tracked leaders, weakened before 4 out, losing touch when blundered and pulled up after next
tracked clear leader until 4th, chased leaders, behind from 6th, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
held up in last pair, headway on outside approaching 6th, 3rd before 4 out, ridden and no impression after next, went left last, finished tired
last pair, modest 4th 3 out, never involved
took keen, hold tracking leaders, went 2nd 4th, led going well 2 out, soon clear, very easily
led, clear before 3rd until reminder after 4 out, headed 2 out, no chance with very easy winner
Rock Of Leon showed the benefit of a run last month when landing a similar race to this over the track and trip a fortnight ago. He's only a four-year-old and can improve but has a big weight to carry. SIROP DE MENTHE had looked ready to win again soon when runner-up at Exeter and proceeded to score easily at Huntingdon on Saturday. He comes here with a penalty but a similar level of form should see him complete a quick double. It's rare to find a Grade 1 winner on a card like this but Lovcen beat Fingal Bay to land the Sefton Novices' Hurdle at Aintree in 2012 when trained by Alan King. He never repeated that sort of form subsequently but beat a long odds-on chance over fences at Wetherby in May of last year, though hasn't been seen since. Blue Bear was an easy winner at Plumpton in March but was well beaten on a return visit in May while Minstrels Gallery is 8lb higher than his only victory over timber. Reblis hasn't run over the smaller obstacles since 2009.
Rock Of Leon 7-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, ridden to challenge 2 out, led after last, hung left closing stages, held on well, won at Lingfield 2m 3f hcp (3) hvy in Nov beating Flementime (11-5) by 3/4l, 8 ran.
Lovcen (GER) 5-1fav (10-12) Tracked leader, jumped right throughout, led 3rd, headed 5th, effort 2 out, ran on to lead closing stages, won at Wetherby 3m 1f (4) sft in May beating Broadway Buffalo (10-12) by 1 1/4l, 3 ran.
Blue Bear (IRE) 10-1 (11-9) Chased leading pair, went 2nd at 3rd, led 9th until ridden after 3 out, weakened before next, 5th of 7, 15 1/2l behind Ossie's Dancer (11-8) at Plumpton 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in May.
Minstrels Gallery (IRE) 3-1fav (11-9) Midfield, headway to chase leaders after 3 out, effort next, no impression, 5th of 8, 16 1/4l behind Rock Of Leon (11-5) at Lingfield 2m 3f hcp (3) hvy in Nov.
Sirop De Menthe (FR) 5-2fav (10-12) Prominent, jumped right 2nd, led after 3 out, clear last, stayed on well, comfortably, won at Huntingdon 2m hcp (3) gs in Nov beating Gin And Tonic (10-3) by 7l, 6 ran.
Reblis (FR) 11-1 (10-1) Always towards rear, pulled up before 10 out, at Fontwell 3m 3f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
