chased leader until 2nd, went 2nd again 4 out until next, weakened soon after
slightly reluctant lining up and led in start, well away, raced keenly in rear, smooth headway out wide going well 3 out, led before the last, joined and bumped run-in, headed towards finish
held up in touch, headway chasing leaders before 2 out, edging left and switched right before last where went 2nd, ridden to challenge and hung left run-in, stayed on to lead towards finish
tracked leaders in 4th, mistake 4 out, outpaced and never dangerous after
tracked leaders and keen, tracked leader 2nd until 4 out, chased leaders, weakened after next
led until headed before the last, lost 2nd at the last, 3rd and one pace run-in
held up in last pair, good headway before 3 out, went 2nd after 3 out, pushed along before next, soon ridden and lost 2nd, weakened between last two
NonRunner
Apart from falling at the first at Newton Abbot last month, Sergeant has done little wrong since returning from a break. But he does have his quirks and Dolly McQueen, who stayed on into fourth behind him at Exeter 11 days ago, is now 8lb better off though never figured at Stratford on Saturday. HACKBRIDGE has placed three times on the Flat this year and again made the frame back over hurdles at Worcester so may be the value, though Blood Eagle only weakened on the run-in last time at Exeter.
Electric Annie (IRE) 18-1 (11-9) Towards rear, hit 2nd, ridden after 6th, pulled up before 2 out, at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp (5) sft in Mar.
Sergeant (FR) 8-11fav (10-9) Held up towards rear, effort and headway before 3 out, went 3rd 2 out, shaken up before last, quickened and led 110 yards out, readily, won at Exeter 2m 1f hcp (5) gf in Oct beating Minella Mojo (11-5) by 2 1/4l, 10 ran.
Hackbridge 8-1 (10-6) Raced mid-division, ridden 3 out, headway 2 out, awkward last, stayed on well but never getting to first two, 3rd of 12, 4 3/4l behind Theocrat (11-12) at Worcester 2m hcp (4) gd in Sep.
Blood Eagle (IRE) 15-2 (10-13) Chased leaders, ridden 2 out, kept on one pace, 5th of 10, 2 3/4l behind Rathnure Ranger (10-5) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp (5) gf in Oct.
O'Rahilly (IRE) 12-1 (10-8) Held up in mid-division, pushed along 11th, plugged on one pace from last, 4th of 9, 10 3/4l behind Lawtop Legend (10-3) at Plumpton 3m 1f hcp (5) gd in May.
Uncle O 10-1 (10-11) Chased leaders, ridden before 4 out, weakened f rom 2 out, 9th of 12, 36l behind Robin Des Mana (11-9) at Worcester 2m hcp (5) gd in Jul.
Uae Soldier (USA) 125-1 (9-9) Always behind, 9th of 11, 25l behind City Tour (11-3) at Windsor 1m 3f hcp (5) gs in Aug.
Dolly McQueen 12-1 (10-11) Held up in rear, headway going well after 2 out, ridden and beaten before last, 7th of 12, 9 1/2l behind Kilchreest Moon (10-11) at Stratford 2m 3f hcp (5) gd in Oct.
