raced keenly, held up last, steady headway 4 out, ridden chasing leaders on outside before the last, hit last, no extra run-in
chased leader until 5th, chased leaders, outpaced 3 out, plugged on run-in
led and soon clear, came back to the field 3 out, blundered and headed next, chased winner, kept on run-in, lost 2nd near finish
raced keenly tracking leaders on inside, led 2 out, clear between last 2, awkward last, stayed on gamely under pressure run-in
last pair, ridden and weakened after 3 out
held up, pulled up quickly before 7th
chased leaders, went 2nd 5th until before 2 out, chased leaders, rallied run-in, went 2nd close home
NonRunner
Gardiners Hill alternates between hurdles and fences but remains in good form and it will be a surprise if he’s not thereabouts again. Morraman has been knocking on the door but That’s A Given probably produced a career-best last time at Fontwell and is taken to go one better. Glanvilles Guest and Strong Resemblance are others to consider but the lack of a recent run is a concern for maiden Pontresina. The handicapper has taken a real chance with BENEAGLES, dropping him a further 3lb despite a better run last time at Worcester. Lightly raced since successful off a higher mark last year, he has the added bonus of Alex Thorne’s 7lb claim in this.
Morraman (IRE) 7-1 (11-9) Held up in last pair, headway on outside after 4 out, ridden after 2 out, chased winner before last, kept on same pace, no impression when edged left flat, 2nd of 7, 4l behind One Night In Milan (11-12) at Kelso 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in Sep.
Beneagles (IRE) 6-1 (12-2) 2nd until after 1st, chased leaders, not much room 2nd, lost place 8th, closed 3 out, stayed on one pace, 3rd of 9, 16 1/4l behind Tea Time Fred (10-11) at Worcester 2m 7f hcp (3) gd in Sep.
Strong Resemblance (IRE) 11-2 (12-0) Disputed lead until led 9th, headed after 5 out, rallied next, weakened 2 out, 5th of 7, dist behind Glittering Love (11-7) at Ayr 3m hcp (4) sft in Mar.
That's A Given (FR) 6-1 (11-8) Held up, hit 4th, outpaced after 3 out, mistake 2 out, stayed on flat, went 2nd close home, no chance with winner, 2nd of 6, 8l behind Chapmanshype (11-7) at Fontwell 2m 3f hcp (3) gd in Sep.
Glanvilles Guest 3-1 (10-10) Chased front pair, mistake 8th, driven after 3 out, kept on same pace, ridden and no impression before last, 3rd of 4, 15 1/4l behind Young Wolf (11-9) at Plumpton 3m 1f hcp (3) gf in Sep.
Gardiners Hill (IRE) 7-2jfav (10-6) Held up in rear, headway 14th, 3rd and one pace before 2 out, no extra last, 3rd of 9, 9 1/2l behind Treackle Tart (11-12) at Warwick 3m 1f hcp (3) gs in Sep.
Pontresina (IRE) 8-11fav (10-12) Tracked leader, led 4th, hit 4 out, joined and pecked last, soon headed and kept on same pace run-in, 2nd of 4, 2l behind Full (11-4) at Wincanton 2m 5f (4) fm in Oct.
Sir Will (IRE) 9-1 (11-3) Led, challenged when mistake 2 out, headed soon after, no extra after last, 4th of 6, 6 1/4l behind Black Buble (10-9) at Ascot 3m hcp (3) gd in Mar.
