led, driven and headed before last, every chance flat, stayed on, held final 75 yards
held up in rear, closed from 8th, in touch in rear when unsighted and bad error 2 out, lost momentum and plenty to do after, tried to close before last but unable to recover, lost 4th post
held up, closed to chase leader after 3rd, mistake 8th, led before last, driven and stayed on well flat
2nd until after 3rd, chased leaders, hit 2 out, outpaced before last, well held after
tracked leaders, mistake 2 out, outpaced before last, no impression after but stayed on final 100 yards to take 4th post
held up, closed 8th, not pace of front pair last, hung left and kept on flat, no impression
Wholestone has twice got the better of West Approach this season and only failed by a length to complete a hat-trick in this grade at the last meeting here. He is unlikely to be far away again but is giving weight to unexposed types who will likely be suited by this step up in distance. NO HASSLE HOFF (NAP) would have been two from two over hurdles had he not fallen at Fontwell. He’s a chaser in the making but can pick up some decent prize money over timber this season as he learns his job. Anchor Man could be anything after winning on his debut under Rules at Exeter and Impulsive Star has won a point, a bumper and a hurdle, though has yet to encounter conditions this quick. Ami Desbois has won his last two at Hexham and Haydock but is having his 10th career start this afternoon.
Ami Desbois (FR) 7-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders, led 5 out, headed after 4 out, ridden before last, kept on to lead last 150 yards, won at Haydock 2m 7f hcp (3) sft in Nov beating Desert Cry (11-5) by 2 1/2l, 10 ran.
West Approach 3-1 (11-7) Pressed leaader, led before 4th, ridden when hard pressed before last, headed flat, no extra closing stages, 3rd of 9, 4 1/2l behind Peregrine Run (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 5f (1) gd in Nov.
Wholestone (IRE) 5-2fav (11-7) Tracked leaders, went 2nd after 4 out, ridden to challenge on inside before last, kept on and every chance flat, held towards finish, 2nd of 9, 1l behind Peregrine Run (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 5f (1) gd in Nov.
Anchor Man (IRE) 4-6fav (10-12) Made all, clear before 2 out, kept on well, won at Exeter 2m 6f (4) gd in Nov beating Farm The Rock (10-12) by 8l, 9 ran.
Impulsive Star (IRE) 11-8fav (11-0) Keen, tracked leaders, hit 5th, led approaching 2 out, ridden and ran on, won at Ffos Las 2m 4f mdn (5) sft in Nov beating Riot Act (11-0) by 5l, 9 ran.
No Hassle Hoff (IRE) 4-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders and keen, led 3 out, clear after 2 out, easily, won at Hereford 3m 2f mdn (5) sft in Nov beating Hoo Bally Diva (10-7) by 19l, 7 ran.
