tracked leader until 4th, not fluent 6th, closed going well 4 out, not fluent next, soon ridden, close 3rd when left 2nd last, no impression on winner flat
held up in touch, not fluent 3rd, last 5th, closed and went 4th before 4 out, no impression on leaders, no extra from next, left 3rd last
made all, ridden and strongly pressed when left 1 length clear last, stayed on
held up in touch in rear, took keen hold, closed 11th, weakened before 4 out
held up in touch in rear, pushed along after 8th, last after 11th, soon lost touch
tracked leaders, went 2nd 4th, shaken up to challenge and looked big danger when fell last
Withdrawn
Melodic Rendezvous was a very useful hurdler and made a winning start over fences at Bangor in December, despite looking in need of the experience. He should have more to offer but this is no straightforward task as Southfield Theatre has won and been placed in Grade 2 events in his last two starts and has yet to run a bad race under Rules. Val De Law won over hurdles in France a year ago but is having his first start here for Jamie Snowden. SMART FREDDY (NAP) was possibly a lucky winner at Doncaster in December but there was no fluke about his latest victory on Town Moor as he jumped well and quickened in the style of a useful sort in winning by 18 lengths. He's still largely unexposed and can complete the hat-trick.
Melodic Rendezvous 4-11fav (10-13) Held up mainly in 3rd, went 2nd 3 out, driven and effort next, upsides last, ridden and kept on under pressure flat, led narrowly final strides, won at Bangor 2m 1f nov chs (4) hvy in Dec beating Boondooma (10-13) by 1/2l, 4 ran.
Smart Freddy 9-2 (11-3) Tracked leaders, joined leader 13th, led narrowly 4 out, driven 2 out, narrow advantage when left well clear last, unchallenged flat, won at Doncaster 3m nov chs (4) sft in Jan beating Audacious Plan (11-0) by 18l, 5 ran.
Southfield Theatre (IRE) 4-11fav (11-9) Tracked winner, hit 7th, not fluent 11th, pushed along after 4 out, driven and no impression before last, held when blundered last, kept on run-in, always held, 2nd of 3, 1 1/4l behind Carraig Mor (11-2) at Newbury 3m nov chs Grade 2 (1) sft in Nov.
Laflammedeglorie 9-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders, ridden after 2 out (usual 3 out), kept on same pace approaching last, no impression flat, 7th of 13, 12l behind Decimus (11-11) at Newton Abbot 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Mar '13.
Upton Wood 8-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, ridden after 8th, lost place from next, well beaten 2 out, 7th of 10, 31l behind Polamco (11-11) at Wincanton 2m 6f nov hcp hdl (0-115) (4) gd in Dec.
Val De Law (FR) 4-1 (10-5) won at Pau(FR) 2m 1f 5yo hdl hvy in Jan '14 beating Joropo (10-10) by nk, 18 ran.
Sarenice (FR) 10-1 (11-9) Raced widest of all, chased leaders, challenged 3 out, led well before next, driven and edged left flat, stayed on under pressure, won at Taunton 2m 1f hcp hdl (3yo+) (5) hvy in Dec '13 beating Dalrymple (11-2) by 1 1/2l, 13 ran.
