Ray Diamond has been a reformed character lately and has won two of his last three starts. But today's opposition is a step up from what he's accustomed to and he's also creeping up the weights. The Musical Guy is talented on his day and scored over a longer trip here last time. He can't be discounted while Tafika is potentially well treated and sure to strip fitter for a recent run at Southwell. Hit The Top and Fairy Rath are others who could figure if on a going day but HIGHWAY CODE is also worth a second look. A versatile sort, he's nicely handicapped on his best form of last season and could go close if settling better than at Ludlow last time.
The Musical Guy (IRE) 9-1 (11-8) In touch on outside, reminder after 11th, went 3rd 5 out, upsides next, led after 2 out, driven clear from last, won at Leicester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-120 (4) gs beating Dont Do Mondays (11-12) by 9l, 7 ran.
Call Me Vic (IRE) 11-2 (11-0) Held up in touch, under pressure 4 out, mistake and hampered 3 out, soon pulled up, in a race won by Shantou Magic (11-8) at Market Rasen 2m 6f nov hcap ch (3) sft in Nov, 6 ran.
Highway Code (USA) 7-1 (11-6) Took keen hold, tracked leader, led 2nd, hit 6th, headed next, slightly last place, outpaced after 9th, tried to rally in 4th approaching 4 out, hit 4 out, disputing well held 3rd next until 2 out, soon no extra, 5th of 8, 13l behind Vivaccio (11-6) at Ludlow 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs.
Hit The Top (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Not fluent in rear, behind 7th, last of 9, well behind Top Gamble (11-8) at Warwick 2m nov hcap ch (3) sft.
Fairy Rath (IRE) 8-1 (10-13) Chased leader, led 10th, headed 3 out, lost 2nd soon after, weakened before next, 5th of 8, 41l behind Niceonefrankie (11-3) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp chs 0-140 (3) sft in Nov.
Hatters River (IRE) 5-2 (10-12) Chased leaders, left 2nd 10th until next, outpaced from 12th, well beaten from next, refused last, in a race won by Tinker Time (11-6) at Kempton 3m nov hcap ch (3) gs in Nov, 5 ran.
Gus Macrae (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Tracked leader until 7th, soon in rear, ridden 10th, pulled up 2 out, in a race won by Perfect Candidate (11-7) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (4) sft in Nov, 5 ran.
Ray Diamond 7-2 (11-5) Led to 1st, led again next, headed after 6th, regained lead when pecked next, made rest, driven clear when not fluent 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on well, won at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy beating Crystal Swing (11-4) by 16l, 6 ran.
Prince Des Marais (FR) 50-1 (11-2) Led until 3 out, no extra last, 5th of 11, 24l behind The Ould Lad (11-10) at Leicester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-120 (4) gs in Nov.
Tafika 9-2 (11-4) Tracked leader, led 8th, bumped next, jumped left 3 out, headed before last, no extra last, 2nd of 7, 13l behind King Rolfe (11-7) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft.
Smart Catch (IRE) 5-1 (11-1) Held up, jumped left at times, pushed along 4th, not fluent 9th, headway before 12th, not fluent 4 out, 3rd and beaten 3 out, weakened into 4th when blundered 2 out, pulled up before last, in a race won by Nodform Richard (11-12) at Fontwell 3m 2f hcp chs 0-120 (4) gf in Jun, 5 ran.
