held up mid-division on inside, outpaced 15th, 7th and no impression when mistake 3 out, rallied approaching last, stayed on to go 3rd flat, no impression
held up in rear, headway on outside 16th, challenged and every chance 3 out, lost place next, weakened flat
led, headed narrowly when hit 9th, led again 14th, ridden 2 out, 5 lengths clear last, stayed on well flat
behind, under pressure when hit 11th, mistake next, weakened 4 out
chased leaders, driven 15th, switched outside and effort after 3 out, soon ridden, went 5 lengths 2nd last, kept on same pace flat, no impression with winner
chased leaders, outpaced 4 out, weakened from next
tracked leading pair, ridden and lost place 14th, behind when pulled up before 3 out
tracked winner, led narrowly 9th, headed 14th, lost place when hit 16th, weakened 3 out
in touch on outside, went 2nd 16th, ridden and effort approaching 2 out, lost place last, weakened flat
held up towards rear when fell 3rd
MIDNIGHT CHASE is improving and is fancied to run a big race. Neil Mulholland's strapping gelding tends to jump well and he was imperious when springing a small surprise here in April. This ground suits more than when beaten into fourth in a Listed handicap at Uttoxeter and he should run well. Ouzbeck loves this type of ground, and whilst his mark now looks too high he commands respect, along with Calgary Bay who may be worth catching fresh. Lead On is another who has enough weight, whilst stablemate Lacdoudal doesn't have a great record after a break. Diablo's jumping has been a cause for concern, whilst Qulinton's third to Silmi last month looks solid. Meanus Dandy is likely to have some of the top staying handicaps in his sights this year and there is a chance that he might just need this run, although a mark of 128 looks fair.
Ouzbeck (FR) 14-1 (11-6) Held up in touch, went 2nd 14th, challenged 3 out, led before last, driven out, held on, won at Uttoxeter 3m 4f lstd hcp chs (1) gf in Jun beating Brooklyn Brownie (10-8) by hd, 18 ran.
Calgary Bay (IRE) 14-1 (11-7) In rear, weakened from 4 out, 4th of 5, 25l behind What A Friend (11-7) at Aintree 3m 1f chs G1 (1) gs in Apr.
Midnight Chase 8-11fav (11-12) Led, headed 4 out, regained lead approaching 3 out, clear approaching last, eased run-in, won at Hexham 3m 1f nov chs (4) gf in May beating Political Pendant (10-2) by 12l, 4 ran.
Lead On (IRE) 20-1 (11-1) Held up towards rear, outpaced 10th, ridden from 3 out, plugged on, no impression, 5th of 12, 14l behind Auroras Encore (11-1) at Uttoxeter 3m lstd hcp chs (1) sft in May.
Lacdoudal (FR) 12-1 (10-6) Always front rank, went 2nd 2 out, no chance with winner, dropped to 3rd flat, 3rd of 19, 10l behind Church Island (10-5) at Sandown 3m 5f hcp chs G3 (1) gd in Apr.
Double Dizzy 33-1 (9-11) Close up, 2nd halfway, fell 7 out, in a race won by Bluesea Cracker (10-3) at Fairyhouse 3m 5f hcp chs hvy in Apr, 26 ran.
Diablo (IRE) 6-5 (11-4) Jumped right, led until 6th, led after 7th until mistake 14th, weakened after 3 out, eased from next, last of 3, 43l behind Pilgrims Lane (11-8) at Bangor 3m nov chs (4) gd in Aug.
Qulinton (FR) 7-1 (10-3) With leader, mistake 4th, not fluent 8th, led next, jumped left 2 out, headed approaching last, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 15, 3l behind Silmi (9-11) at Market Rasen 2m 6f listed hcp chs (1) gd in Sep.
Meanus Dandy (IRE) 12-1 (10-1) Mid-division, headway 15th, chased leaders 18th, weakened from 5 out, pulled up 3 out, in a race won by Merigo (10-0) at Ayr 4m hcp chs G3 (1) gd in Apr, 30 ran.
Victor Daly (IRE) 11-4fav (10-12) Prominent, led after 7th, headed next, led 3 out until 2 out, weakened flat, 4th of 10, 15l behind Sir Ronan (10-12) at Worcester 3m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Aug.
