made virtually all, joined 7th, edged right 2 out, drew clear last, well in command flat
held up in touch on inside, driven and outpaced before 3 out, no impression from next
chased leaders, lost plce when mistake 5th, reminder after next, soon struggling, tailed off when pulled up 4 out
tracked leaders, went 2nd 3 out, switched inside and effort approaching next, ridden and outpaced between last 2, no chance with winner flat
held up in touch, outpaced when mistake 3 out, soon no impression, well beaten when hit last
took keen hold, soon tracked winner, hit 4th, challenged when mistake 7th, lost 2nd when mistake 3 out, kept on same pace fom next, no impression
Nonrunner
Ubi Ace ran well on his hurdles debut to finish second to A Bridge Too Far at Wetherby. He should know more today and is one of three that should dominate this finale. Rupert Lamb is another having only found one too good at Wetherby and Ayr so far. Howard Johnson's charge gives the impression a slightly longer trip wouldn't come amiss, however, and is passed over in favour of AIKMAN. James Ewart's gelding comes from proven jumping stock and looked the likely winner when falling at the last over this C&D on his hurdling debut. Just run out of it by Waldvogel here on his next start, he can make it third-time lucky today.
Aikman (IRE) 11-4 (11-1) Led, joined 3 out, soon ridden, pressed when blundered last, soon headed, kept on, held by winner, 2nd of 12, 1 1/4l behind Waldvogel (11-4) at Musselburgh 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Jan.
Andreo Bambaleo 66-1 (10-13) Held up towards rear, weakened 6f out, 11th of 14, well behind Rocks Rule (11-4) at Newcastle 2m NH flat (6) sft in Mar.
Over The Clyde 200-1 (10-11) Held up behind, pushed along before halfway, ridden over 6f out, soon struggling, 9th of 11, well behind Anychancedave (10-0) at Ayr 2m cond NH flat (6) gd in Jan.
Rupert Lamb 10-11fav (11-5) Chased leaders, hit 5th, ridden to chase winner before last, soon every chance, no extra last 75 yards, 2nd of 16, 2 1/4l behind Darna (11-5) at Ayr 2m mdn hdl (5) gs in Jan.
Scotswell 200-1 (10-9) Raced wide, close up and keen, blundered 3rd, weakened before 3 out, fell next, in a race won by Lively Baron (11-8) at Ayr 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gs in Jan, 16 ran.
Ubi Ace 14-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders and keen, chased winner after 4 out, ridden before last, one pace, 2nd of 18, 2 3/4l behind A Bridge Too Far (11-4) at Wetherby 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Foxes Delight (IRE) 200-1 (10-6) Tracked leaders, pushed along and lost place after 8th, soon outpaced, in 6th and one pace when left a poor 3rd from 2 out, kept on from last, no impression, 3rd of 12, 12l behind Soll (10-12) at Newcastle 3m nov hdl (3) sft in Jan.
