raced on inside in close 3rd, went 2nd at 5th, led before 3 out, narrowly headed before next where slight peck, 2 lengths down when not fluent last, stayed on same pace, no chance with winner
pulled hard, held up in last trio, pulled way through to track leaders 4th, slight peck 4 out, steadied in last pair and still pulling 4 out, closer before next, ridden and found nil before 2 out
led, mistake 4th, hit 6th and 4 out, headed before 3 out, weakened quickly, 5th and no chance when blundered 2 out, soon behind
bit keen tracking leader until 5th, challenged in 2nd 3 out, led narrowly before next, 2 lengths ahead and good jump last, stayed on strongly, ridden out
raced keenly, held up in touch, headway chasing leaders 4th, pushed along in 3rd before 3 out, stayed on same pace run-in
chased leaders until lost place 4th, never on terms after, tailed off before 3 out
well in rear, never a factor, tailed off
held up in last pair, pushed along and struggling in last pair after 4 out, plugged on into modest 4th close home
CROSSING THE BAR (NAP), a winner over 1m6f on the Flat when trained by Sir Michael Stoute, made a very promising start over hurdles in an above-average contest at Lingfield and normal improvement should see him get his head in front today. Course and distance winner Lydford Lad may be a better bet than the other penalised runner Dalamoi and the jumps-bred Just Loose Change could outrun bigger odds. Boston Joe is a likely improver with Bowtogreatness also worth a second look.
Dalamoi (IRE) 15-8jfav (11-4) Tracked leader, took it up on home turn, pressed from 2 out, stayed on well from last, driven out, won at Ffos Las 2m mdn (4) sft in Nov beating Port Or Starboard (11-4) by 2l, 11 ran.
Lydford Lad (IRE) 22-1 (11-4) Held up in touch, raced freely, headway going well over 3 out, led on bridle well over 2 out, ridden and edged left before last, wandered flat and soon pressed, ran on, won at Ffos Las 2m 4f mdn (4) sft in Nov beating Airtothethrone (11-4) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
Boston Joe (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) Keen raced wide, close up, ridden 3 out, weakened next, 5th of 11, dist behind Richmond Lake (11-4) at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 1f mdn (4) gs in Nov.
Bowtogreatness (IRE) 11-1 (11-4) Tracked leader, close up when fell 3 out, at Ffos Las 2m 4f mdn (4) sft in Nov.
Crossing The Bar (IRE) 14-1 (10-12) Mid-division, chased leaders before 2 out, mistake 2 out, ridden and stayed on after last, 4th of 17, 6 1/4l behind Sherborne (10-12) at Lingfield 2m (4) gs in Nov.
Just Loose Change 10-1 (11-0) Prominent, ridden and weakened 3f out, 8th of 10, 22 3/4l behind Super Duper Sam (11-0) at Newbury 2m (5) gd in Nov.
Meechlands Magic 40-1 (11-4) In rear, not fluent 1st, detached at halfway, tailed off soon after, 8th of 12, dist behind Transfer Friendly (11-4) at Ffos Las 2m 4f mdn (4) sft in Nov.
Pageant Material (IRE) 125-1 (11-4) Off the pace last pair, dropped to rear at 5th, soon lost touch and struggling, went remote 4th run-in, 4th of 6, 19l behind Cup Of Coffee (11-4) at Ludlow 2m mdn (4) gd in Nov.
