made most to 5th and soon driven along to hold place, headway to track leader after 3 out, led 2 out, clear when hit last, hung left flat, driven out
soon well outpaced in rear, eased when no chance after 3 out, mistake next
behind, ridden and struggling 4th, tailed off when pulled up before next
raced wide, chased leaders, led 6th, headed before 2 out where mistake, weakening and no impression when lost modest 3rd flat
in touch, until ridden before 5th, soon struggling and well behind
always behind, tailed off when mistake 2 out, virtually pulled up flat
chased leader to after 2nd, prominent, ridden after 5th, weakened 2 out, finished tired
always behind, tailed off
chased leaders, ridden and outpaced after 6th, plugged on from approaching 2 out, went modest 3rd flat
soon outpaced in mid-division, no chance from 6th
tracked leader after 2nd, led narrowly 5th, headed next, weakening when jumped right 3 out
held up in rear, headway approaching 3 out and soon tracked leaders, chased winner from 2 out, stayed on under pressure flat
The ground should suit Newsplayer, who gets a tentative nod over Better Moment, who is very much respected, while Sunset King shouldn't be underestimated in a race such as this. Grand Prairie and Springer Lad, albeit at a modest level, have also gone well here in the past and are worth noting for signs of each-way support. Springer Lad has endured training set-backs and, having burst a blood vessel on his reappearance, he is obviously not one to trust implicitly. But he is a solid jumper and would give his connections a 'fun day out' if he makes the frame today. Grand Prairie has claims at this level and hails from a yard that have been very profitable to follow at Plumpton. This is his grade and a bold bid cannot be ruled out. The same has to be said of Better Moment, who has a leading chance on the form of his penultimate start. Still, Martin Pipe's charge may need a little more cut in the ground to be seen at his best, so any rain at the track will obviously be a plus for him. Sunset King is a long-standing maiden under both codes and his lack of resilience in a finish has to be a worry for anyone willing to make a speculative punt with him. Nevertheless, it is worth bearing in mind that he made the frame at odds of 100/1 last month and, as this is a similar level, he can figure strongly again this afternoon. However, the vote goes to Newsplayer, who is very lightly raced for a 10-year-old and, as he reverts to hurdles on a fair mark, and the Richard Phillips-trained gelding make the most appeal in a tricky race.
Better Moment (IRE) 5-1 (11-5) Tracked leader 2nd, led 5th, driven and headed between last 2, weakened before last, 3rd of 7, 14l behind Roman Rampage (10-13) at Folkestone 2m 6f sll hcp hdl 0-90 (5) hvy in Jan.
Jug Of Punch (IRE) 33-1 (10-3) Held up, headway approaching 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 6th of 13, 24l behind Ellway Prospect (10-5) at Towcester 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs.
Falmer For All (IRE) 50-1 (10-9) In touch, effort 8th, in touch when pulled up in race won by Master d'Or (10-12) at Plumpton 2m 5f cnd hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gd in Apr, 14 ran.
Grand Prairie (SWE) 6-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway after 6th, ridden after 3 out, hit next, weakened, 4th of 11, 26l behind Borehill Joker (10-7) at Fontwell 2m 2f sll hdl (G) gf in May.
Canni Thinkaar (IRE) 20-1 (10-8) Led to 4th, chased leader until weakened quickly 8th pulled up at the last in race won by Pardon What (11-9) at Folkestone 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gs in Nov, 12 ran.
Newsplayer (IRE) 5-1jt-fav (11-10) Led, hit 3rd, headed next, chased leader to 6th, soon behind, 8th of 12, well behind Loulou Nivernais (10-6) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp chs 0-100 (F) gf in Sept.
Tianyi (IRE) 14-1 (10-0) Chased leaders, hit 9th, weakened next, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Rosetown (10-1) at Ludlow 3m nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in Jan, 16 ran.
Springer The Lad 25-1 (10-5) Always in rear, lost touch after 4th, soon tailed off pulled up at the 6th in race won by Mizinky (9-7) at Fontwell 2m 6f sll hdl (5) gd, 10 ran.
Monsal Dale (IRE) 25-1 (10-1) Took keen hold, held up last, ridden and no impression leaders from 2 out, 7th of 12, 14l behind Honan (11-2) at Folkestone 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Jan.
Grandee Line 20-1 (10-2) Prominent, blundered badly and virtually fell 2nd, soon pulled up at the 2nd in race won by Wizard of Edge (11-4) at Taunton 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Jan, 10 ran.
Alasil (USA) 40-1 (10-13) Led 2nd, ridden and headed 3 out, soon weakened pulled up 2 out in race won by Ishka Baha (11-4) at Wincanton 2m nov hcp hdl 0-95 (F) gd in Dec, 17 ran.
Sunset King (USA) 15-2 (10-3) Prominent, ridden and every chance approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 8th of 16, 13l behind Barella (11-0) at Ludlow 2m sll hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Jan.
