led, headed before 2 out, weakened before last
in touch, led before 2 out, clear before last
tracked leader, chased winner before 2 out, no impression
in touch, ridden before 2 out, went 3rd before last, kept on same pace
held up towards rear, headway before 4 out, weakened before 3 out
close up, pushed along before 6 out, soon lost place, tailed off
NonRunner
DIMPLE, unbeaten in three starts between the flags, easily won a handicap chase here in December then followed up by an even longer margin in a handicap hurdle at Kelso. He reverted to fences back there last month and made all for another facile victory so looks certain to take some beating. Off The Hook finally came good at the eleventh time of asking at Ayr but would prefer plenty of give in the ground while Imperial Aura followed a Ludlow bumper victory with a comfortable success at Carlisle in October. Bally Conor's bumper victory came on heavy ground but Oscar Wilde was staying on strongly here last time and will be suited by the longer trip.
Dimple (FR) 9-4 (10-3) Jumped and travelled well throughout, made all, drew clear after last (usual 3 out), in no danger after, ridden out briefly closing stages, impressive (both fences in home straight omitted, low sun), won at Kelso 2m 6f hcp (2) gd in Jan beating Mount Mews (11-5) by 20l, 4 ran.
Imperial Aura (IRE) 5-6fav (10-12) Chased leading pair, hit 4 out, 2nd after 3 out, led approaching last, ridden and stayed on well run-in, won at Carlisle 2m 3f (4) gd in Oct beating Sole Pretender (11-4) by 3 1/4l, 7 ran.
Bally Conor (IRE) 22-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, pushed along after 3 out, no chance when blundered last, 6th of 8, 10l behind Boldmere (11-2) at Market Rasen 2m 5f (3) gs in Feb.
Oscar Wilde (IRE) 13-2 (11-4) Chased leaders, ridden to challenge 3 out, weakened after next, 3rd of 15, 1 3/4l behind Rouge Vif (11-11) at Newcastle 2m (4) sft in Jan.
Pieceoftheaction (IRE) 14-1 (10-12) Tracked winner on inside, not fluent 6th, lost place before 3 out, soon beaten, weakened next, 4th of 5, dist behind Ask Ben (11-4) at Ayr 3m (4) gs in Jan.
Voila Eric 33-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders on outside, went 2nd 7th until before 3 out, weakened flat, 5th of 11, 27 1/2l behind Ardlethen (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 7f mdn (4) sft in Dec.
Langness (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Prominent, lost place 3 out, rallied approaching last, kept on under pressure, 4th of 6, 18 1/2l behind Colonial Dreams (11-6) at Market Rasen 2m 5f (4) gd in Apr.
Off The Hook (IRE) 2-1fav (10-12) Mid-division, headway 4 out, tracked leaders next, led before last, ridden and headed flat, rallied to regain lead near finish, won at Ayr 2m 4f mdn (5) gs in Jan beating Sam's Adventure (11-5) by 1/2l, 17 ran.
