jumped boldly, tracked leader, led 5th, made rest, clear before 3 out, very easily
chased leaders, lost place after 4th, struggling in last pair, 9th, blundered next, tailed off
raced wide, chased leaders, mistake 10th, went 2nd approaching 3 out, well held next, mistake last, never any chance with very easy winner
chased leading trio, pushed along after 4 out, weakened before next
held up last, hit 9th, mistake next, never on terms but plugged on run-in
led until 5th, chased winner, pushed along after 4 out, lost 2nd approaching next, well held 2 out, mistake last, kept on pressing for 2nd, never any chance with very easy winner
NonRunner
Dream Du Grand Val was engaged at Exeter yesterday and is only entered here as a precaution. BEFORE MIDNIGHT will represent the stable and the winning bumper and hurdler was in the lead at this trip on his chasing debut at Leicester before weakening in the closing stages. He looks on a fair mark and can land this though Schiehallion Munro is in excellent form having won here, when The Some Dance Kid finished last of five, and at Newcastle and makes his handicap debut over fences. The ground was very testing when Diamond Fort ran well for a long way at Uttoxeter on just his second start over the bigger obstacles and he can make his presence felt from the bottom of the handicap. Return Ticket, a winning bumper and hurdler, had little chance in a Grade 1 at Sandown last month but had run well at Wetherby previously, despite mistakes, and can get into contention.
Schiehallion Munro 6-5 (11-6) Chased leader, led 3 out to last, ridden and rallied to lead near finish, won at Newcastle 2m (4) sft in Jan beating Stradivarius Davis (11-0) by nk, 3 ran.
The Some Dance Kid (IRE) 9-4 (11-2) Led, hit 12th, headed 2 out, soon ridden, no chance with winner before last, weakened flat, last of 5, 13 1/4l behind Schiehallion Munro (11-2) at Catterick 2m 3f (4) gs in Nov.
Return Ticket (IRE) 33-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, outpaced 3 out, well held after, 5th of 6, 34 3/4l behind Esprit Du Large (11-2) at Sandown 2m (1) sft in Dec.
Before Midnight 4-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, headway before 4 out, led after 2 out, headed run-in, soon weakened, 6th of 7, 5 1/4l behind Pistol Whipped (11-5) at Leicester 2m 7f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Crixus's Escape (IRE) 14-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, ridden before 3 out, beaten next, mistake last, 5th of 11, 13 1/4l behind Flinck (10-10) at Haydock 2m 3f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Diamond Fort (IRE) 6-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders on inside, challenged 4 out, 3rd and beaten 2 out, 3rd of 6, 7 1/2l behind Shannon Bridge (11-8) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
Dream Du Grand Val (FR) 14-1 (11-1) Jinked right and started slowly, took keen hold in last pair, good headway chasing leaders 4th, weakened rapidly soon after 2 out, 14th of 15, 35 1/4l behind Getaway Trump (11-12) at Sandown 2m hcp (2) gd in Apr.
