held up in 7th, headway on inside when hampered 4 out, chasing leaders when hit 3 out, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out
chased leaders, left in 2nd place 4 out, led before 2 out, joined last, headed flat, rallied gamely to lead again final stride
held up in touch, pushed along when badly hampered 4 out, weakened next
held up in 8th, slightly hampered 4 out, 9th and beaten when pulled up approaching 2 out
mistake 1st, tracked leader, left in narrow lead 4 out, ridden and headed before 2 out, weakened quickly soon after
chased leaders in 4th, mistake 2nd, hit 2 out, ridden and weakened betwen last 2, went modest 3rd flat
led, soon set good pace and clear, about 10 lengths ahead when fell 4 out
held up off the pace in last pair, slightly hampered 4 out, smooth headway approaching 3 out, went 2nd between last 2, led flat, soon edged left, headed last stride
held up well in rear, mistake 2nd, went left 4 out, headway approaching 2 out, ridden in 5th between last 2, went modest 4th towards finish
raced wide, held up in touch, headway on outside to track leaders before 4 out, challenging in 2nd and every chance when hit 2 out, ridden and held in 3rd when blundered badly last, weakened flat
Nonrunner
Somemothersdohavem ended the last campaign in decent form and could be worth following this season, though reappears after a lengthy absence. Vibrato Valtat is still seeking a first win in this country and was comfortably put in his place by FERGALL at Newton Abbot in May. The top weight hasn't gone backwards since judged on his comeback win at Huntingdon and, though 8lb higher now, can continue his winning run. Three Kingdoms won by 20 lengths at Leicester and had Vibrato Valtat behind at Cheltenham earlier. He rates a danger but Snake Eyes has proved expensive to follow and Specialagent Alfie isn't easy to predict. Bohemian Rhapsody enjoyed a successful summer on the Flat and was a good second at Newbury back over hurdles so looks the pick of the remainder.
Fergall (IRE) 14-1 (11-4) Pulled hard tracking leaders, mistake 3 out, led next, edged left and idled closing stages, kept on, won at Huntingdon 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs beating Keltus (10-6) by 3/4l, 10 ran.
Three Kingdoms (IRE) 4-6fav (11-5) Tracked leaders, led on bit 3 out, clear last, very easily, won at Leicester 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs beating John Reel (11-5) by 20l, 11 ran.
Specialagent Alfie 14-1 (10-13) Led, headed approaching 2 out, still every chance under pressure 2 out, ridden and kept on same pace from last, 7th of 13, 5l behind Deep Trouble (10-11) at Sandown 2m Listed hcp hdl (1) gs.
Somemothersdohavem 8-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, some headway 3rd, hit 3 out, stayed on under pressure approaching 2 out, went modest 4th last, 4th of 11, 11l behind Ptit Zig (11-12) at Sandown 2m 4yo hcp hdl (2) gd in Apr.
Seventh Sky (GER) 25-1 (11-0) Took keen hold, chased leaders, went 2nd going well 3 out, led before and mistake 2 out, soon headed, weakened quickly between last 2, 10th of 13, 18l behind Deep Trouble (10-11) at Sandown 2m Listed hcp hdl (1) gs.
Tidal Way (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) Pulled hard in rear, headway after 3 out, chased leaders after next, never on terms, 5th of 12, 6l behind Moujik Borget (11-1) at Haydock 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in Nov.
Milord (GER) 8-1 (10-11) Towards rear, some headway approaching 2 out, never on terms, 8th of 13, 9l behind Deep Trouble (10-11) at Sandown 2m Listed hcp hdl (1) gs.
Vibrato Valtat (FR) 6-4fav (10-12) Held up in last pair, smooth headway to track leaders approaching 2 out, challenged 2 out, soon led, looked in command last, no extra under pressure and headed final 100 yards, 2nd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Vaniteux (10-12) at Sandown 2m nov hdl (3) gs.
Bohemian Rhapsody (IRE) 7-1 (11-2) Took keen hold and held up in last pair, headway approaching 3 out, led went left and mistake 2 out, blundered last, soon ridden, headed and not pace of winner last half furlong, 2nd of 14, 2 1/4l behind Swinging Hawk (10-13) at Newbury 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gs in Nov.
Right Step 33-1 (11-1) Held up in 4th, in touch from 5th, ridden before 2 out, one pace, 4th of 6, 14l behind Alwaystheoptimist (10-4) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Oct.
Snake Eyes (IRE) 2-5fav (10-12) Held up in rear, took keen hold, headway on outside approaching 4th, ridden and hanging left when not fluent 2 out, soon beaten, weakened before last, 4th of 9, 14l behind Irish Cavalier (10-12) at Stratford 2m NH nov hdl 4-6yo (3) sft in Oct.
