slow 1st and next, in touch in 5th, 7th and struggling before 7th, no chance when blundered 9th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
chased clear leading pair, closed to lead approaching 7th, headed 4 out, 4 lengths down last, closed on weakening winner close home, just failed
led at strong pace and clear with one rival, headed 4th, led again next, reduced lead and headed approaching 7th, stayed in well held 3rd after
slow 1st, last trio, struggling in rear and tailed off when pulled up after 6th
held up in 5th, headway to chase leader 7th, led 4 out, 4 lengths ahead last, weakened towards finish, just held on, all out
always towards rear, pushed along and struggling 8th, tailed off 4 out, soon pulled up
slow 1st, raced in 6th off the pace, ridden before 7th, struggling soon after, tailed off when blundered 4 out
pressed leader at strong pace, led 4th until next, chased leader until weakened rapidly before 7th, behind when blundered 8th and next, tailed off and pulled up before 4 out
last trio and well off the pace, headway to 4th at 7th, plugged on same pace, tailed off
Cases can be advanced for the majority but DEAN'S GRANGE is coming along steadily over fences and was upsides Mister Matt until outpaced from the last at Uttoxeter. He can improve again and gets the nod over Timoca, who stayed on well late on when making a more than satisfactory fencing debut. The latter should obviously benefit considerably from that experience and looks shortlist material off a fair mark. Lodgician also was noted making good late progress on his chasing debut but the suspicion is that he may find this track a little too sharp, although far from discounted. Exulto continues to find a couple too good but Won More Night attracts interest on a more than feasible mark at the foot of the weights.
Lodgician (IRE) 7-2 (11-12) Held up in touch in rear, mistake 2nd, headway approaching 8th, mistake 3 out, switched right before last, stayed on flat, 3rd of 7, 2l behind Le Corvee (11-11) at Stratford 2m 1f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Jul.
Exulto (IRE) 3-1fav (11-7) Held up in rear, headway when blundered and lost place 6th, not fluent 4 out, headway soon after, weakened 3 out, 4th of 7, 15l behind Professor Higgins (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 2f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in Jul.
Star of Germany (IRE) 13-2 (11-12) Pulled hard, led after 1st, headed 10th, soon reminders, weakened 4 out, 4th of 6, well behind Majy D'Auteuil (11-5) at Stratford 2m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf in Jul.
January 5-1 (11-5) Held up in 6th, slow 4th, weakened 6th, tailed off when pulled up after 3 out, in a race won by Hi Tide (11-10) at Southwell 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Jul, 8 ran.
Dean's Grange 5-2 (11-0) Held up, closed 4th, tracked winner going well 3 out, every chance next, ridden and no impression flat, 2nd of 5, 5l behind Mister Matt (11-7) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Jul.
Amuse Me 10-3fav (11-5) Prominent on outside, blundered 8th, soon weakened, tailed off, 6th of 7, well behind Le Corvee (11-11) at Stratford 2m 1f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Jul.
Timoca (IRE) 11-2 (11-12) Chased leaders, hit 8th and pecked, stayed on last, went 2nd flat, closed on winner, always held, 2nd of 6, 1 1/2l behind Turn Up (10-13) at Worcester 2m nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in Jul.
Newlyn Bay 10-1 (10-12) Prominent, led 3rd until next, outpaced 8th, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off, last of 7, well behind Le Corvee (11-11) at Stratford 2m 1f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Jul.
Won More Night 7-2fav (11-8) Held up in mid-division, headway after 5th, not fluent 2 out, kept on same pace under pressure flat, 3rd of 13, 3 1/2l behind Ton-Chee (10-10) at Worcester 2m hcp hdl 0-85 (5) gf in Jul.