took keen hold, tracked leader, not fluent 6th, ridden and lost 2nd approaching 3 out, weakened before next
jumped right at times, led, ridden when not fluent 2 out, soon headed, no extra when blundered last, lost 2nd flat
tracked leaders, lost place when jumped slowly 5th, behind 7th, pulled up after
held up, headway 4th, went 2nd approaching 3 out, challenged next, soon led, clear last, stayed on well, comfortably
held up, ridden when not fluent 6th, soon behind, pulled up before 8th
tracked leaders, ridden and outpaced by leaders approaching 9th, stayed on same pace from 3 out, went 2nd flat, no chance with winner
in touch on outside until 5th, behind 7th, tailed off
held up, not fluent 5th, driven in 5th after 7th, behind from next, tailed off
held up, not fluent 1st, ridden after 5th, behind 7th, pulled up after
A couple of recent winners look likely to fight this one out. Soudain hosed up in a maiden hurdle at Hexham earlier this month and should make another bold bid over this longer trip as he stays all day, but BIG OCCASION may have a touch more class. A decent handicapper on the Flat for Ballydoyle, he scored at Chepstow on his first start over timber and there should be plenty more to come from David Pipe's gelding. Winds And Waves disappointed last time after a promising debut third at Towcester, though he's still preferred to Godsmejudge and Hunters Lodge.
Big Occasion (IRE) 11-2 (10-12) Always prominent, led approaching when not fluent 2 out, soon strongly challenged, forged clear after last, ridden out, won at Chepstow 3m nh nov hdl (4) hvy beating Ruben Cotter (10-12) by 2 3/4l, 10 ran.
Soudain (FR) Evensfav (11-0) Tracked leader, led after 4th, made rest and soon well clear, unchallenged when blundered last, eased towards finish, won at Hexham 3m mdn hdl (5) hvy beating Overafrica (11-0) by 26l, 7 ran.
Colin's Desire 100-1 (10-12) Soon tracking leaders, weakened 5 out, 8th of 14, well behind Imperial Circus (10-12) at Taunton 3m nh nov hdl (4) gd.
Godsmejudge (IRE) 15-2 (10-12) Took keen hold, tracked leaders on inside, chased winner 3rd until 4 out, weakened before 2 out, 5th of 10, 24l behind Gullinbursti (11-5) at Hereford 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Golden King (IRE) 200-1 (10-12) Held up, last after 2nd, behind before 7th, pulled up after, in a race won by Foxbridge (10-12) at Ludlow 2m 5f NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) gd in Nov, 7 ran.
Hunters Lodge (IRE) 13-8fav (11-0) Tracked leader, pushed along after 4 out, ridden and weakened before 3 out, 5th of 11, 35l behind Makethe Mostofnow (11-0) at Ffos Las 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) sft in Nov.
Indian River (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Jumped right, led, headed 8th, weakened next, 6th of 7, well behind Cotton Mill (11-0) at Fakenham 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gd.
Winds And Waves (IRE) 20-1 (10-9) Mid-division, headway after 6th, lost place approaching 9th, 10th of 17, 31l behind Themilanhorse (11-0) at Warwick 2m 5f mdn hdl (4) gd.
Willow The Rose 80-1 (9-12) Held up in touch, reminders 5th, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, last of 5, 44l behind Speed Master (11-5) at Leicester 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Rich Buddy 50-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, hampered 6th, some headway approaching last, no impression, weakened flat, 8th of 17, 19l behind Themilanhorse (11-0) at Warwick 2m 5f mdn hdl (4) gd.
