mid-division, slow jump 5th, tracked leaders home turn, headway to lead narrowly 2 out, soon faced strong challenge, ridden and headed narrowly after last, rallied and regained lead closing stages, gamely
tracked leaders, lost position before 2 out, kept on run-in and took remote 3rd
towards rear, fell 3rd
mid-division, not jump fluently, dropped away quickly after 3 out and pulled up
handy, reminders after 6th, pushed along after 3 out, weakened after 2 out
led, pushed along and headed 2 out, ridden and well held run-in
rear mid-division, headway into 4th home turn, pushed along and strongly pressed leader 2 out where not fluent, ridden and led narrowly after last, kept on, headed closing stages, no extra
held up in rear, ridden before 2 out, never involved
Seaborough arrives in good order but could have done without a further 5lb rise. It’s two years since FUGITIVES DRIFT last won over hurdles but he’s 13lb lower now and we’ll take the chance that recent wind surgery has produced the desired effect. Small Bad Bob looks a danger being back on the same mark as when winning over track and trip in February while there should be more to come this season from Abuffalosoldier and In The Air. Worcester second Winterwatch remains unexposed over timber and Carolines Charm has won over fences and hurdles here so can’t be ignored.
Flash The Steel (IRE) 14-1 (11-8) Held up towards rear, closer when switched right before 4 out, chased leaders out wide before 3 out, ridden and weakened after next, 6th of 11, 11 3/4l behind Paddys Motorbike (11-12) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp (2) gd in May.
Abuffalosoldier (IRE) 5-1 (11-7) Prominent on inside, not fluent 3rd, slow 6th, ridden and weakened after 8th, very remote 8th 3 out, 11th of 12, dist behind Rafferty's Return (11-7) at Wetherby 2m 4f (4) sft in Feb.
In The Air (FR) (0-0) 7th of 16, shd behind Ideal Du Rocher (0-0) at Laval 1m 6f pol in Oct.
Carolines Charm (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) Held up in 3rd, closed and not fluent 2 out, led last, comfortably, won at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp (4) gd in May beating Hyland (11-8) by 1 1/2l, 3 ran.
Fugitives Drift (IRE) 11-1 (11-5) Mid-division on inside, outpaced before 2 out, well held after, well beaten 8th last, 8th of 12, 34l behind Johnson's Blue (10-10) at Cartmel 2m 6f hcp (3) gd in Jul.
Small Bad Bob (IRE) 6-1 (11-6) In rear, headway when pushed along before 2 out, no extra thereafter, 3rd of 4, 4l behind Bourbali (11-11) at Plumpton 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in Apr.
Winterwatch (GER) 15-8fav (11-2) Tracked leaders, jumped left and challenged 3 out, led flat, headed towards finish, 2nd of 13, 1/2l behind Monte Igueldo (11-4) at Worcester 2m mdn (4) gs in Sep.
Seaborough (IRE) 9-2 (10-11) Raced keenly in rear, headway to track leaders 4 out, ridden before 3 out, went 2nd approaching 2 out, disputed lead last, kept on, no extra closing stages and lost 2nd close home, 3rd of 10, 1 1/4l behind Chives (12-2) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Oct.
