chased leaders, ridden and weakened before 4 out
led until 7th, led again 9th, headed 3 out, soon rallied, weakening when blundered last
in touch, lost place 8th, in rear when unseated rider 5 out
tracked leader, led 7th, hit next, headed 9th, outpaced after 4 out, rallied to chase winner approaching last, no extra closing stages
prominent, ridden before 6th, weakened 5 out, modest 4th
chased leaders, took closer order 4 out, led next, kept on well under pressure
MR BACHSTER carries 7lb extra for his recent success at Fontwell. But Kerry Lee's charge won by a street despite being eased down close home and he can go in again. Head Spin looked beaten when falling at Fontwell in June while The Omen never threatened when third at Market Rasen last month. Strange Bird has been placed off today's mark and won over these fences in testing ground last year while Red Anchor is preferred to Albatros De Guye on his win at Plumpton in March.
Head Spin (IRE) 7-2fav (10-6) Chased leaders, closed 13th, pushed along disputing close 3rd when fell 2 out (normal 3 out), at Fontwell 3m 1f hcp (4) gd in Jun.
The Omen 9-2 (11-1) Held up in rear, closed 4 out, outpaced and no impression before next, pecked 2 out, went 3rd approaching last, 3rd of 6, 11l behind Chankillo (10-10) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp (5) gd in Oct.
Mr Bachster (IRE) 5-2fav (10-5) Jumped right, made all, driven clear before last, eased towards finish, unchallenged, won at Fontwell 2m 1f hcp (5) sft in Nov beating Treacy Hotels Boy (11-12) by 20l, 6 ran.
Strange Bird (IRE) 7-1 (10-9) Tracked leader, pushed along 4 out, weakened from 7th, 4th of 6, 33 1/4l behind Just Spot (10-13) at Towcester 2m 3f hcp (4) gs in Apr.
Red Anchor (IRE) 9-2 (10-13) Tracked leading pair, 2nd after 10th until 4 out, chased leading pair until next, weakened soon after, lost 2 places near finish, 6th of 7, 28 1/4l behind Ya Hafed (10-9) at Plumpton 3m 2f hcp (5) gd in May.
Albatros De Guye (FR) 11-4fav (10-1) Held up, not fluent 4th, mistake next, headway 7th, not fluent 10th, one pace after, 4th and well held when mistake last, 4th of 6, 19l behind Killabraher Cross (11-3) at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp (5) gd in Oct.
