mid-division, headway approaching 5th, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
chased leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
chased leader until after 4th, soon behind, pulled up before 3 out
chased leaders, hit 4th, ridden approaching 5th, weakened after 3 out
chased leaders until 3rd, soon behind, pulled up before 3 out
led until 3 out, soon one pace
held up towards rear, headway into mid-division after 4th, ridden 3 out, soon one pace
always behind, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
held up towards rear, smooth headway 5th, led approaching 2 out, hit last, ran on well, pushed out
held up towards rear, ridden and headway after 3 out, stayed on to go 3rd approaching last, no chance with leading pair
mid-division, headway after 4th, ridden to lead after 3 out, headed before next, kept on
mid-division, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened
always towards rear
chased leaders, led 3 out, ridden and headed before next, weakened
Nonrunner
Alexander Exchange, a faller over fences at Southwell last month, is taken to make the most of the switch back to hurdles off what looks a fair mark and gets the vote ahead of Batchworth Beau and Beechwood. The last mentioned has won a couple of races in lesser grade of late but struggled back in a handicap last time and may do so again here so looks best watched. Silverhay has yet to translate flat form to hurdles, while Check Up has failed to progress as much as may have been anticipated. Ambersong ran creditably when last seen over course and distance 10 months ago but is probably best watched after such a long absence. A market move for Looks The Business would be of interest but more solid claims are held by recent Plumpton winner Batchworth Beau, although a 14lb rise since that Plumpton success leaves him with more to do. Alexander Exchange looks to be well treated though and he gets the vote to resume winning ways.
Alexander Exchange (IRE) 9-4jt-fav (11-12) Held up in touch, reminders and headway 4 out, soon chasing leaders, 3 lengths 3rd when fell 3 out in race won by Filey Flyer (10-11) at Southwell 2m 1f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf in May, 5 ran.
Looks The Business (IRE) 6-1 (11-10) Prominent, hit 2nd, ridden approaching 2 out, soon weakened and pulled up at the last in race won by Avesomeofthat (11-5) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) frm in Oct, 8 ran.
Check Up (IRE) 4-1 (11-10) Help up in mid-division, lost place 6th, ridden and headway 2 out, one pace after, 5th of 10, 14l behind Brown Fox (11-1) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf in May.
Batchworth Beau 7-2 (11-5) Led 2nd, headed 5th, led again 3 out, clear 2 out, mistake last, ridden out, won at Plumpton 2m clm hdl (5) gd in May beating Three Ships (10-13) by 6l, 5 ran.
Barella (IRE) 10-1 (11-7) In touch, slightly hampered 6th, soon ridden, weakened 3 out, 6th of 9, well behind Lesdream (10-12) at N Abbot 2m 3f sll hdl (5) gs in May.
Beechwood 9-2 (11-2) Held up, headway 4 out, chased leaders approaching 2 out, soon ridden, no extra, 4th of 8, 7l behind Compton Star (10-5) at Huntingdon 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in May.
Ambersong 9-1 (10-10) Held up mid-division, ridden, outpaced 5th, stayed on to chase winner approaching 2 out, no extra flat, 2nd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Critical Stage (10-12) at N Abbot 2m 1f clm hdl (5) gf in Aug.
Silverhay 9-2 (11-2) Tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 4th of 12, 15l behind Otage De Brion (11-2) at Plumpton 2m mdn hdl (4) gd in May.