led until 2nd, tracked leader, led when not fluent 3 out, headed before 2 out, soon beaten
held up in rear, headway 3 out, led before 2 out, went clear briefly, went left at hurdle and baulked, headed before last, stayed on same pace flat
tracked leaders, 3rd and ridden 2 out, stayed on same pace
mid-division, headway before 2 out, one pace and no impression on leaders
held up in rear, headway after 3 out, went 2nd when mistake 2 out, soon hampered, led before last, driven out
tracked leaders, not fluent 2nd, ridden after 3 out, weakening when mistake 2 out
tracked leader, led 2nd, not fluent 5th, headed when not fluent 3 out, weakened before 2 out
tracked leaders on inside, ridden and weakened before 5th, pulled up before 2 out
tracked leaders, ridden and lost place after 3 out
held up towards rear, mistake 3 out, soon weakened
Recent winners Vexillum and Bulletproof go on the short-list here with the former preferred of that pair. The latter appears to have the beating of Hold The Fort on their run together at Fontwell last month and it's difficult to fancy Mix N Match from 4lb out of the handicap. Better was expected of BUMBLE BAY at Uttoxeter last time but he raced with the choke out and weakened on the turn for home. Robert Stephens' bumper winner could recoup losses if settling better in what looks a modest handicap.
Bertie Moon 18-1 (9-9) In rear, well beaten final 4f, 8th of 10, 13l behind Our Queenie (9-7) at Chepstow 1m hcp (5) gf in Sep.
Bumble Bay 7-2fav (11-12) Chased leaders, closed 4th, one pace before 2 out, soon weakened, 5th of 9, dist behind Cruise In Style (11-6) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp (5) gd in Sep.
Hold The Fort (IRE) 5-1 (11-6) Mid-division, not fluent 1st, headway after 5th, not fluent 3 out, every chance next, stayed on same pace flat, 3rd of 8, 3 1/4l behind Gin And Tonic (11-5) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp (5) gd in Sep.
Vexillum (IRE) 11-2fav (10-10) Held up towards rear, headway before 2 out to chase leaders, challenged last, ridden to lead run-in, kept on, won at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp (5) gf in Sep beating Carnaross (11-0) by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.
Bulletproof (IRE) 5-1fav (10-11) Held up in rear, headway before 2 out, ridden to challenge between last 2, led last, kept on, won at Newton Abbot 2m 1f hcp (5) gd in Sep beating Sweet World (11-4) by 1 1/4l, 11 ran.
Ordensritter (GER) 9-4fav (11-3) Mid-division, pushed along before 2 out, soon weakened, 5th of 7, 16 1/2l behind Follow The Tracks (11-12) at Taunton 3m hcp (5) gd in Apr.
Surprise Us 25-1 (10-6) Took keen hold, led, well clear before 2nd, jumped slowly 4th, reduced lead before 3 out, mistake at hurdle, soon headed and weakened, last of 9, dist behind Western Goose (11-12) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp (5) gf in Sep.
East Hill 16-1 (10-0) Tracked leader, ridden and weakened before 2 out, last of 8, dist behind Frozen Over (11-4) at Wincanton 2m hcp (4) gf in Apr.
Miss Lamorna (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) In rear, pushed along 5 out, soon pulled up and dismounted, at Taunton 3m hcp (5) gf in Apr.
Mix N Match 5-1 (10-0) Held up in rear, headway before 3 out, not much room when challenging 2 out, soon led, headed last, no impression on winner and lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 7, 3 3/4l behind King's Song (11-8) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp (5) gf in Sep.