towards rear, went 4th from 2 out, plugged on to take 3rd run-in, no impression
chased leaders, weakened before 2 out, pulled up before last
made all, clear after 2 out, easily
chased leaders, chased winner from 3 out until before last, soon weakened
mid-division in 5th, chased clear pair from 2 out, chased winner before last, no impression
held up towards rear, weakened from 6th
DEEP RESOLVE faded in the closing stages of his hurdling debut at Musselburgh but showed enough to suggest he can figure if handling the testing ground. The last comment also applies to Sirpertan, fourth at Wetherby last month. Cape Arrow has been competing in better company than this over timber and Bentons Lad may prove best of those arriving from the Flat. Cooking Fat made little impression in a bumper last time but may do better here.
Bentons Lad 12-1 (8-2) Held up mid-division, ridden over 2f out, no impression over 1f out, 8th of 12, 9l behind Trendsetter (9-7) at Redcar 1m 6f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Oct (flat).
Cape Arrow 50-1 (10-12) Held up in rear and in touch until reminders after 4 out and lost place, last of 4, well behind Starchitect (11-4) at Aintree 2m 1f 3yo hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Cooking Fat 33-1 (10-2) Held up in rear, pushed along 6f out, headway 4f out, no extra final 2f, 6th of 10, 23l behind Another Bill (11-9) at Ayr 1m 6f mdn nat hunt flat (6) gs.
Deep Resolve (IRE) 9-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, took keen hold, headway after 6th, went 4th 2 out, no impression on leaders, no extra last, 4th of 9, 19l behind El Beau (10-12) at Musselburgh 2m 3yo hdl (4) gd.
Sirpertan 22-1 (10-9) Towards rear, not always fluent, headway after 6th, ridden 3 out, 4th and one pace last, 4th of 12, 12l behind Relentless Pursuit (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 3yo mdn hdl (5) gd in Oct.
Hatton Springs (IRE) 50-1 (9-0) With leaders until lost place 3f out, last of 15, 33l behind Millkwood (9-7) at Redcar 7f mdn stks (5) gd in Oct (flat).
Magic Shoes (IRE) 50-1 (9-2) Mid-division, weakened over 2f out, last of 8, 31l behind Quest Of Colour (9-4) at Hamilton 1m 1f 3yo hcp 0-60 (6) gs in Sep (flat).
Strategic Island (IRE) 100-1 (10-0) In rear, not fluent 1st, tailed off from 4th, soon pulled up, in a race won by L'aigle Royal (11-5) at Sedgefield 2m 1f 3yo hdl (4) gd in Oct, 6 ran.