held up mid-division, pushed along before 7th, mistake and unseated rider 8th
tracked leaders, went 2nd before 7th, pushed along after 4 out, soon weakened
held up behind, headway before 3 out, soon left 2nd, kept on and no impression before last, lost 2nd place near finish
tracked leaders, lost place before 8th, pulled up before 3 out
held up towards rear, headway 4 out, went 4th 2 out, soon weakened
with leader, led 2nd, took keen hold, headed before 3 out, blundered 3 out and unseated rider when held disputing 2nd
held up mid-division, headway after 6th, led before 3 out, clear before last, eased towards finish
led to 2nd, with leader, lost place after 6th, soon tailed off
held up mid-division, fell 7th
held up in rear, headway 4 out, left 3rd 3 out, kept on to take 2nd near finish, no chance with winner
Fill The Power and Scotswell both like to force the pace so this may turn into a thorough test of stamina. That will suit Rudemeister, who couldn't quicken when second to Malin Bay over a slightly shorter trip at Kelso earlier this month. Andrew Parker's charge is 8lb better off here. Nodform Richard came up against Cheltenham winner Brindisi Breeze at Kelso and Newcastle before winning at Hexham and is worth another try over 3m but Bar De Ligne needs a return to his best if he's to figure off today's mark. VINTAGE STAR will relish the return to a longer trip as he was doing his best work at the finish when third over 2m4f at Haydock last time. He gets the vote in a tight handicap.
Fill The Power (IRE) 125-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, pushed along and lost place approaching 7th, well beaten 3 out, tailed off, 16th of 20, well behind Brindisi Breeze (11-7) at Cheltenham 3m nov hdl Grade 1 (1) gd in Mar.
Likeable Rogue (IRE) 13-8 (11-3) Tracked leader until after 2nd, prominent, mistake 7th, led 9th, not fluent 2 out, edged right before being headed last, stayed on same pace flat, 2nd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Talkonthestreet (11-3) at Exeter 2m 7f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Bar De Ligne (FR) 10-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, outpaced after 3 out, stayed on same pace approaching last, 6th of 15, 12l behind Volador (11-8) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Mar.
Vintage Star (IRE) 13-2 (10-11) Mid-division, jumped right and not fluent 3rd, not fluent 5th, ridden after 7th, headway 2 out, mistake last, stayed on flat, went 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Grandads Horse (11-12) at Haydock 2m 4f Novice Handicap Hurdle (0-135) (4-8yo) (3) gd.
Rudemeister (IRE) 3-1fav (11-8) Held up in rear, not fluent 2nd, headway after 6th, chased winner after 8th, stayed on, no impression final 250 yards, 2nd of 7, 3 1/2l behind Malin Bay (10-11) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gd.
Nodform Richard 11-8fav (11-2) Chased leaders, led 3 out, hard driven before last, ran on well, won at Hexham 2m 4f NH mdn hdl (5) gd in Mar beating Master Murphy (10-9) by 3l, 9 ran.
Malin Bay (IRE) 9-2 (10-11) Led until after 1st, prominent, jumped left and led 7th, ridden after last, edged left 200 yards out, readily, won at Kelso 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gd beating Rudemeister (11-8) by 3 1/2l, 7 ran.
Seven Is Lucky (IRE) 9-1 (11-7) Led 1st, made rest, driven 2 out, stayed on well approaching last, well in command flat, won at Ayr 3m nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Mar beating Stormion (10-9) by 5l, 7 ran.
Scotswell 11-2 (11-4) Made all, clear before 7th, pushed along before 2 out, ridden before last, held on well towards finish, driven out, won at Kelso 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Mar beating Easement (11-1) by 2 1/2l, 13 ran.
What A Steel (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway after 5th, weakened approaching 8th, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Native Gallery (11-10) at Aintree 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-120 (4) hvy in Dec, 13 ran.
