led to 1st, chased winner, struggling 15th, ridden and well held in clear 2nd when fell 2 out
tracked leaders, pushed along before 14th, ridden soon after, no chance with clear pair from next, remote 3rd when pulled up approaching 4 out
chased leaders, not fluent 8th and again next, reminder after 11th, lost place 14th, soon behind and struggling, left remote 3rd 4 out, tailed off when left 2nd before 2 out
held up in last pair, struggling 15th, continued tailed off
jumped well, led 1st, made rest, drew well clear from 15th, unchallenged when left distance clear 2 out
held up in last pair, struggling 15th, never a threat, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
NonRunner
NonRunner
Despite a further 3lb rise, Hillary View was an odds-on favourite at Hexham last week but was an early faller. Clondaw Bisto could be a law unto himself over hurdles but has won a point-to-point so the switch to fences may well suit. Ange Des Malberaux is two from two over fences and has won three of his four runs for Dan Skelton so can’t be ignored but THE FLAME has also taken well to the larger obstacles and won in a canter here last time having jumped his rivals silly. He does have a 10lb higher mark to overcome but could take some catching again if in the same mood. Heydour is preferred to Moving In Style of the remainder.
The Flame (IRE) 3-1 (12-4) Made all, not fluent 8th, clear 14th, unchallenged, won at Newton Abbot 3m 2f hcp (4) gd in Sep beating Top Chief (11-5) by 9l, 4 ran.
Hillary View (IRE) 4-5fav (11-12) Held up in chasing group when fell 6th, at Hexham 3m hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Clondaw Bisto (IRE) 4-1 (11-9) Not keen reminders and lost place after 1st, tailed off 3rd, not run on, pulled up before 2 out, at Exeter 2m 6f hcp (4) hvy in Apr.
Sideways (IRE) 8-1 (11-6) Mid-division, left 2nd 2 out, kept on and always held, 2nd of 7, 6l behind Billy Bronco (11-6) at Ayr 3m mdn (5) hvy in Jan.
The Two Amigos 4-5fav (11-7) Led til rn out 3, at Trebudannon 3m gd in May.
Moving In Style (IRE) 9-2jfav (11-9) Mid-division, headway 4 out, led just after next, strongly challenged when hit 2 out, held on gamely, won at Plumpton 3m 1f hcp (5) gs in Apr beating Sweet'n'chic (10-0) by 3/4l, 10 ran.
Heydour (IRE) 5-1 (10-12) Mostly tracked leader, challenged 3 out, ridden to lead briefly before next, no chance with winner before last, just held for 2nd flat, 3rd of 8, 9 1/4l behind Push The Tempo (11-4) at Newton Abbot 2m 6f (4) gs in Sep.
Ange Des Malberaux (FR) 9-2 (11-12) Mid-division, bumped 1st, not fluent next, headway 9th, went 2nd 4 out until before 2 out, not fluent last, rallied flat, led close home, won at Perth 3m hcp (4) gd in Sep beating Lady London (10-2) by 1/2l, 8 ran.