always in rear, weakened after 7th, tailed off
prominent, led 9th, headed approaching 3 out, rallied next, kept on same pace
in touch, under pressure 4 out, soon beaten, tailed off
tracked leaders, led 3 out, hard ridden when strongly challenged after last, just held on
led until 4th, outpaced 8th, rallied 3 out, stayed on approaching last
in touch, headway 5 out, chased winner approaching last, ran on towards finish, just failed
prominent, mistake 2nd, led 4th, jumped right 5th, mistake 8th, headed next, weakened 2 out
Milan Royale scored over track and trip last time and is upped 6lb. Testing ground is a worry for him, though it's not a problem for RIVER PURPLE. The latter has a 10lb rise to contend with having won easily at Uttoxeter but there should be more to come from John Mackie's charge and he gets the nod. A winner at Sedgefield last month, Pistol Basc is another expected to go well in the soft going while dual hurdles winner Pindar looks best of the remainder back over the larger obstacles.
Milan Royale 5-1 (11-11) Chased leader until after 7th, handy 3rd, led before 4 out, went right 2 out, joined last, hung badly right under pressure and bumped 2nd flat, just held on, won at Catterick 2m 3f hcp 0-100 (5) gd beating Discoverie (10-13) by shd, 8 ran.
River Purple 16-1 (10-7) Always prominent, led 4 out, clear from next, steadied into last 2, comfortably, won at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-100 (5) sft beating Hero's Call (10-0) by 7l, 13 ran.
Chicago Alley 9-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders, went 3rd before 3 out, weakened before last, 4th of 10, 32l behind Venetian Lad (10-9) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp chs 0-100 (5) gd in Jun '12.
Pistol Basc (FR) 3-1fav (11-3) Tracked leaders and keen in 3rd, one pace from 2 out, 3rd of 7, 10l behind Prince Blackthorn (10-4) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp 0-100 (5) gs.
Pindar (GER) 12-1 (10-6) Led to 3rd, weakened after 4 out, 8th of 10, 36l behind Honourable Gent (10-7) at Newcastle 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gd.
Moonlight Maggie 10-1 (10-0) Held up, mistake 2nd, hampered 3rd, mistake 4th and when progess 6th, every chance 3 out, weakened before next, 5th of 9, 40l behind Classic Case (11-0) at Towcester 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-100 (5) gs in Nov.
Dorlesh Way (IRE) 7-1 (10-4) Last trio, disputing modest 5th but no chance when badly hampered 2 out, mistake last, 6th of 8, 32l behind Milan Royale (11-11) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp 0-100 (5) gd.
