keen hold, led after 2nd, mistake and headed 3 out, soon weakened
held up in touch, joined leader 7th, led 3 out, pressed when not fluent last, not quicken and headed flat
always towards rear
in mid-division, headway to chase leaders when mistake 3 out and weakened
close up until weakened approaching 2 out
keen hold, held up towards rear, steady headway from 3 out, challenged next, led flat, driven and stayed on
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
in touch, mistakes 3rd and 5th, behind from 4 out
led to 2nd, gradually lost place, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
in rear, blundered 1st and unseated rider 5th
held up towards rear, some late headway but never near leaders
in mid-division, mistake 6th, ridden to chase leaders from 3 out, 4 and beaten when swerved violently left approaching 2 out and virtually pulled up
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
close up until weakened rapidly approaching 3 out, tailed off
towards rear and no chance when blundered 2 out
behind, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
held up, ridden along approaching 4 out, stayed on, no danger
prominent, went 2nd 3 out, every chance from 2 out, no quicken flat
hampered first and always behind
Some lightly raced and potentially useful performers on view in a race that is sure to provide its fair share of future winners. Fork Lightning showed the benefit of his initial start over hurdles when fourth at Hereford last time and can only progress again particularly for the step up in trip. King Claudius has some useful bumper form to his name including a debut win here before reaching a place in a hot Newbury event next time. The seven-year-old will have been well schooled and could go close while Arctic Sky and former middle distance Flat winner Balladeer have both shown promise over timber and are others to closely consider. However, the marginal vote goes to Moscow Tradition who showed that he was progressing along the right lines when just touched off at Chepstow last time. Jonjo O'Neill's gelding looked the likely winner after being sent on at the second last only to be collared close home and compensation awaits this exciting recruit.