held up towards rear, steady headway over 3f out, chased leaders over 2f out, ridden and stayed on to 2nd entering final furlong, edged left and no impression on winner
led until over 2f out, chased winner under pressure, no impression when lost 2nd entering final furlong, weakened to 4th final 100 yards
took keen hold and held up towards rear, pushed along in 6th 3f out, never on terms with leaders
held up in rear, headway to chase leaders 12f out, weakened over 3f out
always towards rear, pushed along 4f out, soon weakened
took keen hold tracking leaders, went 2nd on inside 3f out, led over 2f out, ran green in front, ridden and in command final furlong
tracked leaders on inside, pushed along 5f out, weakened over 3f out
tracked leader until 3f out, chased leading pair, hung right from over 2f out, lost 3rd over 1f out, ridden and rallied to 3rd again final 100 yards
chased leaders, pushed laong 7f out and again over 4f out, ridden and no extra in 5th over 2f out
Sidbury Hill battled on gamely to catch Binge Drinker at Worcester and a likely strong gallop here will play to his strengths. Volt Face was obviously well-regarded before his Towcester debut as he started long odds-on and duly obliged, making all for a very easy victory over Malibu Rock. JOSSES HILL was with Andy Oliver when runner-up to the very progressive Faugheen at Punchestown in May and though beaten a long way he went for £100,000 at the Sales and has joined Nicky Henderson. He can start repaying some of that outlay here. Minella On Line looked very much in need of the experience on his bumper debut at Chepstow and will have come on a bundle for the run.
Sidbury Hill 20-1 (11-3) Held up in rear, headway on inside over 5f out, ridden over 2f out, led inside final furlong, stayed on, won at Worcester 2m mdn nat hunt flat (6) sft in Oct beating Binge Drinker (11-10) by 3/4l, 14 ran.
Volt Face (FR) 1-2fav (10-9) Made all, ridden clear over 1f out, eased towards finish, won at Towcester 2m mdn nhf (6) gs in Feb beating Malibu Rock (11-4) by 10l, 5 ran.
Flashyfrank 33-1 (10-9) Behind, headway over 2f out, never nearer, 5th of 11, 30l behind Urban Hymn (11-2) at Huntingdon 2m NH flat (6) gs.
Head Rush Exit To Nowhere gelding out of Petale De Rose.
Jammy (IRE) 9-2 (10-7) Held up towards rear, plugged on final 2f, no impression, 5th of 9, 23l behind Unowhatimeanharry (10-10) at Fontwell 2m 2f NH flat (6) sft in Feb.
Josses Hill (IRE) 25-1 (11-11) Mid-division, headway into 8th 6f out, ridden into 4th 3f out, no impression entering straight, kept on into 2nd inside final furlong, no chance with easy winner, 2nd of 22, 22l behind Faugheen (12-0) at Punchestown 2m 5yo nhf gd in May.
Kotkiri (FR) Ballingarry gelding out of Kakira.
Minella On Line (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Took keen hold chasing leaders, pushed along 4f out, ridden 3f out, green and edged right 2f out, edged left and weakened over 1f out, 5th of 15, 9l behind Oscarteea (11-0) at Chepstow 2m NH flat (5) gd in Oct.
Saddlers Encore (IRE) Presenting gelding out of Saddlers Leader.
