tracked leaders, led soon after 5th, headed and weakened before 2 out, tailed off
held up towards rear in touch, ridden on outside when left 4th 2 out, stayed on under pressure run-in, took 2nd final strides, no chance with winner
took keen hold tracking leaders on inside, ridden when stumbled went right and unseated rider 2 out
held up in last pair in touch, closer approaching 5th, closing when left 3rd 2 out, driven before last, kept on same pace run-in
took keen hold, held up in rear in touch, headway travelling well in 2nd 2 out, ridden approaching last, chance when hit last, no extra final 100 yards, lost 2nd final strides
led and disputed until mistake 5th, weakened soon after 3 out, tailed off
led and disputed, chased new leader from 5th, led before 2 out, ridden before last, kept on strongly run-in, driven clear
chased leaders, outpaced 3 out, weakened before next
Nonrunner
KALIFOURCHON is on the upgrade and bids for a hat trick after wins at Southwell and Uttoxeter last time. The weight allowance of Michael Heard negates most of an 8lb rise and the David Pipe runner is preferred to the returning Vicenzo Mio. Slim Pickens should be sharper for a recent comeback run but 2014 winner Little Boy Boru remains 10lb higher than when last winning. Angus Glens still looks high enough in the weights but is usually in the mix while Clondaw Banker could also be thereabouts off his current mark.
Vicenzo Mio (FR) 11-10fav (11-7) Led, headed narrowly between last 2, kept on approaching last, ridden and no impression in 3rd flat, 3rd of 6, 15l behind Le Rocher (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 1f (1) hvy in Jan.
Slim Pickens (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, pushed along before 3 out, kept on same pace, 8th of 16, 8 3/4l behind Towering (10-7) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (3) gs in Oct.
Kalifourchon (FR) 7-4fav (11-2) Tracked leader, led 4 out, clear last, stayed on well, readily, won at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Sep beating Detroit Blues (11-3) by 4l, 6 ran.
Little Boy Boru (IRE) 7-1 (11-2) Well off the pace towards rear, never involved, 5th of 11, 36l behind Lessons In Milan (11-3) at Sandown 2m 6f hcp (3) gs in Mar.
Simply A Legend 5-1 (11-10) Held up behind, headway 4 out, chased leaders next, soon ridden, weakened 2 out, 7th of 13, 35 1/4l behind First Avenue (11-11) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Jun.
Filatore (IRE) 7-2 (11-7) Led until 4th, led again approaching 3 out, ridden before 2 out, headed before last, hung left and one pace under pressure run-in, 2nd of 9, 2 1/4l behind The Eaglehaslanded (11-1) at Chepstow 2m 4f (4) sft in Mar.
Clondaw Banker (IRE) 11-4fav (10-8) Chased leaders, challenged 3 out until last, one pace when not much room 100 yards out, 6th of 11, 9 1/2l behind Old Guard (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Stiff Upper Lip (IRE) 5-1 (11-2) In rear, headway approaching 2 out, not fluent last, kept on well flat, went 3rd towards finish, never nearer, 3rd of 10, 1 3/4l behind First Avenue (11-11) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in May.
Angus Glens 2-1fav (11-5) Tracked leaders, led before 2nd, joined 3 out, mistake next, headed before last, well held by winner flat, 2nd of 7, 10l behind Ascotdeux Nellerie (10-12) at Ludlow 2m (4) gd in Oct.
