tracked leaders, 2nd 10th, led approaching 4 out, ridden before last, hung right flat, stayed on well, driven out
chased leader until 10th, weakened rapidly, soon behind, tailed off
towards rear, some headway 5 out, ridden and weakened before next
mid-division, headway tracking leaders in 3rd before 5 out, went 2nd next, about 1 length down when stumbled last, kept on same pace
held up, headway tracking leaders 12th, modest 4th 3 out, went 3rd flat
jumped right in rear, never involved, tailed off when pulled up 12th
in touch in mid-division, headway tracking leaders 12th, ridden before 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before last
chasing leaders when fell 5th
mid-division, headway approaching 5 out, ridden in 3rd before 3 out, dropped to 4th flat
led until approaching 4 out, lost 2nd 4 out, weakened approaching next, tailed off
Several promising novices face the start in this with last year's successful stable represented by the hat-trick seeking Mortlestown. Derrintogher Bliss had useful form over hurdles last season but has always looked a chasing type. February's Sandown winner Ivy Gate is another while Mac Bertie is consistent and more experienced than most. Kilmurvy made a winning debut over the larger obstacles at Uttoxeter in May, though that form hasn't worked out. It took Volcanic 14 attempts to get off the mark but Set List made an immediate impact at Worcester, warming to his task in the closing stages suggesting he'd appreciate this step up in distance. BALLYKAN has to defy top weight but jumped really well when winning at Uttoxeter three weeks ago and looks a useful recruit.
Ballykan 3-1fav (11-7) Tracked leader, not fluent 12th, led 4 out, ridden clear flat, won at Uttoxeter 3m (4) gd in Sep beating Shantou Tiger (11-7) by 7l, 6 ran.
Volcanic (FR) Evensfav (11-7) With leader, led after 2nd, blundered 3 out, ridden run-in, kept on well, won at Cartmel 2m 5f (4) gs in Aug beating Silk Hall (11-7) by 8l, 6 ran.
Set List (IRE) 10-3fav (11-11) Chased leaders, lost place 7th, headway before 4 out, challenged 3 out, led before next, clear from last, stayed on well, won at Worcester 2m 4f hcp (4) gf in Sep beating Mr Mafia (10-9) by 6l, 7 ran.
Derrintogher Bliss (IRE) 8-1 (10-10) Tracked leaders, not fluent 4 out, ridden after 2 out, kept on same pace, 5th of 10, 3 1/4l behind Milansbar (11-12) at Kelso 3m 3f hcp (2) gs in Mar.
Kilmurvy (IRE) 4-1fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, outpaced after 12th, rallied after 3 out, led flat, stayed on well, won at Uttoxeter 3m hcp (4) gd in May beating He's A Bully (11-1) by 3l, 6 ran.
Commitment 6-1 (10-13) Towards rear, pushed along and struggling in rear after 9th, never involved, 7th of 11, 26l behind Gray Hession (11-7) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp (2) gf in Aug.
Mortlestown (IRE) 5-2fav (11-7) Tracked leaders, led 7th, pressed from 4 out, kept on gamely, held on well towards finish, won at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Jul beating River Purple (11-6) by 1l, 8 ran.
Ivy Gate (IRE) 3-1fav (11-4) Chased leaders, not fluent 3 out, outpaced before next, rallied and left about 8 lengths 2nd when hampered last, stayed on well, led towards finish, won at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Feb beating Grove Silver (11-12) by 1l, 10 ran.
Flying Eagle (IRE) 9-2fav (11-9) Mid-division, headway approaching 9th, ridden and weakened after 3 out, 11th of 12, 29l behind Wicked Spice (11-12) at Ayr 3m hcp (3) gd in Apr.
Mac Bertie 15-8fav (11-2) Led, headed after 2 out, soon ridden, no impression before last, 2nd of 6, 2 1/2l behind Cusheen Bridge (11-12) at Southwell 2m hcp (4) gd in Aug.
