led until 4th, led 5th, headed 8th, led again 10th, headed before 3 out, led before 2 out, clear last, stayed on
last from 2nd, not fluent 4th, jumped slowly next, went 4th 9th, ridden after 4 out, chased leading pair approaching 2 out, no impression, lost 3rd post
tracked leaders, challenged 4 out, led before 3 out, headed approaching next, stayed on same pace
held up in touch, took keen hold, last 9th, hit next, beaten 3 out
with leader, led 4th, headed next, led 8th until 10th, ridden after 4 out, stayed on same pace from 2 out, went 3rd post
Nonrunner
Finlay is sure to be popular here but Donald McCain's grey faces no easy task off a 5lb higher mark than when beaten in similar company at Newcastle earlier this month. Intac tackled better opposition after winning at Wincanton last October but has been off the track for five months while Gentleman Anshan was pulled up over C&D last time after winning a weak contest over further here last month. Platin Grounds was a decent hurdler in his prime but he's not shown a great deal in three runs over fences this season and preference is for BAY CENTRAL. Evan Williams' charge has been well beaten in his two runs over the larger obstacles but is probably capable of better over this longer trip and gets weight from all bar modest stablemate Buailteoir.
Intac (IRE) 20-1 (11-10) Chased leader until lost place 6th, never going after, reminders after 8th, struggling in rear soon after, tailed off, 6th of 10, well behind Teddy's Reflection (11-9) at Ascot 3m nov hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in Nov.
Finlay 2-1fav (11-10) Held up in touch and keen, hit 9th, headway before 4 out, led 3 out, ridden and looked in command before last, caught close home, 2nd of 7, hd behind Allanard (10-13) at Newcastle 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs.
Gentleman Anshan (IRE) 7-2 (11-0) Held up in last pair, blundered badly and lost touch 4th, no danger after, tailed off when pulled up 4 out, in a race won by Our Bomber Harris (11-0) at Hereford 2m 3f nov chs (4) gd, 5 ran.
Bay Central (IRE) 9-1 (10-12) Tracked winner, led 2nd, headed after 5th, demoted to 3rd 9th, lost touch approaching 4 out, last of 3, well behind Pepe Simo (11-4) at Ludlow 2m nov chs (3) gd.
Buailteoir (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Chased leaders until lost place and ridden 6th, behind when went badly right 4 out, tailed off in 6th and no chance when bumped and pecked last, 5th of 7, 41l behind Bertenbar (11-0) at Hereford 2m hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs in Mar.
Platin Grounds (GER) 7-1 (11-7) Held up in rear but in touch, mistake 4th, under pressure 10th, soon weakened, behind when pulled up 4 out, in a race won by Lordsbridge (11-9) at Kempton 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Mar, 6 ran.
