towards rear, headway after 6th to chase leaders, ridden approaching 4 out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, ridden 13th, gradually weakened from 4 out
towards rear, blundered and fell at 6th
mid-division, ridden approaching 4 out, soon one pace
mid-division, some headway and every chance 4 out, soon ridden and kept on until approaching 2 out, driven out
always handy, ridden 4 out, weakening when unseated rider next
led, ridden 4 out, headed approaching 2 out, soon one pace
mid-division, ridden and weakened from 13th
always handy, ridden approaching 4 out, kept on one pace from 2 out
behind and fell 5th
always towards rear, ridden 13th and lost touch 4 out
always towards rear, ridden 13th, soon beaten
always towards rear, ridden 11th, beaten when fell 4 out
DIVEX looks the form pick to land this chase with both Balaker and Snowy worth noting. The selection steps up in trip to three miles after winning here over four furlongs shorter. He has form over this extended distance and is only four pound higher in the weights as a consiquence of his latest success and for that reason he can be competitive once again. Balaker hit form again when catching the eye in second place to the selection. He is two pounds higher in the weights and two pounds better off with his rival. However we feel that is not enough to reverse the form today. Snowy is another to note having showed improved form to finish third in the same race behind the selection and although he is better off with both the named horses he will have to improve once again to get his head in front, so for the winner we return to Divex.
Ajay (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) Held up in touch, hampered 4th, chased winner from 6th, reminders after 11th, no impression from 15th, 2nd of 7, well behind Belon Gale (11-0) at Sedgefield 3m 3f mdn chs (4) sft.
Snowy (IRE) 3-1 (11-2) Prominent, every chance 4 out, soon ridden, outpaced 2 out, driven and rallied flat, 3rd of 9, 3/4l behind Divex (10-13) at Musselburgh 2m 4f amt hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd.
Balakar (IRE) 7-1 (10-13) In touch, led 4 out, soon ridden, headed and no extra flat, 2nd of 9, 3/4l behind Divex (10-13) at Musselburgh 2m 4f amt hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd.
Divex (IRE) 11-8fav (10-13) In touch, every chance 4 out, soon ridden, hit 2 out, driven and led flat, won at Musselburgh 2m 4f amt hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd beating Balakar (10-13) by 3/4l, 9 ran.
Seize 7-2fav (10-6) Held up, steady headway 10th, chased leaders 4 out, soon held, 4th of 15, 13l behind Cresswell Willow (11-3) at Ludlow 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Nov.
Another Club Royal 25-1 (11-4) Always towards rear, ridden 5 out, soon beaten, 7th of 10, well behind Kalmo Bay (11-8) at Musselburgh 3m cnd hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf.
Stravaigin 11-4fav (10-13) Tracked leaders, ridden 4 out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 10, 15l behind Kalmo Bay (11-8) at Musselburgh 3m cnd hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf.
Astyanax (IRE) 40-1 (10-7) In touch, effort 4 out, weakened 2 out, 6th of 9, 26l behind So Now (10-8) at Perth 3m 3f cnd hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Apr.
Yankee Holiday (IRE) 12-1 (10-9) Led until headed 6th, stayed prominent, ridden and challenged leaders 4 out, kept on from last, 4th of 9, 3l behind Divex (10-13) at Musselburgh 2m 4f amt hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd.
Nicozetto (FR) 11-2 (11-10) Held up, headway to chase leaders approaching 4 out, weakened 2 out, 7th of 10, 45l behind Norminster (11-2) at Carlisle 2m hcp chs 0-90 (5) hvy.
Oh Yah Dancer (IRE) 5-2jt-fav (10-4) Held up, headway and in touch 4 out, driven and outpaced next, soon beaten, 5th of 9, 18l behind Valerius (10-4) at Perth 3m nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Jul.
Greenock 8-1 (10-12) Always behind, not fluent, 8th of 15, 34l behind Smart Man (10-8) at Newcastle 3m hcp chs (5) gd in Oct.
King's Envoy (USA) 22-1 (9-7) Close up, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, 7th of 9, 13l behind Divex (10-13) at Musselburgh 2m 4f amt hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd.