led, not fluent 8th, ridden and headed bend entering home straight, soon broke down and pulled up
pecked 3rd (water), mostly tracked leader until ridden last, held and one pace before bend entering home straight
held up in 4th, went 3rd 4 out, challenged after last, ridden to lead bend entering home straight, driven out (no time taken)
tracked leaders, not fluent 3 out, soon outpaced, rallied before bend entering home straight, chased winner final furlong, stayed on, always held
Emotive kept on well when successful at Perth last week over 2m5f and may not be suited by dropping back in trip today or the 8lb rise in the weights for that success so he looks best left out of calculations in a race taken to go to HIGH STAND LAD. Martin Todhunter's gelding was good value for his win over course and distance last month when beating Peak Seasons by 14 lengths despite being heavily eased and he can defy the 10lb rise for that victory and win again. Richard Guest's Tifoso and Micky Hammond's Tranos make limited appeal and of more interest may be Don McCain's Morning Sunshine, who has shown gradual improvement in his runs this term but it is hard to get away from High Stand Lad.
High Stand Lad 12-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, led 7th, clear 2 out, eased towards finish, won at Cartmel 2m 1f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in Jul beating Peak Seasons (10-0) by 14l, 11 ran.
Emotive 11-4fav (10-0) With leader, jumped well to lead 11th, ridden and ran on flat, won at Perth 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf beating King Roonah (11-12) by 5l, 6 ran.
Morning Sunshine (IRE) 18-1 (10-9) Held up in rear, went 4th approaching 5th, outpaced 3 out, went 3rd last, no impression, 3rd of 6, 13l behind Khorun (10-12) at Southwell 2m nov hdl (4) gd.
Tranos (USA) 4-1 (10-2) Mid-division, quickly pulled up before 5th, in a race won by Seeyaaj (11-1) at Perth 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf in May, 8 ran.
Tifoso (FR) 25-1 (10-11) In touch towards rear, took keen hold, close enough on bend approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 7th of 8, 13l behind Celticello (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd.