held up, headway from 9th, one pace and beaten 2 out, went 3rd before last
tracked leader from 2nd, led 4 out, ridden and headed last, held towards finish
jumped right, led, not fluent 1st, clear 3rd, mistake next, reduced lead 5th, reminder after next, mistake and headed 4 out, weakened from 2 out
tracked leader until blundered 2nd, stayed handy, pushed along after 4 out, weakened 2 out
held up, slow 7th, soon outpaced, behind 9th, pulled up before 2 out
held up in 4th, closed 4 out, 2nd 2 out, led last, stayed on
Chestnut Ben has been in good form lately but is starting to climb the weights again and is the senior runner in this. TOLEDO GOLD has a good strike rate over fences and this is his time of year. He also goes well fresh so an absence since October may well be a plus. Vodka Wells had every chance when blundering away his chance at Wetherby last month and is well treated nowadays. Boss Des Mottes has also tumbled down the handicap but Gambol has yet to show much over fences and has been winning sellers lately over hurdles.
Chestnut Ben (IRE) 3-1 (12-1) Soon behind, not fluent 2nd, headway 7th, led after next, clear from 4 out, easily, won at Southwell 2m hcp (4) gd in Apr beating Elkstone (11-8) by 33l, 6 ran.
Vodka Wells (FR) Evensfav (11-6) Led to 2nd, chased leaders, went 2nd before 4 out, challenging and every chance when blundered badly 2 out, saddle slipped, pulled up, at Wetherby 1m 7f hcp (4) gd in Apr.
Toledo Gold (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) Led, clear until 8th, headed 3 out, ridden before last, kept on and held towards finish, 4th of 7, 8 1/4l behind Halcyon Days (10-0) at Ayr 2m hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Boss Des Mottes (FR) 5-2 (11-7) Tracked leaders, weakened after 4 out, 5th of 6, 18l behind Honourable Gent (11-2) at Wetherby 1m 7f hcp (4) gd in Apr.
Gambol (FR) 9-4 (11-5) Tracked leaders, every chance 3 out, weakening when mistake next, modest 3rd, 3rd of 6, 31l behind Ballyrock (11-1) at Fakenham 2m 4f (4) gd in Apr.
Muwalla 5-1 (11-12) Held up in mid-division, headway after 4th, every chance 4 out, stayed on one pace from 2 out, 6th of 10, 10 3/4l behind Gwili Spar (10-0) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp (5) gd in Sep.