towards rear, not fluent 3rd, pushed along before 3 out, never involved
tracked leaders, slow jump 3 out, soon ridden and dropped away
in rear, headway after 4 out, went close 2nd 3 out, led approaching 2 out, soon clear and pushed out run-in, stayed on well, readily
pressed leaders, pushed along after 3 out, plugged on one pace
rear mid-division, chased leaders after 3 out, ridden and weakened before last
led, raced wide, headed and remained prominent after 3rd, led again 5th, pushed along before 3 out, headed approaching 2 out and ridden, stayed on but well held from before last
handy, led after 3rd, headed 5th, pushed along and weakened tamely 3 out
mid-division, headway into 3rd before 3 out, pushed along before 2 out, soon ridden and no impression
NonRunner
Applaus is best watched having pulled up in his last two outings with fellow course and distance winner WOR VERGE preferred. Susan Corbett’s charge came through strongly to score here earlier in the month and can defy a 5lb rise in this slightly better contest. Captain Ivan is potentially well treated back over hurdles but Somewhat Cloudy has yet to impress in handicaps. Happy Du Mesnil and Where's Hector both struggle to get their heads in front.
Where's Hector 11-8fav (11-3) Mid-division, mistake 4th, niggled along early, pushed along from 6th, never in contention, 3rd of 7, 6 3/4l behind Not What It Seems (11-3) at Sedgefield 2m 4f (4) gs in Apr.
Happy Du Mesnil (FR) 7-4 (11-4) Led, went left and bumped 1st, went right 4th, headed 6th, chased winner, hit next, went right and hit 4 out, went right again 3 out and next, soon ridden and no chance with easy winner, went right again last, 2nd of 4, 20l behind Henry's Friend (11-4) at Aintree 2m 4f mdn (4) gd in May.
Wor Verge 28-1 (12-0) Waited with in rear, gained a place 4 out, bit closer and switched right 3 out, headway chasing leaders next, strong run on inside after the last, ridden to lead run-in, battled on, won at Carlisle 2m 1f hcp (5) gs in Oct beating Bridge Road (11-8) by 2 3/4l, 13 ran.
Captain Ivan (IRE) 11-2 (12-2) Prominent, led 2nd, headed 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 10, 30 3/4l behind Kepy Blanc (10-7) at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 1f hcp (5) gd in Sep.
Serious Ego (GER) 18-1 (10-10) Held up in last pair, not fluent 4th or 5th, ridden and weakened before 2 out, last of 4, 31 1/4l behind Parisencore (11-5) at Perth 2m hcp (3) gs in Apr.
Applaus (GER) 12-1 (12-0) Mid-division, pushed along after 6th, slow next, well beaten after 8th, pulled up after not fluent 2 out, at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp (5) sft in Oct.
Lovely Moon (IRE) 11-4jfav (10-13) Led, headed and remained close up 6th, slow jump 3 out, soon ridden, no extra, 4th of 9, 17 3/4l behind Fulgurix (11-6) at Hexham 2m hcp (4) gs in May.
Somewhat Cloudy (IRE) 9-2 (11-1) Chased winner until before 2 out, soon weakened, last of 5, 37 1/2l behind Sarceaux (10-5) at Kempton 2m hcp (4) gs in Feb.
Kilbrainy (IRE) 7-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, in touch 3 out, 4th and beaten before 2 out, soon well held, 4th of 6, 21l behind Noble Birth (11-4) at Perth 2m 4f mdn (4) gd in Jun.
