tracked winner, pushed along before 2 out, ridden and no impression between last 2, edged left and kept on towards stands side rail flat, always held
tracked leaders, lost place after 4 out, behind from next
made all, not fluent 6th, ridden clear between last 2, driven out, flat, stayed on well
prominent, not fluent 6th, outpaced when not fluent 3 out, well held in 4th before next
held up in touch, struggling after 4 out, weakened next, behind when pulled up before 2 out
tracked leaders, outpaced by front pair before 2 out, kept on, no danger after
held up in touch on outside, not fluent 2nd, reminder after next, struggling when not fluent 4 out, soon lost touch, tailed off
Successful in bumpers at Bangor and Fakenham earlier this year, and only beaten a length at Doncaster in between, BEFORE MIDNIGHT (NAP) can make a winning start over hurdles for Nicky Henderson’s stable, which has already built up a head of steam. Cotswold Way has already run three times over hurdles and been placed twice – it will be a surprise if he finishes out of the frame. Stylish Moment should also be prominent while Moody Maggie ran very well in a decent bumper at Cheltenham in April having finished second twice earlier and she is no forlorn hope. Cydercourt may need more time, however.
Before Midnight 8-13fav (11-7) Led and disputed until led before halfway, ridden inside final furlong, held on, all out, won at Fakenham 2m (5) gs in Apr beating Smackwater Jack (10-8) by ns, 8 ran.
Celtic Joy (IRE) 10-1 (11-4) Mid-division, headway 10f out, 3rd 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 14, 10l behind Anemoi (10-7) at Huntingdon 1m 6f (5) sft in Jan.
Cotswold Way (IRE) 50-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 2 out, went 2nd before the last, stayed on same pace run-in, no chance with easy winner, 2nd of 10, 6l behind Blu Cavalier (11-12) at Wincanton 2m 4f (4) gs in Apr.
Cydercourt (IRE) 3-1 (11-0) With winner, lost 2nd over 4f out, ridden and weakened over 3f out, 5th of 6, 36 1/2l behind Geordie B (11-0) at Hereford 2m (5) hvy in Apr.
Light Gunner (IRE) 25-1 (9-5) Towards rear, ridden and headway 2f out, never nearer, 4th of 8, 11 1/2l behind Ejayteekay (9-7) at Lingfield 1m 4f stks (6) gs in Sep.
Stylish Moment (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) Took keen hold in mid-division, headway chasing leaders approaching 3 out, kept on into modest 3rd close home, 3rd of 10, 17l behind Blu Cavalier (11-12) at Wincanton 2m 4f (4) gs in Apr.
Moody Maggie (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, driven 3f out, kept on same pace, no impression, 4th of 19, 4l behind Hawthorn Cottage (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 1f (2) gd in Apr.
