made most, drew clear run in
mid-division, pushed along 3 out, soon ridden and no impression
towards rear, outpaced 4 out, kept on one pace from 2 out
held up in rear, headway 3 out, soon ridden and no impression
held up in rear, brought down 4 out
held up in touch, lost action and pulled up before 4 out
in touch, pushed along 3 out, ridden to chase winner approaching last, no chance
close up, led 3rd to 4th, ridden approaching 2 out, one pace approaching last
mid-division, pushed along 3 out, ridden and no impression from next
towards rear, never dangerous
tracked leaders, pushed along 4 out, ridden next, 5th and beaten when fell last
An open looking contest that can be taken by Rehearsal, with Skiddaw Jones, Top Style, Sir Night and Talarive also for the short list. Rehearsal is rated in the 90s on the level and if the ground remains decent then he should have too much speed for this lot, provided his jumping holds up. Already experienced over timber, he should progress and can take this. Skiddaw Jones has form with Crathorne, who has been winning of late, and that entitles him to respect here, though on the balance of his form he should not be good enough to win. Top Style goes on any ground and his defeat of one of today's opponents, Rising Generation, at Perth last time, marks him out as a leading contender here. Both Sir Night and Talarive also have things to recommend them, with Sir Night winning first time out at Huntingdon recently - though that may have been the time to catch him - and Talarive good enough to score twice in the spring, and coming here on the back of a decent reappearance effort at Perth. Both should go very well, but they'll have to find a bit with our selection, who is Rehearsal.
Rehearsal 9-4fav (11-3) Held up in mid-division, headway after 4 out, weakened next, 4th of 8, 15l behind Admiral (11-6) at Ayr 2m 4yo nov hdl (B) gd in Apr.
Rising Generation (FR) 5-1 (11-12) Led, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, one pace after, 2nd of 7, 9l behind Top Style (10-4) at Perth 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (D) gs in Sept.
Top Style (IRE) 3-1fav (10-4) Held up, ridden 3 out, headway to lead 2 out, ran on well from last, won at Perth 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (D) gs in Sept beating Rising Generation (11-12) by 9l, 7 ran.
Talarive (USA) 7-2 (10-11) Chased leader, led briefly 5th, ridden after 3 out, outpaced, kept on from last, chased winner flat, no impression, 2nd of 7, 3 1/2l behind Dalida (10-7) at Perth 2m clm hdl (F) gd in Sept.
Magico (NZ) 6-1 (11-5) Behind, hampered 4 out, kept on approaching last, never dangerous, 5th of 9, 16l behind Icy Prospect (11-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 5f hcp chs 0-105 (E) gd.
Bargain Hunt (IRE) 7-1 (10-3) Held up in rear, headway approaching 2 out, ran on well near finish, no chance with winner, 2nd of 10, 7l behind Lofty Leader (10-9) at Carlisle 2m 1f cnd hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gf.
Sir Night (IRE) 12-1 (10-5) Tracked leaders, ridden 2 out, led after last, held on well, won at Kelso 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gf beating Gone Too Far (11-12) by a nk, 10 ran.
Skiddaw Jones 9-1 (10-9) In touch, ridden approaching 2f out, went 2nd approaching last, kept on same pace, 2nd of 9, 2 1/2l behind Crathorne (11-5) at Hexham 2m nov hdl (E) gf in Sept.
