led, headed over 2f out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, headway over 3f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, held on towards finish
held up towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on to take 2nd place towards finish
in rear, pushed along over 2f out, soon weakened
mid-division, headway over 2f out, led 2f out, soon ridden and headed over 1f out, no extra towards finish
pushed along to chase leader, led over 2f out, headed 2f out, weakened over 1f out
chased leaders, outpaced over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
Nonrunner
Innoko landed a bit of a touch over slightly shorter here a couple of weeks ago but was entered in the 8.50 at Nottingham last night. He'd have an obvious chance if turning out here but in his possible absence DESERT CROSS can get the job done. From a yard in form, he's won over shorter here and finished close up on his only hurdles start so he shouldn't have any problems staying the trip. Halling's Wish and Wassail were both well behind Innoko last time so Captain George, a winner on the track, looks the best option of the remainder as he found 1m4f too short at Chepstow.
Meetings Man (IRE) 12-1 (9-2) Raced wide tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 9, 13l behind Whinging Willie (9-5) at Brighton 1m 4f hcp (5) gf in Sep.
Desert Cross 5-1 (9-2) Switched left after start, held up in 6th, headway chasing winner inside final 3f, every chance 2f out, ridden over 1f out, lost 2nd inside final furlong, no extra, 3rd of 8, 3 3/4l behind Falak (9-7) at Nottingham 1m 6f hcp (5) gd in Jul.
Innoko (FR) 6-1 (9-5) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, stayed on well, eased close home, won at Bath 1m 5f hcp (6) gf in Jul beating Londonia (9-7) by 3/4l, 8 ran.
Halling's Wish 12-1 (9-9) Mid-division, headway to chase leaders over 4f out, effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 4th of 8, 7 1/4l behind Innoko (9-5) at Bath 1m 5f hcp (6) gf in Jul.
Captain George (IRE) 9-1 (9-4) Chased leading trio until 5f out, soon pushed along, plugged on final 2f, 4th of 8, 7 1/4l behind Tobouggaloo (9-1) at Chepstow 1m 4f hcp (5) gf in Jul.
Bohemian Rhapsody (IRE) 14-1 (9-9) Close up, ridden and lost place 5f out, tailed off, last of 10, dist behind Knight Destroyer (8-12) at Chepstow 1m 4f hcp (5) sft in Jun.
Shot In The Dark (IRE) 22-1 (11-0) Led until 2nd, ridden 6th, soon weakened, pulled up before 3 out, at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Wassail 6-1 (8-10) Chased leaders, effort on outside over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 8, 12 1/4l behind Innoko (9-5) at Bath 1m 5f hcp (6) gf in Jul.