tracked leading pair, went 2nd 4 out, led narrowly 2 out, ridden and stayed on flat
led, driven and headed narrowly 2 out, kept on and every chance last, ridden flat, held towards finish
held up in last pair, headway and in touch on outside 3 out, went 3rd approaching next, kept on same pace, no chance with front pair
tracked leader, lost place 4 out, soon struggling, lost touch next, tailed off when pulled up 2 out
held up in last pair, struggling before 3 out, tailed off when pulled up next
held up in 4th, tracked leading pair 3 out, outpaced before next, soon beaten and eased
Moon Trip is very much the dark horse here but he was an out-and-out stayer on the Flat and may need further to show his best over hurdles. He also lacks a recent run as does PASTURE BAY, though the latter sets a fair standard on several placed efforts last year and is preferred to Qoubilai who has won over fences but has looked one-paced over the smaller obstacles so far. Stamina may be an issue for Fushicho while Seabougg has shown little in a couple of bumpers.
Pasture Bay (IRE) 6-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, went 2nd before 2 out, kept on and no chance with winner, 2nd of 12, 10l behind Goldan Jess (9-9) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gd in Sep.
Qoubilai (FR) 7-2 (11-12) Led, mistake last, headed run-in, kept on, 2nd of 5, 1 1/4l behind Strobe (10-7) at Perth 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (4) gf in Jul.
Red Eyes 33-1 (8-2) Tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 9, 14l behind Classic Punch (9-3) at Doncaster 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) fm in Jul (flat).
Seabougg 20-1 (10-13) Tracked leader, ridden and weakened over 3f out, 4th of 7, 29l behind Lemons Ground (10-12) at Fontwell 1m 6f NH flat (6) gs in May.
Fushicho 7-2 (9-0) Took keen hold, tracked leading pair, driven and kept on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 6, 5l behind Speed Steed (9-7) at Bath 1m 5f hcp 0-60 (6) fm in Jul (flat).
Moon Trip 13-2 (7-13) Mid-division in touch, outpaced 4f out, ridden 3f out, never able to challenge, weakened final furlong, 10th of 13, 13l behind Sir Graham Wade (8-9) at Haydock 1m 6f hcp 105 (2) fm in Sep (flat).