mid-division, headway 3 out, chased leaders next, ridden and kept on same pace flat, no impression
towards rear of mid-division, outpaced 4 out, never on terms
tracked leader, lost place 3 out, weakened from next
in touch on inside, hit 4 out, lost place 2 out, soon weakened
held up behind on inside, ridden and headway into mid-division after 2 out, kept on same pace, never on terms
mid-division, headway 3 out, outpaced next, weakened last
mid-division, headway 3 out, chased leaders when hit next, ridden last, kept on same pace under pressure flat
in touch, chased leader 2 out, challenged last, ridden to lead narrowly flat, kept on until headed and no extra final 50 yards
tracked leaders, lost place 3 out, weakened next, behind when pulled up before last
in touch on outside, blundered and reminder 6th, lost place after 4 out, weakened next, soon pulled up
in touch, lost place after 4 out, weakened next, behind when pulled up before last
behind, outpaced 4 out, never dangerous
led, driven between last 2, hard pressed when hit last, ridden and headed narrowly when edged left flat, kept under pressure
mid-division on outside, driven and headway approaching 2 out, effort last, ridden and stayed on under pressure to lead final 50 yards
blundered 1st, in rear, lost touch 4 out, soon pulled up
mid-division, chased leaders 3 out, kept on same pace approaching last, no impression
tracked leaders, ridden and lost place after 2 out, weakened before last
held up behind, headway into mid-division 3 out, never near leaders
Jeremy Scott has his string in terrific form and it would be no surprise to see Uttoxeter winner Ultravox in the firing-line back over hurdles here. Rangitoto doesn't look badly treated in his first handicap while there should be more to come this season from Venetia Williams' pair Mannlichen and Tenor Nivernais. Timesawastin ran out a cosy winner at Newton Abbot last month, despite running green, and is another with plenty of scope along with Perpetually, who won at Huntingdon and Haydock last month. But this stiff track should suit PRIDE IN BATTLE, who is fancied to make a winning reappearance. His two wins at Newbury last season worked out well and he just found himself outpaced in a tactical race when upped in grade at Huntingdon on his last start in February. He should be much more the finished article this winter.
Joker Choker (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway 6th, every chance when mistake 4 out, soon weakened, 15th of 18, well behind Arthurian Legend (10-6) at Chepstow 2m 4f hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) gd in Oct.
Lion On The Prowl (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Led until 6th, remained prominent, effort 4 out, weakened next, 16th of 18, well behind Arthurian Legend (10-6) at Chepstow 2m 4f hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) gd in Oct.
Ultravox (USA) 15-8fav (10-7) Tracked leaders, ridden after 7th, not fluent 3 out, challenged 2 out, guessed at last, driven out, won at Uttoxeter 2m beg chs (4) gd in Oct beating Pena Dorada (10-7) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Pride In Battle (IRE) 11-2 (11-3) Raced wide, held up mainly in 4th, hit 7th, challenged and every chance 3 out to next, kept on same pace approaching last, no impression flat, 3rd of 5, 3 1/2l behind Aikman (11-3) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nh nov hdl (2) sft in Feb.
Alderley Rover (IRE) 16-1 (10-5) Mid-division, took keen hold, headway 5th, every chance 2 out, no extra flat, 6th of 9, 8l behind Paint The Clouds (10-7) at Cheltenham 3m hcp hdl (2) gf in Oct.
Mannlichen 10-11fav (12-0) Mid-division, headway 4th, challenged after 3 out until 2 out, no extra last, weakened flat, 5th of 14, 18l behind Daring Origyn (11-8) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Feb.
Brackloon High (IRE) 15-8fav (11-5) Tracked leaders, lost place after 4 out, soon beaten, 11th of 12, well behind Jetnova (11-5) at Plumpton 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Perpetually (IRE) 13-8 (11-5) Tracked leaders,w ent 2nd approaching 3 out, led before last, idled, driven out, won at Haydock 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Oct beating Pippa Greene (10-12) by 3/4l, 7 ran.
Akula (IRE) 40-1 (11-2) Held up in mid-division, mistake 2nd, hit 5th, soon ridden and weakened, 15th of 23, 28l behind What A Charm (10-6) at Cheltenham 2m 4yo nov hcp hdl Grd 3 (1) gd in Mar.
Filbert (IRE) 16-1 (10-3) Mid-division, under pressure before 5 out, stayed on from 2 out, never on terms, 7th of 18, 18l behind Arthurian Legend (10-6) at Chepstow 2m 4f hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) gd in Oct.
Tenor Nivernais (FR) 11-2 (11-1) Held up towards rear, ridden after 5th, plenty to do when staying on approaching last, kept on flat, nearest finish, 7th of 23, 14l behind What A Charm (10-6) at Cheltenham 2m 4yo nov hcp hdl Grd 3 (1) gd in Mar.
Gamede (FR) 16-1 (10-7) Mid-division, 7th halfway, headway into 3rd 3 out, challenged 2 out and mistake, ridden in 3rd before last, 2nd run-in, no impression winner, 2nd of 13, 4 1/2l behind King's Parade (9-13) at Naas 2m 3f hcp hdl in Oct.
Timesawastin (IRE) 4-11fav (11-5) Reared start, lost 10 lengths, rapid headway to lead 2nd, tended to jump left, ridden when hit last and landed awkwardly, ran on, won at Newton Abbot 2m 3f NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) gd in Oct beating Briefcase (10-9) by 2 3/4l, 6 ran.
Rangitoto (IRE) 5-2fav (11-0) Held up in touch, jumped slowly 5th, chased leaders 4 out, driven to challenge next, led approaching last, stayed on well, won at Chepstow 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Apr beating Baile Anrai (11-6) by 2 3/4l, 12 ran.
Jolly Roger (IRE) 11-2 (11-0) In rear when fell 6th, in a race won by Balzaccio (11-10) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov chs (4) gd in Oct, 7 ran.
Legion D'honneur (UAE) 16-1 (11-9) Chased leaders, went 2nd 6th, led 4 out, not fluent 3 out, slight lead when fell 2 out, in a race won by Drumbaloo (11-12) at Chepstow 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Oct, 13 ran.
Royal Riviera 9-2 (10-2) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 3rd, mistake and lost place 8th, soon ridden, weakened after next, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Los Nadis (10-8) at Perth 3m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Sep, 9 ran.
Dark Ranger 20-1 (9-13) Held up towards rear, headway 3 out, ridden before 2 out, no extra from last, 4th of 10, 9l behind Ultravox (10-10) at Haydock 2m 4f nov hcp hdl (2) gf in Apr.
