always behind, tailed off from 4 out
mid-division, mistake 6th, headway next, outpaced when mistake 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off
led, hit 7th, headed after 4 out, ridden and weakened next, tailed off
tracked leader, led after 4 out, headed 2 out, 1 length down when blundered last, ridden and rallied flat, led again post
mid-division, lost place 7th, soon weakened, tailed off
in touch, headway 4 out, went 2nd before next, led 2 out, ridden flat, kept on, headed post
in rear, mistake 3rd, shortlived effort 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off when mistake 2 out
mid-division, lost place and behind 4th, soon struggling, tailed off when pulled up before 8th
chased leaders, lost place 6th, soon struggling, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
held up, headway and in touch 6th, weakened approaching 4 out, tailed off
Dunaskin is more than capable of taking the honours in this contest but Brian Ellison's gelding has been well held in his last couple of starts over hurdles and in recent starts on the flat so a safer bet looks to be MAJOR PAYNE, who gets the verdict ahead of Romantic Bridge. Tim Vaughan's mare made a pleasing first start in a handicap at Newton Abbot earlier this month and she has an obvious chance being dropped into this grade. James Lambe's runners always warrant respect and his representative, Moygashel, is no exception having run some creditable races including when an admittedly well held third behind On Raglan Road at Hexham when last seen in October. Tollishill is lightly raced after just two starts in bumpers and he could be of interest on his first start over hurdles for Evan Williams. Similar comments apply to Martin Keighley's Benban Head and he does have winning point-to-point form plus ran in the Cheltenham Festival bumper when last seen, albeit being well held behind Dunguib. Preference then is for Don McCain's Major Payne, who ran well in his only start in a bumper and again on his hurdling debut when chasing home War Party at Worcester earlier this month.
Ashtonmore 300-1 (11-1) In touch until weakened 3 out, soon beaten, 7th of 9, 39l behind Singing Wizard (11-1) at Kelso 2m 2f nov hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Benbane Head (USA) 100-1 (11-5) Mid-division until outpaced 5f out, stayed on again final 2f, 10th of 24, 36l behind Dunguib (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m N H flat G1 (1) gs in Mar.
Desert Soul 50-1 (10-9) Led, clear approaching 4th, not fluent 2 out, headed and mistake last, one pace, 2nd of 8, 4l behind Word Of Warning (11-5) at Sedgefield 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gf.
Dunaskin (IRE) 7-1 (10-0) Towards rear, outpaced 4 out, never on terms, 8th of 11, 28l behind Harmony Brig (11-0) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp hdl (2) sft in Jan.
Ellandshe (IRE) 20-1 (9-7) Held up, pushed along after 10th, ridden and weakened approaching 4 out, last of 8, well behind Burgess Hill (11-5) at Perth 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs in Jul.
Major Payne (IRE) 85-40fav (10-12) In touch, ridden 3 out, chased winner flat, stayed on well towards finish, just held, 2nd of 10, nk behind War Party (10-12) at Worcester 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gs.
Moygashel (IRE) 5-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, went 2nd approaching 9th, weakened between last 2, 3rd of 8, 45l behind On Raglan Road (10-12) at Hexham 3m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Solway Andbeyond And Beyond gelding out of Lady Mag.
Elusive Swallow 100-1 (10-5) Tracked leaders, weakened approaching 2 out, 7th of 13, 35l behind Dead Or Alive (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gs.
Romantic Bridge (IRE) 5-1fav (11-0) Chased leaders, led narrowly on inside 4 out, ridden and headed 2 out, hanging left when mistake and weakened last, 3rd of 13, 10l behind Orion Express (11-5) at Newton Abbot 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd.
Tollishill (IRE) 5-1 (10-13) Held up, ridden over 5f out, headway from over 3f out, went 2nd over 1f out, stayed on, always held by winner, 2nd of 12, 2 1/4l behind Valbuena (10-3) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f NH flat (6) gd in Jun.
Tia Tara 50-1 (10-7) Held up in 4th, mistake 1st, lost place approaching 5th, behind from 7th, tailed off, 5th of 7, well behind Cooksgrove Lady (11-10) at Bangor 2m 4f mrs nov hdl (4) gf in Jul.
