in touch, headway 3 out, chased leaders next, kept on same pace closing stages
made all, jumped well, driven approaching last, ran on well
tracked leader, effort after 3 out, weakened before last
always behind
chased leaders, ridden to challenge 2 out, stayed on well after last, never reached winner
held up, headway before 3 out, chased leaders before last, never on terms
held up in rear, outpaced 3 out, stayed on well closing stages, never nearer
tracked leaders, mistakes, weakened 3 out
mid-division, headway 4 out, outpaced after next, weakened 2 out
NonRunner
Cool Sky justified favouritism at Uttoxeter in September and is only 3lb higher but this is a better race. Loverboy made a promising return to action behind Dashing Oscar at Fontwell and is better off at the weights but Buywise is more accomplished over fences. Bobo Mac wasn't disgraced on his handicap debut at Aintree and will strip fitter here but MIDNIGHT TOUR can defy top weight. Alan King's mare won at Ludlow, Hereford and Cheltenham last season and also ran a cracker in the Mares' Hurdle at The Festival. 3.20
Midnight Tour 9-4fav (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway before 2 out, led approaching last, soon clear, stayed on strongly, won at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp lst (1) gd in Apr beating Carnspindle (10-0) by 6l, 12 ran.
Dashing Oscar (IRE) 5-2fav (11-8) Jumped left at times, made all, kicked for home when fluent 2 out, clear flat, stayed on, won at Fontwell 2m 3f hcp (2) gd in Oct beating Diable De Sivola (11-9) by 3l, 7 ran.
Leoncavallo (IRE) 50-1 (10-11) Held up in touch, mistake 1st, pushed along after 4 out, soon weakened, 16th of 22, dist behind Fountains Windfall (10-12) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp (1) gd in Apr.
Buywise (IRE) 33-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, headway 5 out, chased leaders 3 out, ridden after next, stayed on to take 4th towards finish, no impression, 4th of 23, 10 1/2l behind Un Temps Pour Tout (11-12) at Cheltenham 3m 1f hcp (1) gs in Mar.
Clondaw Kaempfer (IRE) 16-1 (11-3) In touch on inside, lost place after 4 out, soon behind, no danger after, 10th of 15, 26 1/2l behind Bags Groove (11-2) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp (2) gs in Oct.
Bobo Mac (IRE) 25-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, driven and effort 2 out, soon ridden and one pace, weakened flat, 8th of 15, 19 1/2l behind Bags Groove (11-2) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp (2) gs in Oct.
Mizen Master (IRE) 50-1 (11-8) Towards rear, headway 3 out, chased leaders next, soon ridden and no impression, weakened flat, 9th of 21, 19 1/2l behind Master Dancer (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Cool Sky 5-4fav (10-9) Tracked leader, jumped left 1st, not fluent 7th, challenged 3 out, not fluent next, led before last, driven out, won at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Sep beating Just Milly (10-10) by 3/4l, 4 ran.
Loverboy (FR) 11-2 (10-11) Held up in rear, not fluent 4 out, headway after next, hung left and went 2nd briefly flat, no impression on winner, 3rd of 7, 3 1/2l behind Dashing Oscar (11-8) at Fontwell 2m 3f hcp (2) gd in Oct.
Mister Fizz 14-1 (10-3) Held up, ridden 3f out, never a factor, 7th of 10, 11 1/4l behind Bybrook (10-3) at Newbury 1m 4f hcp (5) sft in Oct.
