held up behind, not fluent 2nd, headway 11th, chased leading pair 2 out, ridden after last, no chance with winner when went 2nd briefly flat, kept on same pace
led to after 3rd, tracked leaders, led again narrowly 7th, headed briefly after 3 out (usual 4 out), ridden and headed before last, weakened into 4th flat
in touch, led after 3rd, headed 6th, lost place and reminders after next, behind from 11th, tailed off
held up in touch, lost place 8th, soon struggling, rallied before 2 out, ridden and stayed on to take 2nd flat, no impression with winner
hampered 1st, tracked leaders, disputed lead after 5th, led 6th to next, with leader, led again briefly after 3 out (usual 4 out), weakened after 2 out, tailed off
tracked leaders, went 2nd before 2 out, led before last, clear flat, ridden out, stayed on well
in touch on inside when fell 1st
held up in touch, ridden and lost place after 3 out (usual 4 out), soon behind, tailed off
in touch on outside, lost place 3 out (usual 4 out), soon weakened, tailed off
It's more than two years since Long Lunch was last in the winner's enclosure but he was a consistent sort over hurdles who should handle the switch to fences. Others, however, look better treated in this including BILBROOK BLAZE. Lightly raced in bumpers and over hurdles, a recent third off this mark over the smaller obstacles at Ascot gave notice that he's now ready to get his head in front. Cloudy Beach had fair form in points so looks a likely type for fences, though lacks a recent run. Dancing Shadow possibly found 3m too far at Exeter so is another to consider but Handazan has become disappointing and Dusky Lark is Flat-bred so best watched.
Dusky Lark 50-1 (11-5) Always towards rear, reminders and struggling before 3 out, never involved, 12th of 17, dist behind Theinval (11-11) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp (2) gd in Mar.
Long Lunch 7-2fav (11-5) Tracked leaders in 3rd, ridden before last, kept on same pace, 4th of 8, 10l behind Baby King (11-2) at Haydock 2m hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Handazan (IRE) 14-1 (11-4) Led until 15th, weakened before 4 out, soon pulled up, at Wetherby 3m (4) sft in Oct.
Dancing Shadow (IRE) 11-1 (10-11) Led after 1st, headed after 3rd, led 7th, headed before next, one pace 3 out, no extra last, 4th of 9, 11 3/4l behind Wizards Bridge (10-10) at Exeter 3m hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Money Talks 25-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders, pushed along in 3rd 3 out until next, weakened between last two, finished tired, 4th of 5, dist behind Calipto (11-3) at Fontwell 2m 3f (4) gs in Oct.
Antony (FR) 12-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, weakened before 2 out, 12th of 15, 35 3/4l behind Masterplan (11-2) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Bilbrook Blaze 16-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, 2nd after 3 out until before next, hit 2 out, plugged on same pace in 3rd, 3rd of 15, 10l behind Masterplan (11-2) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Cloudy Beach (IRE) 25-1 (10-5) Tracked clear leader, close up 6th, led 2 out, driven and headed last, weakened flat, 7th of 10, 16l behind Morito Du Berlais (10-11) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Like Sully (IRE) 10-1 (10-6) Led until after 3 out, weakened next, 4th of 8, 15 1/2l behind Rock Of Leon (11-5) at Lingfield 2m 3f hcp (3) hvy in Nov.
