tracked leaders, pushed along before 4th, soon weakened
held up in touch, weakened before 6th
held up towards rear, headway before 3 out, ridden 2 out, stayed on well to chase winner towards finish
led, headed when hit 2 out, ridden before last, weakened and lost 2nd place final 100 yards
held up mid-division, pushed along before 3 out, weakened next
held up towards rear, effort 3 out, never dangerous
tracked leaders, smooth headway to lead 2 out, kept on towards finish
held up mid-division on outer, pushed along approaching 5th, went 4th before 3 out, weakened from next
held up towards rear, headway 3 out, kept on and no impression
in rear, never dangerous
always towards rear
tracked leader, weakened before 2 out
CROWNING JEWEL looked to have improved on his return to action at Carlisle last month when running out an easy winner of a bumper. He gets the nod on his hurdling bow ahead of Doncaster bumper winner Malt Master, who failed to figure on his latest start at Punchestown in May and is also having his first start over timber. Master Murphy won here before being outclassed in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham and he could figure, while L'Eminence Grise's fourth at Ascot in January is the best hurdling form on display.
Alba King (IRE) 22-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders in 4th, pushed along before 3 out, soon weakened, 9th of 12, well behind Simply Ned (11-4) at Sedgefield 2m 1f NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) gd.
Capital Venture (IRE) 10-1 (10-5) Tracked leaders in 3rd, lost place before 4th, soon pushed along and weakened, 3rd of 8, 28l behind Bury Parade (10-7) at Hexham 2m NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) sft.
Crowning Jewel 8-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, smooth headway on outer over 4f out, led on bit over 1f out, pushed clear towards finish, easily, won at Carlisle 2m 1f NH flat (6) gs in Oct beating Bury Parade (11-2) by 6l, 11 ran.
Diamond D'amour (IRE) 8-1 (10-13) Led, clear 4th, headed 2 out, weakened next, 4th of 11, 28l behind Tap Night (11-12) at Carlisle 2m 3f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs.
Harry Handsome 40-1 (10-12) Held up mid-division, went 5th before 3 out, ridden and 3rd before 2 out, one pace, 5th of 12, 17l behind Simply Ned (11-4) at Sedgefield 2m 1f NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) gd.
L'eminence Grise (IRE) 7-2 (10-12) Led until 2nd, prominent, outpaced after 5th, weakened 3 out, tailed off, 5th of 8, 45l behind Elsafeer (10-12) at Worcester 2m NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) gd in Oct.
Malt Master (IRE) 12-1 (11-7) Mid-division, 10th 5f out, no impression from before straight, 13th of 21, 39l behind Burn And Turn (10-9) at Punchestown 2m N H flat gs in May.
Master Murphy (IRE) 100-1 (11-5) Chased leaders to over 6f out, soon behind, tailed off, 20th of 24, well behind Cheltenian (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m N H flat G1 (1) gd in Mar.
Oscar Romeo (IRE) 7-2 (11-2) Tracked leaders, pushed along before 3f out, one pace, 4th of 15, 10l behind Ifandbutwhynot (11-2) at Newcastle 2m mdn NH flat (6) gd.
Rupert Bear 66-1 (10-9) With leader, led 5f out, headed over 2f out, soon weakened, 8th of 15, 28l behind Ifandbutwhynot (11-2) at Newcastle 2m mdn NH flat (6) gd.
Santiago Boy 100-1 (10-5) Held up in touch, weakened before 2 out, pulled up before last, in a race won by Bury Parade (10-7) at Hexham 2m NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) sft, 8 ran.
Zaru (FR) 9-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, weakened before last, 5th of 15, 11l behind Kent Street (10-12) at Newcastle 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd.
