bumped 1st, tracked leading pair, effort between last 2, led last, soon ridden, headed flat, no extra in 3rd final 100 yards
not fluent 1st, tracked clear leader, disputed lead after 2nd, ridden and every chance before last, kept on same pace flat
mid-division, tracked leaders on inside 2 out, effort and every chance betwen last 2, soon ridden, weakened flat
held up in last pair, driven after 3 out, weakened next, tailed off
mid-division, smooth headway to track leaders 2 out, not clear run and switched left approaching last, ridden to lead flat, kept on
raced keenly, led and clear until hung right and joined on bend after 2nd, driven after 2 out, headed last, weakened flat
held up mainly in 4th, tracked leaders on outside 2 out, came towards stands side rail and effort before last, soon ridden, stayed on to take 2nd final 100 yards, not reach winner
held up in last pair, headway and in touch 2 out, driven between last 2, one pace when switched inside before last, weakened flat
A very interesting finale can go to the unexposed MELODIC RENDEZVOUS, who may have come against a smart prospect when beaten on his hurdles bow at Exeter and gets 6lb here from the well-regarded Eduard and Southwell winner Imperial Leader. Valdez also has a penalty after getting off the mark at Huntingdon while this looks a big ask for ex-pointer Royal Boy following a lengthy absence. Mr Watson should improve on his fourth at Market Rasen, however, and Village Vic is probably better than he showed here last time though you'd expect a few of these to have more speed than Philip Hobbs' charge over this trip.
Eduard (IRE) 11-10fav (10-12) Tracked leader, led 4 out, clear before 2 out, easily, won at Newcastle 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov beating King Of The Wolds (10-12) by 18l, 16 ran.
Imperial Leader (IRE) 9-2 (10-12) Held up in touch, headway to 3rd before 2 out, ridden to lead before went left and hit last, stayed on well, driven out, won at Southwell 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov beating Ballyalton (10-12) by 3l, 9 ran.
Valdez 4-5fav (10-12) In touch, headway to track leader 5th, led before 3 out, ridden and ran on flat, won at Huntingdon 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Nov beating Softsong (10-12) by 3l, 13 ran.
Dr Dreamy (IRE) 80-1 (10-11) Held up behind, headway after 3 out, weakened before 2 out, jumped badly left last, 9th of 12, well behind Gas Line Boy (11-0) at Wincanton 2m 6f mdn hdl (4) gs in Oct.
Melodic Rendezvous 6-5fav (10-12) Tracked leaders, effort approaching 3 out, switched outside approaching next, every chance when bumped and carried left last, not pace of winner and held flat, 2nd of 14, 1 1/2l behind Mr Mole (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Oct.
Mr Watson (IRE) 6-4fav (10-12) Took keen hold in touch, improved to track leaders 4th, ridden approaching last, found nil, plugged on, 4th of 8, 7l behind Barrakilla (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Royal Boy (FR) 7-4 (11-7) Rcd 2nd/3rd, ld 3out, jnd 2out, ld bef last, rallied best, won at Rathmorrissey 3m ire ptp gd in Mar '11 beating Balinroab (11-7) by 1l, 12 ran.
Village Vic (IRE) 15-8fav (11-0) Held up mid-division, took keen hold and tracked winner after 3rd, lost place 2 out, soon driven and outpaced, no impression approaching last, 5th of 9, 14l behind Coneygree (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nh nov hdl (1) sft in Nov.
