tracked leaders, closed to take close 2nd 8th, led after 3 out, ridden and headed just after next, no extra flat
led, headed when not fluent 8th, weakened before 3 out, tailed off
held up in 4th, closed 8th, soon went 3rd, shaken up after jumping slightly slowly 3 out, picked up well and led on bit after next, eased clear from last
tracked leader, led 8th, headed after 3 out, still upsides winner who was travelling strongly when mistake last, no impression, one pace
Two very nice chasing prospects line up in this and TAP NIGHT is just fancied to get the better of Diocles. Lucinda Russell's six-year-old has had the benefit of a run this season, winning narrowly over hurdles here in November, and his defeat of Captain Conan in a Grade 2 at Kelso in March has turned out to be very good form. Donald McCain's runner won over the smaller obstacles here and at Bangor around this time last year but hasn't been seen since. Un Guet Apens and Lord Of Drums would need something to happen to the principals to win here.
Diocles (IRE) 2-7fav (11-11) Tracked leader, led after 3rd, headed next, led approaching and jumped right 3 out, jumped right next 2, ridden run-in, held on well, won at Ayr 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Jan '12 beating Jet Master (11-6) by 1l, 7 ran.
Lord Of Drums (IRE) 5-2fav (11-5) In rear, hit 6th, mistake next, ridden and struggling after 4 out, tailed off 3 out, pulled up after next, in a race won by Rowan Road (10-0) at Kelso 3m 3f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (5) sft in Dec, 6 ran.
Tap Night (USA) 6-4fav (11-12) Held up behind leaders, not fluent 6th, headway approaching 3 out, led last, just held on, won at Ayr 2m hcp hdl 0-140 (3) sft in Nov beating Auenschutze (10-0) by shd, 6 ran.
Un Guet Apens (FR) 20-1 (10-7) Led, blundered 7 out, soon headed, weakened 4 out, in 5th when fell 2 out, in a race won by Yurok (11-0) at Wetherby 2m 4f nov chs (3) sft in Dec, 7 ran.
