led, headed after 3rd, tracked leader, led again 6th to 12th, weakened 3 out, tailed off
tracked leaders, lost place and reminders after 10th, behind next, ridden and headway under pressure after 4 out, chased leading pair before next, stayed on to press for 2nd flat, no chance with winner
early reminders, ran in snatches throughout, led after 3rd, headed 6th, behind from 10th, lost touch and pulled up before next
tracked leaders, went 2nd at 8th, led 12th, ridden clear after 2 out, stayed on well, comfortably
held up in touch, headway 12th, went 2nd after 4 out, ridden before 2 out, soon no chance winner, kept on when hard pressed for 2nd flat
held up in touch, ridden 12th, lost place 4 out, never on terms, weakened next, pulled up 2 out
Nonrunner
American Legend found one too good at Exeter having been raised 5lb for an earlier victory at Worcester. He should go well again, but BLACKWELL SYNERGY (NAP) is preferred. The latter went close in a chase at Kempton on his return from a lay-off and looks capable of scoring off his current mark given he was rated 10lb higher over hurdles last year. Whiskey Ridge and Master Neo will need further improvement off their current marks as they return to action while Strumble Head didn't get very far before unseating at Exeter last time having won at Fontwell earlier.
Strumble Head (IRE) 16-1 (11-2) Led, blundered and unseated rider 2nd, in a race won by Court By Surprise (11-11) at Exeter 3m hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Oct, 10 ran.
Halley (FR) 16-1 (11-8) Always towards rear, never involved, 8th of 14, 10l behind Tarvini (10-6) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gd in Sep.
Little Chip (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Chased leaders on outside, hit 3rd, lost place and given reminder, struggling after 11th, behind when pulled up before 12th, in a race won by First Fandango (11-11) at Ludlow 3m hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd in Oct, 8 ran.
Master Neo (FR) 4-1 (11-2) In touch, ridden and weakened before 2 out, 5th of 9, 10l behind Everaard (10-5) at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Apr.
American Legend (IRE) 11-4fav (11-4) Tracked leaders, went left 5th, pushed along and one pace before 4 out, not much room when mistake next, went 2nd 2 out, driven and kept on same pace flat, 2nd of 5, 2 1/4l behind Caulfields Venture (11-12) at Exeter 3m hcp chs 0-120 (4) gf in Oct.
Whiskey Ridge (IRE) 11-4fav (10-5) Led until 6th, reminders after 8th to lead again next, pushed along and joined 4 out, asserted 2 out, clear before last, stayed on strongly, won at Wetherby 2m 6f hcp chs 0-120 (4) gs in Apr beating Mr Syntax (11-11) by 17l, 7 ran.
Blackwell Synergy (FR) 20-1 (11-7) In touch, reminder after 9th, went 2nd at 11th, led narrowly 14th, hit 4 out, headed 2 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace, 2nd of 9, 2 3/4l behind Wood Yer (11-10) at Kempton 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Oct.
