tracked leaders in 4th, outpaced when hit 2 out (usual 3 out), kept on same pace, never on terms
hampered and fell 1st
made virtually all, driven and hard pressed before last (usual 2 out), ridden and stayed on under pressure on long run-in, just held on
went left 1st, mistake next, held up in last trio, struggling 11th, lost touch and pulled up before 14th
tracked winner to after 9th, in touch, pecked 12th, lost place next, soon behind, lost touch 15th, soon pulled up
held up in last trio, headway 12th, outpaced after 2 out (usual 3 out), ridden and kept on under pressure on long run-in, no impression
tracked leaders, went 2nd after 9th, challenged before last (usual 2 out), kept on and every chance approaching omitted last, no extra final 150 yards
held up in last trio, headway 14th, chased leading pair approaching last (usual 2 out), challenged approaching omitted last, kept on and every chance flat, just held
held up in 5th, chased leaders under pressure after 2 out (usuaul 3 out), ridden and weakened next
hampered badly and fell 1st
GLEBEHALL BAY appeared to win with plenty in hand over 3m2f at Hereford last month. He's clearly improved over the summer and is fancied to defy his penalty in this. Another who appears to be finding some form is Eliades Run, who could make his presence felt off bottom weight, but Master Darcey was all out to win a modest three-runner race at Folkestone last month and Only Witness has shown nothing over fences so far. Inga Bird makes his debut over the larger obstacles, as does Lady Karinga, but both could figure if taking to fences.
This Masquerade 66-1 (11-5) Prominent, ridden and close 3rd after 3 out, 4th and one pace from next, 4th of 16, 12l behind Cucumber Run (11-5) at Huntingdon 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Lady Karinga 11-2fav (10-8) Held up towards rear on inside, steady headway approaching 4 out, went 3rd approaching 2 out, soon ridden and one pace, weakened to 4th approaching last, 4th of 11, 22l behind Emmaslegend (10-11) at Ascot 2m 6f mares hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Nov.
Inga Bird 13-2 (11-2) In touch, outpaced 7th, stayed on from 2 out, went 2nd at last, kept on, 2nd of 11, 15l behind Tap Night (11-12) at Carlisle 2m 3f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Nov.
Master Darcy 16-1 (11-2) Sometimes jumped left, held up, left 2nd 3rd, challenged on inside after 3 out, driven to lead last, headed towards finish, rallied to lead last stride, won at Folkestone 2m 5f beg chs (5) gf in Nov beating Canni Thinkaar (10-11) by hd, 3 ran.
Traffic Chaos (IRE) 11-1 (11-7) Led until 3rd, tracked leaders, lost ground 12th, ridden 14th, weakened 3 out, 5th of 7, well behind Rossbrin (10-12) at Huntingdon 3m nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Nov.
Glens Boy (IRE) 40-1 (10-12) Behind, stayed on from 2 out, never going pace to threaten, 8th of 16, 30l behind Buck Magic (10-7) at Wincanton 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Nov '10.
Glebehall Bay (IRE) 4-1fav (11-11) Tracked leaders on inner, went 3rd travelling well before 14th, went 2nd before 3 out, led soon after next, came clear before last, easily, won at Hereford 3m 1f nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs in Nov beating Pensnett Bay (11-2) by 13l, 11 ran.
Only Witness (IRE) 12-1 (11-3) Slowly 1st, soon behind, jumped very big next and stumbled on landing, struggled on until pulled up 3 out, in a race won by Rossbrin (10-12) at Huntingdon 3m nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Nov, 7 ran.
Cloudy Wager 7-1 (10-10) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 3rd until 6th, weakened after 3 out, 6th of 9, well behind Tara Rose (11-3) at Plumpton 2m 5f mrs nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Eliades Run (IRE) 13-2 (11-1) Held up, closed on outside 10th, kept on same pace from 2 out, 5th of 7, 6l behind Timpo (11-10) at Towcester 3m hcp 0-100 (5) gd in Nov.