in touch, headway to 3rd at 13th, chased clear winner 3 out, plugged on
led, slow and headed 2nd, chased winner until 3 out, soon weakened
close up, slow 2nd, ridden 15th, plugged on
led 2nd, made rest, clear from 10th out, hit last, comfortable
in rear, behind from 14th, pulled up before 2 out
keen tracked leaders until 13th, lost place 15th, weakened 17th
held up, dropped to rear 10th, behind from 16th
Alan King must be wondering what he has to do to get a race out of Suburban Bay but this is another big chance for his charge, who has only found one too good at Kempton and Bangor recently. LONG WAVE was found wanting when favourite at Southwell last time but this is an easier course and an easier grade and he may last longer today. Charlie Longsdon's six-year-old is preferred to Riddlestown, who was beaten when falling at Fakenham last month. Divine Folly has won a bumper and a hurdle but makes his chasing bow here.
Riddlestown (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Close up, tracked leaders 12th, ridden and 4th when fell 3 out, in a race won by Midnight Charmer (10-3) at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp 0-100 (5) gd in Oct, 7 ran.
Long Wave (IRE) 15-8fav (11-9) Led, mistake 10th, headed 13th, chased leaders, ridden in 3rd and stayed on same pace after 4 out, 3rd of 7, 19l behind Shockingtimes (11-11) at Southwell 3m nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Oct.
Tickatack (IRE) 9-2 (11-4) Not fluent 1st, chased leaders, ridden and weakened after 4 out, tailed off, 5th of 7, 50l behind Shockingtimes (11-11) at Southwell 3m nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Oct.
Suburban Bay 4-1 (11-0) Took keen hold early, tracked leaders, went 2nd 4th, blundered 4 out, led briefly before byassing omitted 2 out, chased winner after, readily held and no chance before last, 2nd of 11, 9l behind Firm Order (11-12) at Kempton 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Oct.
Ballyhilty Bridge 8-1 (11-5) Held up in touch, mistake 12th, went 3rd when blundered and unseated rider 15th, in a race won by Standing Ovation (11-6) at Wincanton 3m 1f nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Oct, 7 ran.
Barton Gift 7-2 (11-2) Mid-division, headway 6th, ridden to challenge 4 out, stayed on well, never reached winner, 2nd of 10, 4 1/2l behind Well Mett (12-0) at Bangor 3m hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gd in May.
Divine Folly (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Prominent, ridden after 9th, lost place approaching 2 out, tailed off, 11th of 15, well behind Royal Peak (11-10) at Worcester 2m 7f nov hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Aug.