held up in rear, headway over 4f out, went 2nd 3f out, one pace over 1f out, no impression
held up towards rear, struggling over 4f out, stayed on final 2f, nearest finish
made most until headed over 4f out, weakened over 2f out
held up in rear, always behind, tailed off
soon chased leaders, went 2nd 7f out until 3f out, weakened over 2f out, soon hung left and beaten
held up in rear, some headway 6f out, weakened over 2f out
towards rear, headway under pressure over 2f out, plugged on final 2f
close up, went 3rd on inside over 2f out, no impression on leading duo, weakened to 4th towards finish
in touch, pushed along 8f out, lost place and towards rear over 6f out, poor 10th approaching straight, stayed on under pressure final 2f, went modest 3rd towards finish
mostly chased leader until 7f out, weakened over 4f out
chased leaders, led going well on inside 4f out, pushed along and ran on well final furlong, comfortably
Midnight King, Perazzi George and Cresswell Melody were all placed first-time out. The former arguably has most scope for improvement but has been off the track since last May. Gilzean is a full brother to winning hurdler Jimmy The Saint, while the Classic Cliché gelding Fitobust could make a hurdler in time. But the one to be on here may be EMPEROR'S CHOICE, who hails from a yard in terrific form. Brother to a winning hurdler, he cost connections £33,000 as a three-year-old and is closely related to smart chasers Our Vic and Siegemaster.
Fitobust (IRE) Classic Cliche gelding out of Noan Rose.
Generous Spender 50-1 (10-7) Bucked at start, soon well tailed off, last of 12, well behind Mintiverdi (11-0) at Kempton 2m Nat Hunt Flat (4-6yo) (AWT) (6) std in Dec.
Gilzean (IRE) Flemensfirth gelding out of Sheknowso.
Lisscow Lad (IRE) Moscow Society gelding out of Lisselan Lass.
Midnight King 4-1fav (10-12) Tracked leaders, took keen hold, not clear run 2f, chased winner over 1f out, soon ran green and wandered both ways, lost 2nd inside final furlong, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 12, 4 1/2l behind Ben Cee Pee M (11-2) at Towcester 2m mdn NH flat (5) gf in May.
Perazzi George (IRE) 50-1 (11-5) Held up, headway over 4f out, ridden and pressing leaders over 2f out, switched left 1f out, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 10, 6l behind Russe Blanc (10-7) at Warwick 2m nhf (6) hvy in Jan.
Blue Lovell (FR) 25-1 (10-7) In touch, pushed along and outpaced halfway, plugged on final 2f, 4th of 8, 24l behind Violin Davis (10-12) at Fontwell 1m 6f N H flat (6) gd in Oct.
Miss Bolte 20-1 (10-4) Tracked leader 3f, in touch until weakened over 3f out, 5th of 10, 46l behind Pere Blanc (11-2) at Kempton 2m mdn NH flat (4) gd in Mar.
Emperor's Choice (IRE) Flemensfirth gelding out of House-of-hearts.
Queen's Pawn (IRE) 100-1 (10-8) Always in rear, pushed along halfway, struggling soon after, tailed off, last of 11, well behind Tour D'argent (10-12) at Newbury 1m 4f 4yo nhf (6) sft in Jan.
Cresswell Melody (IRE) 6-1 (10-1) Led until over 4f out, rallied to lead again over 3f out, headed over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 3rd of 5, 3l behind Genstone Trail (11-5) at Ffos Las 2m Mares Nat Hunt Flat (3-5yo) (6) sft in Dec.
Keara 33-1 (10-13) Towards rear, remiders 10f out, soon struggling, tailed off, 11th of 12, well behind Madame Allsorts (11-2) at Folkestone 2m 1f mrs NH flat (4-7yo) (6) hvy in Jan.
