led, hit 4th, headed approaching 6th, weakened after 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
tracked leader, led approaching 6th, ridden approaching last, driven out
held up, pushed along to chase leaders 4 out, went 3rd after 3 out until weakened approaching 2 out
held up, not fluent 2nd, pushed along after 5th, soon struggling
held up and keen, in touch from 3rd, went 2nd and going well after 3 out, not fluent 2 out, ridden approaching last not quicken
tracked leaders fell 3rd
held up, in touch, outpaced from 5th, kept on between last 2 no impression
tracked leaders, weakened after 3 out
Nonrunner
THERE'S NO PANIC won his bumper here and may be able to maintain his perfect course record by getting the better of Lady De La Vega and Horseshoe Reef. Paul Nicholls's strike rate at the track is better than one in three and, although backing all of his runners wouldn't have returned a profit, supporting this fellow should. He only won his bumper narrowly but the winner has won his last three starts over hurdles and looks above average and There's No Panic should be up to this task. Lady De La Vega was well held in a bumper on her racecourse bow but it would be no surprise to see this former pointer fare better now faced with obstacles. Horseshoe Reef was an average handicapper who was pitched in at the deep end for his debut over obstacles at Chepstow last weekend. This is eminently easier and he's of keen interest. Blacktoft has won two of his last three starts over obstacles but could begin to struggle as some of the larger stables begin to unleash their talent. He's closely matched with Consulate on the figures but they could struggle to cope with the newcomer to the ranks, There's No Panic.
Blacktoft (USA) 8-1 (11-5) Made all, clear until approaching 5th, pushed out, won at Hexham 2m nh nov hdl (4) gf beating Nocturnal Knight (10-12) by 7l, 5 ran.
Consulate (IRE) 11-2 (11-5) Tracked leader, effort approaching 3 out, never able to challenge, 2nd of 11, 10l behind Lady Hillingdon (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Sep.
Birthday Star (IRE) 33-1 (8-10) Mid-division, pushed along 3f out, soon dropped towards rear, no danger after, 8th of 12, 9l behind Prairie Hawk (8-2) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcp (6) pol in Dec (flat).
Flash of Fire (USA) 100-1 (10-12) Mistakes in rear, driven along after 4th, soon struggling, tailed off when pulled up approaching 2 out, in a race won by Optimus Maximus (10-12) at Newbury 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) sft in Jan, 10 ran.
Mister Matt (IRE) 33-1 (11-12) Always prominent, moderate 3rd from 5 out, bad mistake 3 out, ridden to dispute moderate 2nd before straight, no impression inside final furlong, 4th of 18, 8l behind Whatever Next (11-12) at Galway 2m 6f beg chase sft in Jul.
There's No Panic (IRE) 9-4 (10-7) Close up, tracked leading pair going well over 5f out, went 2nd 3f out, led over 1f out, swerved right entering final furlong, kept on under pressure, won at Fontwell 2m 2f NH flat (6) gd in Apr beating High Gales (11-11) by 3/4l, 9 ran.
Dawn Till Dusk (IRE) 11-2 (10-7) Chased leader, ridden and every chance over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 12, 17l behind Mayberry (10-7) at Fontwell 1m 6f NH flat (6) gf.
Lady De La Vega (FR) 7-1 (10-4) Held up in touch, weakened 3f out, 4th of 10, 24l behind Fiveways (11-9) at Bangor 2m 1f NH flat (6) gd in Sep.
Silver Surprise 66-1 (9-4) Hampered start, tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, soon lost place, weakened and eased over 1f out, last of 12, 36l behind Trempari (9-9) at Lingfield 2m hcp 0-65 (6) gf in Sep (flat).
Dinarius 10-3 (10-10) Raced keenly, mid-division, headway and in touch 3rd, ridden and outpaced 2 out, disputing 4th and held when fell last, in a race won by War Party (10-12) at Worcester 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Aug, 10 ran.
Horseshoe Reef (AUS) 16-1 (10-12) Chased leader to 3 out, weakened after next, 5th of 16, 16l behind Tito Bustillo (10-12) at Chepstow 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd.