led, pushed along before 2 out where joined, headed approaching last, faded run-in
close up, disputed lead 2 out, led narrowly last, ridden run-in and forged away final 110 yards
towards rear, some headway 3 out, pushed along and no progress from next
chased leaders, pushed along and outpaced home turn, ridden and ran on after 2 out, stayed on run-in and took 2nd close home, not trouble winner
prominent on outer, lost position and reminders 3rd, lost touch after 3 out
tracked leaders, headway to dispute lead 2 out, headed narrowly final flight, ridden run-in and kept on until no extra final 110 yards
mid-division, headway to chase leaders after 4 out, pushed along next, well held 2 out
in rear, pushed along after 3 out, never involved
Clongowes, a dual winner on the Flat, is 0-16 over hurdles but probably would have won at Newton Abbot in May but for a last-flight fall. CHANDLERS BAY has always looked likely to do better with experience and showed plenty of potential earlier this year. He makes his handicap debut and can get off the mark though another handicap newcomer, Celtic Ned, did well when runner-up here last month ad his rider's claim is a bonus. Birdman Bob came good at Plumpton and a 6lb rise looks manageable while Eagle Of The Glen and Tintintin fought out a finish at Hexham in April and are handicapped to virtually dead-heat here.
Celtic Ned (IRE) 17-2 (11-0) Led, headed 4th, pressed winner, ridden 2 out, stayed on one pace, no chance with winner, 2nd of 14, 3 1/4l behind Paradias (11-0) at Lingfield 2m (4) gs in Nov.
Tintintin (FR) 14-1 (11-3) Mid-division out wide, headway tracking leaders 4th, no impression when mistake last, weakened soon after, 11th of 17, 18 1/2l behind Impose Toi (11-12) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Chandlers Bay (IRE) 4-1 (10-9) Off the pace in mid-division, closer in 4th and pushed along after 4 out, went 3rd home turn, headway out wide and stayed on strongly run-in, not reach leading duo, 3rd of 12, 1/2l behind Tapley (11-7) at Plumpton 2m mdn (4) gd in Feb.
Artistic Endeavour 18-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, ridden and outpaced after 2 out, plugged on between horses run-in, 5th of 17, 10 3/4l behind Impose Toi (11-12) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Eagle Of The Glen 17-2 (11-12) Tracked leaders, pushed along when hit 3 out, soon weakened, 11th of 17, 36 1/2l behind Tarahumara (12-2) at Warwick 2m hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Nordic Tiger (FR) 8-1 (11-0) Led, hit 1st, pushed along and headed before 2 out, kept on until weakened run-in, 5th of 17, 7 3/4l behind Helnwein (11-0) at Warwick 2m (4) sft in Nov.
Birdman Bob (IRE) 13-2 (10-10) In touch, headway 4 out, ridden and every chance 2 out, led next, ran on, won at Plumpton 2m hcp (5) gs in Nov beating Ede'iffs Rock (11-3) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
Clongowes (IRE) 10-3 (10-12) In rear, headway into 3rd home turn, pushed along and led 2 out, 2 lengths ahead and in command when fell last, at Newton Abbot 2m 2f hcp (5) gd in May.
