held up, hit 1st, headway 3 out, mid-division when hampered last, kept on
always behind, pulled up 2 out
behind, hit 5th, headway after 4 out, chased leaders next, every chance 2 out, stayed on
tracked leaders, led after 3 out, headed next, fell last
held up, headway and not fluent last, stayed on flat, never nearer
prominent until weakened 4 out
mid-division, headway after 4 out, stayed next, soon beaten
in touch until weakened approaching 3 out
in touch, chased leaders 3 out, led 2 out, jumped right last, hung left flat, all out
held up, never dangerous
held up, headway 2 out, never on terms
in touch, ridden and weakened 4 out
led until headed after 3 out, soon weakened
In a very competitive finale, Wot Way Chief gets the vote ahead of Into The Shadows and Mikado Melody. There was plenty to like about the way the selection won at Market Rasen last time out, and whilst this is a better race, the selection could battle his way to another victory. Into The Shadows and Mikado Melody both have doubts over their stamina but the forecast ground should ensure that this isn't too stamina sapping and so have claims if reproducing recent runs. The last-named ran well when winning at Wincanton, and as one of the less exposed horses in the race can be expected to improve further on that run. Into The Shadows has held better company than this previously but has found things happening too quickly and therefore this step up in trip could be seen as a bonus. His trainer Keith Reveley has a fine record with his hurdlers at the course and his mare should go well. Of the rest Alan King's Berengario must overcome a long absence is he is to oblige, although this may be more of a pipe-opener for a season of chasing, as might be the case for Venetia Williams' Magico. Graham Lee's mount Wot Way Chief appears to have ticks in all the right boxes and therefore he gets tentative nod to follow up his recent Market Rasen win.
Rosecliff 9-4 (11-2) Always prominent, went 2nd 3 out, ridden after 2 out, stayed on same pace, 4th of 11, 7l behind Tech Eagle (11-7) at Worcester 2m nov hdl (4) gf in Apr.
Kilgowan (IRE) 10-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders and keen, in 4th when fell 5 out in race won by Bob Justice (11-12) at Aintree 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in May, 10 ran.
Into The Shadows 5-2fav (11-4) Tracked leader, ridden 2 out, one pace from last, 4th of 13, 9l behind Iffy (11-2) at Aintree 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Oct.
Salut Saint Cloud 6-1 (11-6) Always towards rear, 7th of 11, 22l behind Dusky Lord (11-2) at Sandown 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd.
Catchthebug (IRE) 25-1 (10-7) In touch, lost place 6th and soon pulled up in race won by Rushneeyriver (10-8) at N Abbot 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gs in Aug, 16 ran.
Mikado Melody (IRE) 7-1 (11-6) Held up in touch, headway ridden and led approaching 2 out, hard ridden from last, kept on gamely, won at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Oct beating Mohawk Star (11-5) by 3 1/2l, 6 ran.
Almizan (IRE) 6-1 (11-9) Mid-division, headway 7th, blundered 3 out, led last, driven out, won at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd beating Madiba (11-12) by 2 1/2l, 13 ran.
Rojabaa 25-1 (10-2) Held up in touch, ridden after 4 out, soon weakened, 8th of 12, 24l behind Papini (11-6) at Haydock 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd.
Berengario (IRE) 20-1 (11-5) Towards rear, headway after 7th, ridden after 4 out, every chance 3 out, ran on but not reach winner, 2nd of 13, 1 1/2l behind Free Gift (11-5) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp chs 0-110 (E) gd in Dec.
Sir Night (IRE) 50-1 (11-2) Led, ridden and headed 2 out, weakening when jumped left last, 4th of 12, 13l behind Bonchester Bridge (10-1) at Huntingdon 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf.
Wot Way Chief 5-2fav (10-5) Mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, ridden approaching last, led flat, driven out, won at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd beating Ellway Prospect (10-11) by 1l, 14 ran.
Captain Smoothy 66-1 (10-12) In touch, ridden to chase winner 2 out, kept on flat, 2nd of 12, 2l behind Bajan Sunshine (10-12) at Fakenham 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Magico (NZ) 9-2 (11-7) Led early, prominent, led briefly 7th, chased winner in vain from 2 out, 2nd of 8, 4l behind Terre De Java (11-1) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Apr.
