prominent, chased leader 3rd, led between last 2, headed approaching last, outpaced run-in
keen hold in rear, mistakes 2nd and 4th, ridden and struggling before 2 out
in rear, not fluent 3rd, ridden and struggling before 2 out
took keen hold early, in touch, headway on inside to lead before last, kept on under pressure run in until headed final 50 yards
chased leader to 3rd, under pressure before 6th, soon weakened
held up in rear, hit 5th, driven and struggling approaching 2 out
keen hold, tracking leaders, close up on outside when hampered 2 out, weakened soon after
held up towards rear, smooth headway before 2 out, ridden to chase leaders when not much room and hampered bend well before last, went 2nd last, driven ahead final 50 yards
led, jumped left from 4th, driven along after 3 out, headed between last 2, soon weakened
mistake 2nd, in touch, driven to challenge between last 2, stayed on same pace
High Calibre showed ability in all three starts in bumpers and has to be respected first time out over hurdles but lack of experience for Jonjo O'Neill's gelding has to be of concern and preference is for Niver Bai, who is taken to reverse Stratford form with Thenford Flyer. The selection ran with promise in bumpers last season and gave every indication that he would come on a bundle for the run at Stratford when not knocked about behind Thenford Flyer, who may struggle under the penalty incurred for that Stratford victory. Top Ram is entitled to come on for his run at Uttoxeter last month and rates a bigger threat than Nick Gifford's reappearing Sobers, while hurdling debutant Duke of Kentford may need the run on his reappearance. That is not a problem for Niver Bai though, who is taken to benefit from his recent spin at Stratford.
Thenford Flyer (IRE) 14-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, hit 2nd, went 2nd before 6th, led after 3 out, stayed on well from 2 out, won at Stratford 2m nh nov hdl (3) sft in Oct beating Ordre de Bataille (10-12) by 2 1/2l, 12 ran.
A Sea Commander (GER) 14-1 (10-8) Held up, headway over 5f out, weakened 4f out, 6th of 12, 45l behind Chosen (10-4) at Stratford 2m mdn nhf (4) gf in Jun.
Bronze King 100-1 (11-3) Always in rear, 9th of 13, 30l behind Northaw Lad (11-3) at Chepstow 2m nh mdn hdl (4) gd in Apr.
Buckland Gold (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, headway from 8th, chased leaders 10th, weakening when fell 5 out in race won by Test of Friendship (10-11) at Plumpton 3m 2f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gs in Apr, 12 ran.
Duke of Kentford 16-1 (10-11) Prominent, led over 5f out, ridden, headed over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 11th of 20, 40l behind Grecian Groom (10-11) at Huntingdon 2m nhf (6) gf in Apr.
High Calibre (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Raced wide, held up in rear, headway on wide outside over 4f out, one pace final 2f, 5th of 18, 20l behind Imperial Commander (10-7) at Cheltenham 2m nhf (4) gs in Oct.
Not For Diamonds (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Mistake 2nd, always behind, 9th of 13, well behind Ameeq (10-8) at Wincanton 2m nov hdl (4) gf in May.
Sobers (IRE) 5-1 (10-13) Held up, headway 4 out, one pace and no impression when left 4th last, 4th of 17, 20l behind More Likely (10-4) at Ayr 2m nh mdn hdl (5) sft in Mar.
Something Cristal (FR) 20-1 (10-12) Took keen hold in mid-division, behind from 6th, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Thenford Flyer (10-12) at Stratford 2m nh nov hdl (3) sft in Oct, 12 ran.
Top Ram (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, hit 5th, led 2 out, hung left approaching last, headed near finish, 3rd of 16, 1l behind New Team (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m mdn hdl (5) sft in Oct.
Niver Bai (FR) 16-1 (10-12) Soon steadied and held up, mistake 4th, headway after 6th, stayed on to go 3rd just after 2 out, no danger, 3rd of 12, 16l behind Thenford Flyer (10-12) at Stratford 2m nh nov hdl (3) sft in Oct.
