held up in rear, hit 2nd, not always fluent after, mistake 12th and next, soon struggling, beaten when pulled up after 2 out
held up in touch, tracked leaders 4 out, outpaced 2 out, plugged on to take modest 3rd after last, no chance with front pair
tracked front pair, reminder after 9th, lost place after 5 out, behind when fell 3 out
made most, driven clear after 2 out, ridden out flat, stayed on well
with winner, driven before 2 out, no impression with front pair between last 2, weakened and lost modest 3rd after last
tracked leaders, driven into 2nd after 2 out, soon ridden, hit last, kept on same pace, no chance with winner
OSCAR CEREMONY has the best recent form by some margin. He scored over course and distance a fortnight ago on only his second outing over fences and Stef Keniry’s charge should go close again despite a 5lb rise. Emirat De Catana looked beaten in second when falling at the last here on his return while Stoney Rover finished a well beaten fourth at Hexham on his chasing bow. Caventara looks no nearer to winning over fences while Indian Brave was pulled-up on his chasing bow and Choix Des Armes debuts over the larger obstacles.
Choix Des Armes (FR) 50-1 (11-7) Mid-division, weakened 4 out, 12th of 16, dist behind Native Fighter (10-11) at Carlisle 2m 1f hcp (3) gs in Oct.
Indian Brave (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Always towards rear, hampered 11th, well beaten 4 out, pulled up before last, at Exeter 3m hcp (3) sft in Mar.
Stoney Rover (IRE) 17-2 (11-9) Held up towards rear, slow 3rd and 7th, not much room when blundered 4 out, well beaten after, remote 4th latter stages, 4th of 9, 27 3/4l behind Weakfield (11-12) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Oct.
Caventara 15-2 (11-4) Mid-division, closer when brought down 15th (water), at Hexham 4m hcp (4) hvy in Mar.
Emirat De Catana (FR) 6-1 (10-10) Led, not fluent 13th, headed 4 out, no impression after 2 out, still 2nd but winner clear when fell last, at Kelso 2m 7f hcp (4) sft in Oct.
Oscar Ceremony (IRE) 9-2 (11-3) Held up in touch, headway 11th, chased leaders next, led 2 out, mistake last, stayed on well, won at Kelso 2m 7f hcp (4) gs in Oct beating Prince Dundee (11-12) by 4l, 9 ran.