held up in last, fell 6th
raced keenly in touch, challenged 2 out, ridden to lead soon after last, headed near finish
held up in touch, ridden 2 out, weakened last
held up, pushed along approaching 2 out, ridden and headway approaching last, stayed on under pressure to lead near finish
led, jumped right and bumped 1st, jumped right and hit 4th, ridden and hit last, soon headed, kept on same pace
chased leader, bumped 1st, every chance 2 out, soon ridden, weakened last
Magical Thomas is on a hat-trick but upped in grade. Workbench isn’t getting any younger but won over a slightly longer distance here last year, though is still 6lb higher. A first victory over hurdles continues to elude Wind Place And Sho and Sensible Friend and the latter was beaten six lengths by Mellow Ben here last month, though he is now 7lb better off. Though beaten in a match on the Flat last time, CUBSWIN has been excellent form since early summer in general. She finished third in a Listed handicap at Market Rasen in July and the fast ground is a big plus.
Mellow Ben (IRE) 9-2 (11-5) Held up in rear, tracked leaders after 3 out, went 2nd before next, soon challenged, led before last, ridden and edged right flat, kept on, won at Fontwell 2m 3f hcp (3) gd in Sep beating Sensible Friend (10-8) by 6l, 7 ran.
Cubswin (IRE) 6-4 (9-8) Tracked sole rival, challenged 3f out, driven to lead narrowly inside final 2f, ridden and headed inside final furlong, edged right and no extra inside final 100 yards, last of 2, 1 1/4l behind Bayshore Freeway (9-2) at Bath 1m 4f hcp fll (3) fm in Jul.
Workbench (FR) 9-4fav (11-1) Held up in touch, headway tracking leaders after 4 out, went 2nd before next, upsides when blundered and nearly unseated rider last, not recover, 2nd of 7, 1 3/4l behind Jovial Joey (11-0) at Perth 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Aug.
Wind Place And Sho 7-2 (11-7) Raced keenly, tracked leaders, 2nd going well 3 out, led before next, ridden between last 2, headed approaching last, no chance with winner, lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 7, 2 1/2l behind Royal Hall (11-3) at Fontwell 2m 3f hcp (4) gd in Aug.
Magical Thomas 5-4fav (12-0) Led until 3rd, remained prominent, every chance when hit 3 out, hung left approaching and led again next, kept on well, won at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp (5) gd in Aug beating High Wells (11-11) by 2 3/4l, 8 ran.
Sensible Friend (GR) 13-2 (10-8) Tracked leaders, joined leader before 4 out, led before next, clear before 2 out until between last 2, headed before last, kept on same pace, 2nd of 7, 6l behind Mellow Ben (11-5) at Fontwell 2m 3f hcp (3) gd in Sep.
