slight lead, narrowly headed after 3 out, stayed challenging and every chance under pressure on long run to last, weakened before last
raced wide in mid-division, lost place 5th, headway 7th, challenged on long run to last, led before last, joined soon after, stayed on gamely and always holding on near finish
towards rear on inside, steady headway before 2 out, riddden 2 out, soon outpaced, stayed on again last
held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, ridden and outpaced before last
mid-division on inside, headway 9th, weakened before 3 out, tailed off
patiently ridden and held up in rear, smooth headway from 2 out, went 2nd and travelling on bit before last, not fluent last, found no extra and outbattled flat
chased leader, led narrowly after 3 out, headed on long run to last, weakened before last
took keen hold in mid-division, headway 7th, chased leaders next, led briefly on long run to last, outpaced by leading duo before last
chased leaders, ridden and struggling 8th, never on terms after
held up in rear, not fluent 3rd, stayed on before last, kept on same pace flat
chased leaders, ridden and every chance on long run to last, weakened before last
Nonrunner
Sir Kezbaah finally came good at Exeter nine days ago but might struggle under a 7lb penalty in this better grade. There's No Panic is having his first start since failing to land a hat-trick over 2m5f here in October but there are possibilities about northern raider Hollins, who was doing his best work at the finish when sixth in a conditionals' event over 2m5f at the Festival here last month. Mister Hyde was brought down in that race when still in contention and is another to consider over this longer trip while Counting House will be seeking to build on his recent success over 3m1f at Newbury. But we'll give another chance to NICENE CREED, who couldn't justify market support at Haydock last time but is undoubtedly well handicapped at the moment and could thrive on his first attempt at 3m.
Kayf Aramis 20-1 (10-9) In touch on outside, driven and outpaced 9th, lost place approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 14th of 23, 32l behind Buena Vista (10-3) at Cheltenham 3m lstd hcp hdl (1) gd in Mar.
Sir Kezbaah (IRE) 5-1 (11-8) Held up mid-division on outside, headway and in touch 6th, joined leadr going well after 4 out, led next, drew clear from next, eased towards finsh, easily, won at Exeter 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd beating Mauricetheathlete (9-7) by 11l, 10 ran.
Merrydown (IRE) 12-1 (11-11) Mid-division, headway before 2 out, ridden before last, kept on one pace, 5th of 14, 9l behind Cloudy Spirit (11-4) at Bangor 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gd in Mar.
Hollins 16-1 (10-10) Mid-division, ridden after 2 out, stayed on approaching last, kept on flat, going on towards finish, never nearer, 6th of 23, 19l behind Sir Des Champs (11-3) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp (2) gd in Mar.
Busker Royal 40-1 (9-13) Held up behind, headway into mid-division 3 out, outpaced next, never near leaders, 14th of 22, 31l behind Carlito Brigante (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) gd in Mar.
There's No Panic (IRE) 5-2 (11-6) Held up in 4th, headway 3 out, led next, soon headed, kept on same pace approaching last, 3rd of 6, 7l behind Final Day (11-6) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nh nov hdl (2) gd in Oct.
Dantari (IRE) 25-1 (10-0) Led and clear to 5th, headed after 3 out, ridden and lost place after next, no impression approaching last, 6th of 22, 15l behind Carlito Brigante (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) gd in Mar.
Benbane Head (USA) 11-2 (11-7) In rear, hit 6th, ridden after 4out, plugged on from 2 out, 5th of 13, 16l behind Tobago Bay (11-4) at Newbury 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft in Mar.
Nicene Creed 3-1fav (11-7) Tracked leaders, lost place before 5th, headway before 2 out, kept on from last, 3rd of 11, 13l behind Mad Moose (11-1) at Haydock 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Mar.
Counting House (IRE) 22-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, headway 4 out, soon chased leaders, led approaching last, ridden clear, eased near finish, won at Newbury 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Mar beating Master Eddy (11-7) by 8l, 14 ran.
Natural Action 22-1 (10-10) Chased leaders on inside, lost place 4 out, no impression from next, 6th of 15, 40l behind Roalco De Farges (10-6) at Chepstow 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs.
Mister Hyde (IRE) 16-1 (10-11) Prominent, ridden and about 8th when brought down 7th, in a race won by Sir Des Champs (11-3) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp (2) gd in Mar, 23 ran.
