tracked leaders, ridden and outpaced before the last, plugged on run-in
pressed leader, challenging when left in clear lead last, driven and idled in front, always doing enough
led, hit 8th, going ok when fell last
off the pace and always towards rear
chased leaders, weakened 3 out
wore hood to post, off the pace towards rear, headway chasing leaders and kept on run-in, went never nearer 3rd towards finish
towards rear, behind and struggling 3 out, headway chasing leaders before next, went 2nd and stayed on run-in, always held
held up in mid-division, headway chasing leaders 6th, mistake 8th, pushed along after 3 out, soon weakened
mid-division, headway out wide chasing leaders 6th, left modest 2nd and hit last, lost 2nd and weakened run-in
never going that well in rear, not fluent 5th, closer before 4 out, awkward and weakened next, no chance when slightly hampered by faller last
held up in last pair, closer 4 out, blundered and unseated rider 3 out
NonRunner
Before Midnight hasn’t won in almost two years but only weakened at the last when sixth behind Dancing On My Own in a Grade 3 at Aintree in April and, with Ben Sutton claiming 7lb, is much better off at the weights with the winner here. He’s also had a pipe-opener over hurdles. Guy made all when landing the odds at Fontwell but will find it tougher to dominate here. RED ROOKIE doesn’t have many miles on the clock and is clearly useful when on song. It may be worth taking a chance on his fitness today with his yard in great form. Notlongtillmay was a smart novice last season and Haddex Des Obeaux was also very progressive last winter while Triple Trade also ended the last campaign with a double. In Excelsis Deo looked a useful recruit to chasing at Hereford last December but failed to build on that in subsequent outings.
Notlongtillmay 40-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, went 2nd before 8th, led before 2 out, ridden and headed approaching last, no impression on winner final 100 yards, kept on, 2nd of 7, 3 1/4l behind Stage Star (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 4f (1) sft in Mar.
Dancing On My Own (IRE) 5-1 (11-2) Led, slow 3rd and 4th, joined 8th and headed after next, led again briefly after 4 out, 2nd and pushed along before 2 out where mistake, ridden and no impression on winner before last, kept on one pace, 2nd of 4, 3 1/2l behind Easy Game (11-12) at Listowel 2m 3f Good - Yielding in Jun.
Haddex Des Obeaux (FR) 5-4fav (11-3) Took keen hold, made all, clear last (normal 2 out), unchallenged, won at Warwick 2m hcp (2) hvy in Jan beating Galop De Chasse (10-3) by 19l, 4 ran.
Before Midnight 9-1 (12-0) Held up in mid-division, headway after 5th, 2nd when hit 2 out, held last, lost 3rd and no extra flat, 4th of 12, 16l behind Chance A Tune (10-6) at Chepstow 2m hcp (3) hvy in Oct.
Prince Escalus (IRE) 22-1 (12-0) Chased leaders, ridden and lost place before 3 out, 7th of 12, 27 1/4l behind Found On (11-12) at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in Sep.
In Excelsis Deo (FR) 9-4 (11-5) Tracked leader, pushed along 3 out, kept on, no impression, 2nd of 3, 2 1/4l behind Thelasthighking (10-11) at Southwell 2m hcp (3) gs in Apr.
Triple Trade 13-8fav (10-12) Held up in rear, headway to chase leaders before 4 out, still travelling okay 3 out, ridden to press leader before 2 out, quickly asserted and 5 lengths ahead approaching last, stayed on well run-in, won at Kempton 2m 2f hcp (3) gs in Apr beating Light N Strike (12-1) by 9 1/2l, 8 ran.
The Dasher Conway (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) Soon tracked leader, in touch after 2nd, progress to 3rd at 5th, improved to 2nd before 2 out, strongly challenged leader run-in, just failed, 2nd of 9, hd behind Must Meet Cecil (11-6) at Fairyhouse 2m hcp sft in Oct.
Guy (IRE) 10-11fav (11-9) Made all, 2 lengths clear 3 out, still travelling okay 2 out where not fluent, soon ridden, 4 lengths clear approaching last, soon extended advantage, pushed out run-in, won at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp (3) gd in Oct beating Fairway Freddy (11-2) by 11l, 4 ran.
Royale Margaux (FR) 11-4 (10-13) Held up on outside, closed 6th, challenged 9th, led 2 out, faltered, edged left and headed flat, soon switched right, no impression towards finish, 2nd of 6, 2 1/4l behind Pink Legend (12-2) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (3) gd in Apr.
Madara (FR) (11-7) 2nd of 6, nk behind Romarius (11-4) at Auteuil 2m 1f hvy in Oct.
Red Rookie 9-4fav (12-0) Tracked leaders on inner, lost ground when slow jump 4th, outpaced after 9th, ridden along before 4 out, kept on same pace from 2 out, not trouble leaders, 3rd of 7, 11 1/2l behind Mercian Prince (11-10) at Kempton 2m 2f hcp (2) gd in May.
