held up off the pace in mid-division, pushed along and headway out wide home turn, ridden in 5th turning in, hung right and no headway from 2 out
off the pace in 3rd, closer before 3 out, wide turning in, led, before 2 out, joined last, ridden headed and no extra final 100 yards, kept on for clear 2nd
went right 1st, chased leader who soon went clear, closer before 3 out, ridden to lead turning in, headed before 2 out, soon lost 2nd, chased leading pair, weakened run-in
led and soon clear, hit 4 out and reduced lead soon after, ridden and headed turning in, weakened 2 out
held up well off the pace in rear, tailed off when mistake 4 out, pulled up after next
soon off the pace in mid-division, outpaced after 3 out, struggling in 6th when mistake 2 out, stayed on into modest 3rd run-in
off the pace in 4th, bit closer approaching 3 out, weakened turning in, pulled up before 2 out
off the pace in last pair, mistake and struggling in rear when hit 3 out, tailed off
raced keenly, held up off the pace towards rear, good headway chasing leaders going well home turn, went 2nd approaching 2 out, upsides when mistake last, rallied gamely to lead final 100 yards
Artistic Choice justified favouritism on his hurdling debut at Catterick a month ago but this looks a more competitive affair and he carries 7lb extra. POSTMARK was rated 15lb higher on the Flat than stablemate Highland Frolic. The latter has had a run over timber, finishing second at Wetherby, but the former can land this for an up-and-coming NH yard. Charles St and Him Malaya were both beaten favourites on their hurdling debuts so may be capable of better and the former holds Forward Flight on Warwick running. Dark Mystery is preferred to Samuel Spade and Chaos Control of the others.
Artistic Choice (IRE) 6-4fav (11-0) Held up in last pair after 3rd, in 2nd after 3 out and next, ridden soon after, in front run-in, kept on well (limited comments due to poor visibility, unofficial time), won at Catterick 2m (4) gs in Nov beating Chicago Gal (10-7) by 2l, 7 ran.
Chaos Control (IRE) 10-1 (9-4) Made all, pushed along over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, just did enough, won at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp (5) pol in Nov beating Nolton Cross (9-7) by nk, 9 ran.
Charles St Evensfav (11-0) Chased leader after slow jump 2nd, hampered and left in lead 4th, headed next, led again before 3 out, headed 2 out, jumped right last, edged right and flashed tail flat, stayed on, just held, 2nd of 7, hd behind Non Stop (11-0) at Warwick 2m (4) gs in Nov.
Dark Mystery (IRE) 17-2 (9-1) Tracked leader, ridden to challenge over 1f out, every chance until winner went on inside final furlong, weakened and lost two places towards finish, 4th of 10, 1 1/2l behind Carrigillihy (9-4) at Pontefract 1m 4f hcp (4) gd in Sep.
Forward Flight (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Led 1st, slowed into 4th and headed, not fluent 3 out, soon pushed along, weakened 2 out, 5th of 7, 33 1/2l behind Non Stop (11-0) at Warwick 2m (4) gs in Nov.
Highland Frolic (FR) 5-6fav (11-0) Chased winner, not fluent 3rd, pushed along and no impression when mistake 3 out, mistake last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 6, 17l behind Vintage Valley (11-0) at Wetherby 2m (4) gd in Oct.
Him Malaya (FR) 1-2fav (11-0) Jumped left on occasion, disputed lead, led 2nd, headed briefly 4th, soon led again, ridden when edged left 2 out, not fluent and headed last, soon no extra, 3rd of 4, 3 1/4l behind Sailing Grace (10-7) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f (4) gd in Oct.
Postmark 9-2fav (9-4) Tracked leaders, ridden along when every chance 2f out, soon no extra, faded inside final furlong, 10th of 12, 6 3/4l behind True Courage (9-4) at Newcastle 1m 4f hcp (3) pol in Sep.
Samuel Spade (GER) 7-1 (9-7) Towards rear, pushed along over 2f out, never near leaders, 9th of 14, 12 1/2l behind Red Derek (8-12) at Doncaster 1m 2f hcp (5) hvy in Oct.
