set steady pace, joined when fell 2 out
tracked leader, left in lead 2 out, edged right between last two, kept on gamely run-in, driven out
held up last, went right 2nd, carried right 4th, 5th after 3 out, left modest 3rd and slightly hampered next, edged right and no extra between last two, jumped right last
took keen hold, held up in 4th, 3rd 4 out, left 2nd 2 out, stayed on under pressure run-in, always just held
last pair, went right 4th and 4 out, dropped to last after 3 out, no chance after, went right last, eased, tailed off
Clayton was a useful sort on the Flat on his day, winning three times. But he may well need this after a lengthy absence and it's hard to look beyond KILCREA VALE. Hugely impressive when scoring by 26 lengths on his hurdling debut at Market Rasen in January, the five year old will be stepping up through the ranks this season if all goes well and this looks a good starting point. Last month's Plumpton maiden winner Wishing And Hoping can only improve but the form of that race hasn't worked out. Brave Richard won bumpers at Market Rasen and Southwell in the summer but was only fifth when favourite on his jumping debut at the latter track.
Kilcrea Vale (IRE) 6-4fav (11-6) Tracked leaders, led before 2 out, clear last, easily, won at Market Rasen 2m 3f (4) gs in Jan beating Novirak (11-6) by 26l, 9 ran.
Wishing And Hoping (IRE) 10-11fav (11-0) Held up in rear, took keen hold, bumped 1st, headway after 5th, stumbled just before next, hampered 7th, challenged last, led flat, ran on, won at Plumpton 2m mdn (5) gd in Oct beating Theligny (11-0) by 1l, 9 ran.
Brave Richard (IRE) 6-4fav (10-12) Held up towards rear, not fluent 5th, headway when not fluent 3 out, ridden and no impression next, 5th of 8, 18 1/4l behind Aqua Dude (10-12) at Southwell 2m (4) sft in Nov.
Clayton 9-1 (9-10) Tracked leaders on outside, pushed along 3f out, soon weakened, 8th of 10, 27 1/2l behind Dare To Achieve (9-0) at Hamilton 1m 4f hcp lst stks (1) gs in May.
My Anchor 20-1 (10-12) Led, soon 7 lengths clear, headed approaching last, weakened flat, 4th of 7, 9 1/2l behind Imperial Presence (10-12) at Kempton 2m (4) gd in Nov.
Tilstarr (IRE) 7-1 (9-7) Slowly into stride, held up in last pair, no chance when switched left 2f out, 6th of 9, 16 1/4l behind Roly Tricks (9-1) at Brighton 1m 2f hcp (6) sft in Oct.
