held up in 5th, closer in 4th before 3 out, went 3rd 2 out, ridden and kept on same pace between last 2
held up tracking leaders in 4th, pushed along after 3 out, went 2nd 2 out, no chance with easy winner
led set good pace and went clear after 2nd, reduced lead 7th, headed when mistake 2 out, weakened soon after
always struggling in rear, never a factor
tracked leading pair, 2nd before 7th, led before 2 out, shaken up and went clear between last 2, kept on strongly
chased clear leader until before 7th, chased leaders, weakened approaching 3 out
THEATREBAR won on his return to action and first run for Dan Skelton over course and distance last year when Tomkevi was a well-beaten sixth. He also scored at Ludlow in February and, though 9lb higher today, can win again. Tomkev's recent success at Hexham came over fences while Ink Master and Apterix are better over the larger obstacles. Vancouver won at Uttoxeter in May but has failed to justify market support in both starts since.
Apterix (FR) 33-1 (11-8) In touch, lost place after 3 out, no danger after, 10th of 15, 16 1/4l behind Listen To The Man (10-13) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp lst (1) gd in Sep.
Theatrebar 6-4fav (12-2) Tracked leaders, steadied after 2nd, closed from 4 out, edged right, led and hit 2 out, kept edging right, driven out, won at Ludlow 2m 5f hcp (4) sft in Feb beating Gulshanigans (11-8) by 1 1/4l, 11 ran.
Ink Master (IRE) 28-1 (11-10) Tracked leader, pushed along after 3 out, weakened before last, 3rd of 8, 14l behind Our Kylie (11-1) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Tomkevi (FR) 13-8fav (11-12) Held up in rear, headway 3 out, led before last, clear run-in, won at Hexham 3m hcp (4) gd in May beating Sweet Belle (10-6) by 13l, 4 ran.
Vancouver 6-5fav (11-5) Led until 3 out, lost 2nd before next, chased leading pair, hit last, kept on run-in, 3rd of 7, 6 1/2l behind Arthington (11-5) at Plumpton 2m 2f (4) gd in Sep.
Forty Crown (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, outpaced 5 out, weakened after 3 out, 7th of 10, 23 3/4l behind Too Many Chiefs (10-6) at Kelso 2m 7f hcp (4) gd in Apr.