tracked winner until before 3rd, went 2nd again briefly 4 out, pushed along in 3rd before next, weakened soon after, went remote 3rd close home
tracked leading pair, went 2nd before 3rd, hit 5th, hit next and lost 2nd briefly, pushed along before 3 out, lost 2nd next, soon ridden and weakened
raced keenly, held up in 4th, pushed along and struggling in rear before 3 out, rallied 2 out, went 3rd between last two, no chance with leading duo, dropped to 4th close home
raced keenly, waited with in rear, smooth headway out wide before 3 out, went 2nd 2 out, looked to hold every chance last, ridden and stayed on same pace towards finish
jumped right throughout, made all, soon clear, hung right on bend going out on last circuit, reduced lead 4 out, brought to near side rail in home straight, looked strongly pressed last, found extra and in command towards finish
Cellar Vie was beaten just over four lengths at Universal Folly at Carlisle in October but is 8lb better off here. Well Planted has claims on his second here two runs ago but needs forgiving a subsequent effort at Sedgefield. Bumper winner KINNEGAD LAD produced his best run over hurdles to date on his handicap debut at Limerick in May. It may be worth taking a chance on his fitness and he’s preferred to recent course and distance third Douglas Talking.
Universal Folly 7-2 (11-3) Held up, headway 2 out, ridden and stayed on to go 2nd towards finish, 2nd of 10, 3/4l behind Diamond State (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Kinnegad Lad (IRE) 17-2 (12-0) Mid-division early, closed up on inner from before straight, one pace from after 2 out, 3rd of 17, 5l behind Clonbury Bridge (11-13) at Limerick 2m 3f hcp Yielding in May.
Douglas Talking (IRE) 11-1 (11-8) Held up in rear, mistake 2nd, not fluent 3 out, switched right and headway before 2 out, went 3rd before last, no impression on front pair, 3rd of 9, 9 3/4l behind Ballycoose (11-8) at Ayr 2m mdn (4) sft in Dec.
Fame Valley (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway 4 out, unable to get on terms, no impression from 2 out, went 4th flat, 4th of 8, 11l behind Half Track (10-12) at Ayr 2m 5f (4) sft in Dec.
Cellar Vie 13-2 (11-0) Led, raced keenly, shaken up and headed narrowly 2 out, ridden and stayed on, every chance last, no extra flat, 3rd of 7, 4 1/4l behind Universal Folly (11-9) at Carlisle 2m 1f hcp (4) sft in Oct.
Well Planted (FR) 6-1 (11-4) Mid division, ridden and outpaced before last, weakened flat, 4th of 10, 19 3/4l behind Jungle Jack (11-4) at Sedgefield 2m 1f mdn (4) gs in Dec.
