front mid-division, effort and headway into 3rd 4 out, pushed along before omitted 2 out, ridden well before last, not pace to get on terms with front pair
close up, led before omitted 2 out, shaken up and joined last, outjumped rival and went a length up run-in, ridden out, stayed on but headed on line
towards rear, struggling from 4 out
prominent, lost place quickly and ridden 4 out, soon beaten
towards rear, gradually got detached and pulled up before 10th
mid-division, headway into 4th 4 out, ridden well before last, headway to join leader last, outjumped and 1 length down run-in, ridden out and ran on well to lead on line
mid-division, not fluent 10th, dropped to rear but in touch 5 out, ridden after 3 out, stayed on from omitted 2 out, never threatened
mid-division, went 5th 3 out, ridden before omitted 2 out, kept on one pace
led, jumped right at times, ridden and headed before omitted 2 out, gradually faded
tracked leaders, lost place 12th, ridden and faded before 3 out
BARON DE MIDLETON was carrying overweight when chasing home the odds-on Minella Trump here last month. He effectively races off a 5lb lower mark today so can go one better. Da Vinci Hand was second at Uttoxeter in June on his chasing bow and Barnay looks the type to do well over fences. Heartbreak Kid has won twice here over hurdles but disappointed over the larger obstacles last season after a second at Carlisle. Enfin Phil won three times over timber but Irish import Chesterville may be best of the rest, though Sounds Russian’s lack of pace may not be as evident now tackling fences.
Heartbreak Kid (IRE) 15-8 (11-0) Tracked leader, slow 3rd, reminder after 12th, distant 2nd when ridden after 3 out, kept on one pace behind easy winner, 2nd of 4, dist behind Return Ticket (11-10) at Sedgefield 2m 3f (4) gd in Mar.
Baron De Midleton (IRE) 5-2 (10-3) Held up in touch, ridden into second 3 out, ran on, 2nd of 4, 5 1/2l behind Minella Trump (11-0) at Sedgefield 2m 3f hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Arthur Mac (IRE) 12-1 (11-7) Held up in rear, in touch 3 out, well beaten from next, 5th of 6, dist behind Bavington Bob (10-11) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Frimeur De Lancray (FR) 33-1 (11-2) Mid-division, not fluent 4th and dropped to rear, left behind 4 out, last of 6, dist behind Faivoir (11-2) at Uttoxeter 2m (3) gs in Oct.
Enfin Phil (FR) 15-2 (11-0) Made all, not fluent 2 out, clear flat, stayed on, won at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in May beating Kalahari Queen (11-6) by 2l, 6 ran.
Cooper's Cross (IRE) 13-2 (11-12) Towards rear, slow jump 3 out, soon left behind, last of 6, 11 1/4l behind Crack Du Ninian (11-9) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp (4) gs in Oct.
Sounds Russian (IRE) 7-4 (11-0) Raced keenly chasing leaders, went 2nd before 2 out where every chance, chased winner after turning in, stayed on same pace and well held, 2nd of 7, 7l behind Mr Jackman (11-0) at Hexham 2m 4f mdn (4) sft in Oct.
Da Vinci Hand (IRE) 28-1 (10-7) Held up rear of mid-division, raced keenly, headway 4 out, not much room after 2 out, no impression on leaders, 5th of 8, 6l behind Flight Deck (11-12) at Wetherby 3m hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Chesterville (IRE) 5-4 (11-6) Tracked leader in 2nd throughout, took keen hold, close 2nd and bumped leader at 6th, ridden before 2 out, no impression on winner when slight mistake at last, kept on same pace, 2nd of 4, 2 1/4l behind Tisadream (11-6) at Tramore 1m 7f gd in Oct.
Barnay 7-2 (11-5) Tracked leader until 4th(usual 5 out), tailed off, 6th of 7, dist behind Made For You (11-3) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp (4) gd in Apr.
