tracked leaders, stumbled 13th, soon lost place
not fluent, held up, mistakes 1st and next, headway approaching 8th, not fluent and lost place 11th, headway again 13th, chased leaders 4 out, every chance when pushed left and bumped 3 out, ridden in 3rd before next, weakened before last
led until 4 out, weakening and behind when blundered 3 out, pulled up before next
held up, blundered and unseated rider 1st
chased leaders, blundered and almost unseated rider 6th, reminders after 11th, blundered unseated rider then fell 12th
took keen hold, held up, steady headway on inside after 9th, mistake next, slightly hampered 13th, 2nd after 3 out, driven along betwen last two, 1 length down and left with chance as leader went left last, led narrowly final 100 yards, all out
mistake 1st, tracked leaders, 2nd 4 out, led before went badly left and stumbled 3 out, went left again next, driven and 1 length ahead when went left again last, narrowly headed 100 yards out, rallied gamely, just failed
held up and behind, pushed along before 14th, headway into 5th before 3 out, mistake 3 out, plugged on into modest 4th before next
chased leader, mistake 13th, led 4 out, already headed but still every chance 3 out, ridden and weakened before next
Masters Hill's career under Rules has been a bit stop-start but he would have a big chance here at the weights on his best form. Al Alfa arrives off the back of a brave win at Cheltenham and stays this longer trip but Midnight Appeal is proving difficult to place this season and Via Sundown hasn't progressed from a win at Exeter. Ardkilly Witness' jumping remains a problem while Howard's Legacy never travelled at Haydock last time and was pulled up. Chartreux made giant strides last spring but hasn't raced since May and is probably best watched. The Queen's OPEN HEARTED is still unexposed over fences and ran very well on his reappearance at Exeter considering the trip was much too short. A winner over hurdles, he'll strip fitter today so gets the nod.
Chartreux (FR) 13-2 (10-9) Led early, headed after 2nd, 2nd halfway, left in lead 6 out, ridden and strongly pressed approaching 2 out, stayed on well from last, won at Punchestown 3m 1f hcap ch in May beating Grand Jesture (10-6) by 2l, 14 ran.
Open Hearted 10-3 (11-0) Raced touch keenly, chased winner, pushed along before 3 out, ridden and no impression before 2 out, lost 2nd at the last, kept on same pace flat, last of 3, 3 1/2l behind Mr Mole (11-7) at Exeter 2m 1f grad ch (2) sft in Dec.
Mart Lane (IRE) 100-1 (10-10) Chased leaders, not fluent and lost place 8th, behind next, mistake 11th, pulled up before 13th, in a race won by Emperor's Choice (10-8) at Chepstow 3m 5f Grade 3 hcp chs (4yo+) (1) hvy in Dec, 19 ran.
Midnight Appeal 7-1 (11-6) Raced keenly, chased leader from 2nd until 4th, chased leaders, 2nd again 8th until 10th, 2nd again 4 out until 3 out, chased leaders, kept on same pace and dropped to 4th run-in, 4th of 12, 11l behind Bertie Boru (11-6) at Newbury 2m 6f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Nov.
Via Sundown (FR) 11-1 (10-2) Led until mistake and headed 8th, remained prominent, led again 16th until ridden 3 out, chased winner until before 2 out, weakened 2 out, 6th of 9, 32l behind The Young Master (10-9) at Ascot 3m listed hcp chs (1) gs in Dec.
Ardkilly Witness (IRE) 9-2 (10-0) Chased leader, led 9th until headed 16th, mistake and weakened 4 out, tailed off, 7th of 9, well behind The Young Master (10-9) at Ascot 3m listed hcp chs (1) gs in Dec.
Masters Hill (IRE) 3-1 (11-0) Held up 4th, not fluent 11th, took closer order approaching 14th, 3rd after 3 out, went 2nd last half furlong and stayed on in closing stages but never going pace to challenge, 2nd of 4, 1l behind Tinker Time (11-0) at Newbury 3m grad ch (2) gs in Dec.
Howard's Legacy (IRE) 13-2 (11-0) Midfield, mistake 3rd, soon lost place, slow 7th, pushed along 9th, behind when pulled up before 5 out, in a race won by Broadway Buffalo (10-11) at Haydock 3m hcp chs 0-145 (2) hvy in Dec, 8 ran.
Al Alfa 13-2 (11-7) Led until 2 out, stayed pressing leader, stayed on gamely to lead again towards finish, won at Cheltenham 2m 5f cond hcp chs (4yo+) (3) gs in Dec beating Buck Mulligan (11-8) by hd, 9 ran.
