held up in rear, hit 4 out, never going well after, tailed off when hit 2 out
in touch, headway to chase leading pair approaching 2 out, ridden to challenge last, went 2nd near finish, not quite pace of winner
held up in rear, steady headway to chase leading pair 3 out, challenged and hit next, driven and kept on well flat, led towards finish
chased leader until ridden and weakened after 3 out
led, ridden and strongly pressed 2 out, driven and kept on well flat, headed towards finish, lost 2nd last strides
raced wide, in touch, ridden after 3 out, soon outpaced
pulled hard, chased leaders, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off when hit last
chased leaders, outpaced 3 out, no chance after
DEE EE WILLIAMS created a favourable impression when landing his maiden hurdle at Cheltenham last month and Nick Gifford's gelding is taken to follow up here, getting the verdict ahead of Baron De'l and Shoreacres. The last mentioned showed decent form in bumpers, culminating with a fine fourth in the Champion Bumper, before going on to make a winning debut over hurdles at Huntingdon earlier this month. Brendan Powell's gelding has to be respected and makes more appeal than the Evan Williams-trained Bergo, who has more to do than when successful at Plumpton last month. Alan King's Bakbenscher won well enough at Stratford recently and has claims from his in-form yard, while Secret Tune who was useful on the flat did everything asked of him on his debut at Chepstow and he is another to consider. Irish challenger Baron De'l was similarly good on the flat and should have learnt from his hurdling debut at Punchestown last month so he is another to be respected but marginal preference in an interesting contest is for Dee Ee Williams.
Bakbenscher 8-11fav (10-12) Took keen hold, mid-division, headway approaching 6th, challenging when hit 2 out, ridden to lead approaching last, ran on, won at Stratford 2m nh nov hdl (3) gd in Oct beating Ikorodu Road (10-12) by a hd, 16 ran.
Bergo (GER) 11-2 (11-0) Took keen hold, tracked leaders, left in lead 3rd until next, led 6th, made rest, shaken up soon after last, quickened right away, easily, won at Plumpton 2m mdn hdl (5) gf in Oct beating Drawback (11-0) by 6l, 12 ran.
Dee Ee Williams (IRE) 10-1 (11-2) Mid-division, not fluent 2nd, headway 5th, not fluent 3 out, challenged after 2 out, ridden flat, ran on to lead near finish, won at Cheltenham 2m mdn hdl (3) gd in Oct beating Gloucester (10-11) by a nk, 13 ran.
Secret Tune 9-2 (11-0) Tracked leaders, led after 2 out, run on, ridden out, won at Chepstow 2m mdn hdl (5) gs beating Unfurled (11-0) by 1l, 15 ran.
Shoreacres (IRE) 5-2 (11-0) Pulled hard and soon prominent, led approaching 4th, driven 2 out, soon clear, won at Huntingdon 2m nh mdn hdl (5) gd beating Carole's Legacy (10-7) by 10l, 11 ran.
Baron De'l (IRE) 5-1 (11-12) Mid-division on outer, 7th before 3 out, modest 5th approaching last, kept on well run-in, 4th of 25, 3 1/2l behind Fisher Bridge (11-12) at Punchestown 2m mdn hdl sft in Oct.
Kestrel Cross (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, raced keenly, headway approaching 3 out, never troubled leaders, 4th of 12, 12l behind Sunsetten (10-5) at Ludlow 2m nov hdl (4) gs.
Land 'n Stars 66-1 (9-4) Hampered on rails after 1f, always towards rear, 25th of 32, 38l behind Caracciola (9-6) at Newmarket 2m 2f hcap (2) gd in Oct (Flat).
St Savarin (FR) 9-2 (11-1) Always prominent, raced freely, wandered 2nd, led 4th, headed approaching 2 out, no extra flat, 3rd of 13, 7l behind Your Amount (11-1) at Stratford 2m mdn hdl (4) gd in Mar.
