chased leaders, went 2nd at 5th, led on long run before 2 out, narrowly headed last, left with every chance run-in, no extra final 100 yards
held up in mid-division, pushed along and outpaced before 2 out, never dangerous after
towards rear, in mid-division when mistake 3 out, plugged on
chased leaders, weakened before 2 out
behind, some headway before 4 out, no chance when mistake next
in touch, headway chasing leaders before 4 out, plugged on to take 3rd last strides
led until headed on long run before 2 out, soon lost 2nd, no chance with leading duo, lost 3rd final strides
took keen hold, chased leaders on inside, 2nd approaching 2 out, led and ran green last, joined run-in, stayed on to assert last 100 yards
always in rear, tailed off
chased leader until hit 5th, weakening when mistake next, soon behind, pulled up after 3 out
soon towards rear, hit 2nd, ridden and beaten in last pair before 4 out, never a factor, pulled up after 3 out
always towards rear, weakened before 3 out
Before Midnight is on a retrieval mission after failing to land the odds in two starts last month though he was in the lead when unseating at Chepstow. He will make a bold bid for compensation though in receipt of 7lb Little Miss Darsi, a winner between the flags, can improve enough from her excellent second behind the odds-on Pique Rock at Ludlow to pose a threat to all. Tidal Flow won a Newbury bumper on his racecourse debut a year ago but didn't run up to that form at Wincanton in April. KOOTENAY RIVER won a point by 20l and went for £80,000 at the sales. He's been a beaten favourite twice in bumpers but stamina will be his strongpoint so this stiffer test can enable him to make a successful hurdling debut.
Before Midnight 4-5fav (10-12) Prominent, jumped left and not fluent 1st, led 7th, narrow leader when blundered and unseated rider 2 out, at Chepstow 2m 3f mdn (4) gd in Oct.
Black Lightning (IRE) 6-1 (10-12) Prominent, led over 7f out, headed 6f out, led over 4f out, headed over 1f out, not quicken inside final furlong, 3rd of 8, 2l behind Lord Condi (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f (5) gd in May.
Glorious Boru (IRE) 4-1 (11-11) Chsd ldrs, 2nd frm 6th, ld 5out until hdd aftr 4out, disp 3out, 4l 2nd & no ch with wnr at last, kow, 2nd of 6, 5l behind Steak And Spuds (11-6) at Dromahane 3m gd in May.
Kootenay River (IRE) 5-2fav (11-8) Mid-division, headway over 3f out, every chance inside final furlong, held close home, 2nd of 14, 1/2l behind Rob The Getaway (11-12) at Aintree 2m 1f (3) gd in May.
Noble Quest 11-4 (10-12) With leader, led 5f out, headed over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 10, dist behind Brio Conti (11-2) at Stratford 2m mdn (5) gs in May.
Old Rascals (IRE) 4-1 (12-2) Mid-div, 7th 1/2way, 5th 3out, rdn 4th bef last, ko, 3rd of 12, 14l behind Drumlee Watar (12-2) at Loughanmore 3m mdn gs in May.
Ratfacemcdougall (IRE) 28-1 (11-0) Mid-division, outpaced 6f out, well beaten final 4f, 12th of 13, 35 1/4l behind Strong Glance (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m (2) gs in Oct.
Tidal Flow 13-8fav (11-10) Tracked leaders, led turning in, headed over 2f out, chased leaders, weakened final furlong, lost 3rd near finish, 4th of 12, 6 1/2l behind Samarquand (10-12) at Wincanton 1m 7f (5) gs in Apr.
Tractor Fred (IRE) 50-1 (11-6) Held up in rear, took keen hold, headway 7th, weakened before 3 out, pulled up before last, at Stratford 2m 6f mdn (5) gd in Oct.
Uncle O 50-1 (10-13) Held up towards rear, struggling 6f out, soon lost touch, tailed off, 6th of 8, dist behind Longhouse Sale (10-13) at Market Rasen 2m 1f (5) gf in Jun.
Wings of Darkness (IRE) 33-1 (10-10) Chased leading pair until 6f out, weakened rapidly, soon lost touch, tailed off, 10th of 11, dist behind Caribert (11-7) at Newbury 2m (2) sft in Mar.
Little Miss Darsi (IRE) 25-1 (10-10) Tracked winner, lost place when not fluent 4 out, soon behind and outpaced, pecked next, ridden and stayed on to take well held 2nd near finish, 2nd of 4, 4l behind Pique Rock (11-2) at Ludlow 2m 5f (4) gd in Oct.
