held up in last pair, some headway and hit 4 out, plugged on into modest 4th at the last
made all, 2 lengths ahead last, ridden out, unchallenged
mistake 1st, took keen hold, chased leaders on outside, pushed along and losing place when stumbled after 4 out
tracked leaders on inside, pushed along before 3 out, soon ridden and weakened
jumped left, always towards rear, tailed off and pulled before 2 out
chased winner until after 5th, chased leaders, pecked next, ridden before 3 out, weakened next
raced wide towards rear, closer after 5th, chased leaders before 3 out, weakened next
took keen hold, chased leaders, weakened quickly before 8th, soon behind, tailed off
held up in rear, good headway on outside after 4 out, soon chased leaders, 2nd approaching 2 out, ridden between last 2, kept on same pace, no chance with winner
chased leaders, 2nd after 5th, pushed along before 3 out, lost 2nd approaching next, kept on same pace in 3rd
Crown Hill completed a double over fences in the spring on soft ground so it was a surprise to see him back over hurdles later. He's best with plenty of give which he should get here so has to be respected. Winning point-to-pointer Thomas Patrick hadn't shown much over hurdles before a better run over a much shorter trip here last time. Eddy has won three times since May, including on this track, though a 7lb rise for finishing second here last month looks harsh. QUINTO had been in poor form before a fine run over the course and distance and a repeat would see him in the firing-line so he gets the nod. Mister Drifter needs a test of stamina which he should get if the going remains on the soft side while Braw Angus has the scope to do better.
Crown Hill (IRE) 10-3 (11-1) Held up in rear, not fluent 6th, pushed along after 8th, struggling after 3 out, stayed on from 2 out, went 4th flat, never involved, 4th of 8, 19 1/4l behind Oscarteea (11-10) at Market Rasen 2m 7f hcp (3) gd in Jun.
Thomas Patrick (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Led, headed briefly when not fluent 3 out (usual 4 out), headed next (usual 3 out), kept on same pace, no chance with winner from last (usual 2 out), 2nd of 15, 11l behind Dynamite Dollars (11-4) at Exeter 2m 1f (3) sft in Nov.
All Kings (IRE) 50-1 (11-7) Mid-division, outpaced 4 out, went 4th when ridden after next, blundered last, stayed on to take 3rd flat, no impression with front pair, 3rd of 13, 5l behind This Is It (11-13) at Exeter 2m 7f hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Braw Angus 14-1 (11-8) Held up towards rear, pushed along 6th, headway after 4 out, weakened before last, 4th of 11, 15 1/4l behind Midnight Request (11-12) at Exeter 2m 7f hcp (4) gs in Oct.
Ayla's Emperor 5-1 (11-6) Mid-division, headway when mistake 4 out, not fluent and lost place 3 out, no impression after, 7th of 10, 8 3/4l behind Kentford Heiress (11-12) at Newton Abbot 2m 6f hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Mister Drifter (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) In rear, not fluent 2nd, slow next, pushed along after 7th, headway before 3 out, stayed on same pace last, 4th of 11, 4l behind Night Generation (11-12) at Huntingdon 3m 1f hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Royals And Rebels (IRE) 8-1 (12-5) Held up towards rear on outside, headway 5th, led next, not fluent 7th, headed 10th, mistake 11th, weakened before 16th, pulled up approaching 4 out, at Newton Abbot 3m 2f hcp (4) gs in Jul.
Abbeygrey (IRE) 10-1 (10-8) Towards rear, mistake 9th, behind 14th, pulled up before 18th, at Ludlow 3m 2f hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Eddy 12-1 (10-13) Held up in rear, headway on outside 6th, mid-division when blundered and unseated rider 4 out, at Exeter 2m 7f hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Quinto 16-1 (10-5) Mid-division, headway 7th, outpaced 4 out, went 3rd next, soon ridden, stayed on to chase winner flat, held towards finish, 2nd of 13, 1 3/4l behind This Is It (11-13) at Exeter 2m 7f hcp (4) sft in Nov.
