-7) at Kempton 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd.
Gifted Leader (USA) 10-1 (10-0) Held up in touch, weakened over 1f out, last of 14, 14l behind Crocus Rose (8-7) at Doncaster 1m 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Oct (flat).
Inventor (IRE) 16-1 (9-8) Prominent, ridden to challenge over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 18th of 19, 20l behind Opinion Poll (8-10) at Ascot 1m 4f hcp 105 (2) gs in Oct (flat).
King Olav (UAE) 12-1 (11-0) Mistakes, last pair, ridden and lost touch before 5th, tailed off, last of 4, well behind Helium (11-8) at Sandown 2m 3yo nov hdl (3) sft in Dec.
Nice One Eric (IRE) 15-8 (10-13) Held up, steady headway 5f out, ridden over 2f out, one pace, 4th of 10, 18l behind Finian's Rainbow (11-2) at Kempton 2m NH flat (6) gd in Mar.
The Rainbow Hunter 14-1 (10-5) Led to 2nd, clear before 4 out, headed approaching last, kept on same pace, 3rd of 14, 3l behind Pepe Simo (10-12) at Wincanton 2m nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Vino Griego (FR) 3-1 (10-8) In touch, headway to track leading pair over 4f out, went second over 3f out, led approaching 2f out, soon edging right, in command over 1f out and ran on well, won at Ascot 2m NH flat (3) hvy in Feb beating Western Leader (11-6) by 6l, 9 ran.
Walls Way 250-1 (10-11) Held up, weakened approaching 4 out, 9th of 15, 46l behind Manyriverstocross (11-0) at Chepstow 2m mdn hdl (4) sft.