held up in touch, went 3rd before 6th, challenged from 3 out, every chance last, kept on run-in, always held
in rear, headway 5 out, riddedn before 3 out, went 3rd before 2 out, weakened run-in and lost 2 places
towards rear, in rear and weakened from 6 out
led, ridden before 2 out, held on well
tracked leader, outpaced before 3 out, kept on to take 3rd towards finish, no impression
tracked leaders in 3rd, pushed along before 4 out, soon outpaced, kept on to take 4th place towards finish, no impression
Shocks are common in this and At Fishers Cross has become very unreliable. He's the class act and still has the World Hurdle on his agenda but his jumping remains sketchy and it's almost two years since he last got his head in front. Seeyouatmidnight won this 12 months ago but has only had one run since and is conceding a lot of weight to his rivals. MILANSBAR has returned from injury in terrific form and, after a couple of wins in lesser company at Uttoxeter, came close to conceding 7lb to Barafundle here last month. He loves the mud and makes more appeal than the mare Land Of Vic, though she's been back to her best lately. Closing Ceremony is a progressive young stayer but has the lowest rating of these.
Seeyouatmidnight 7-2fav (11-4) Prominent, not fluent 9th or 4 out, close up when hit 2 out, 3rd and no extra last, 3rd of 18, 29l behind Beat That (11-4) at Aintree 3m nov hdl Grade 1 (1) gs in Apr.
At Fishers Cross (IRE) 7-2fav (11-10) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, not fluent 8th, jumped right 4 out and 3 out, mistake 2 out, no impression straight and moderate 4th last, kept on one pace, 4th of 8, 7l behind Lieutenant Colonel (11-10) at Leopardstown 3m hdl G1 (1) sft in Dec.
Barafundle (IRE) 2-1fav (11-5) Chased leaders on outer, led 4 out, headed before 3 out, led after 2 out, driven out, won at Haydock 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (3) hvy in Jan beating Milansbar (11-12) by 1l, 8 ran.
Closing Ceremony (IRE) 6-1 (11-10) Led until after 3 out, soon outpaced by winner, closed last, no impression, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 11, 4l behind Join The Clan (10-2) at Warwick 3m 2f hcp hdl (2) sft in Jan.
Milansbar (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) Led, headed after 3rd, kept on well to take 2nd run-in, 2nd of 8, 1l behind Barafundle (11-5) at Haydock 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (3) hvy in Jan.
Land Of Vic 11-2 (11-0) Chased leader until dropped to 3rd after 6th, already lost place when mistake 8th, well outpaced in last pair when mistake 4 out, stayed on again from 2 out, went 3rd at the last, kept on well run-in, 3rd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Bitofapuzzle (11-0) at Ascot 3m hdl G2 (1) sft in Jan.
