led, jumped slow and headed briefly 5th, ridden and headed before last, no extra last 100 yards
tracked leaders, hampered on bend after 4th, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, hampered on bend after 4th, soon lost place, in 4th before 2 out, no impression
with leader on outer, led briefly 5th, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up after 2 out
towards rear, mistake 1st, pushed along 4th, soon struggling, tailed off when pulled up after 6th
tracked leaders, hampered after 4th on bend, soon reminders and lost place, tailed off when pulled up before 6th
in rear, good headway on inner after 4th to track leaders, when 2nd after 3 out until before 2 out, soon weakened
towards rear, headway to go 2nd after 3 out, ridden to lead before last, kept on well towards finish
THE DARLING BOY was a very easy winner on similar ground over fences at Towcester last week. He can race off a 5lb lower mark over hurdles and, though form isn't always translated between the two disciplines, is probably the one to beat here. Irish raider Eagles Benefit had a pipe-opener on the Polytrack recently but her overall form is poor and more interesting is Politelysed, who did at least manage a win at Uttoxeter in March. Blake Dean twice ran behind subsequent Triumph Hurdle winner Countrywide Flame last summer but has never looked like winning and returns from a break here under an inexperienced conditional.
The Darling Boy 5-1 (11-12) Held up mid-division, headway before 7th, went 2nd before 2 out, soon pressed leader, led after 2 out, kept on strongly from last, won at Towcester 2m hcp chs 0-100 (5) gf beating Red Jester (11-6) by 10l, 10 ran.
Blake Dean 9-2 (10-8) Tracked leaders, weakened from 4 out, 6th of 12, 11l behind Arrow Barrow (11-2) at Doncaster 2m nov hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gd in Dec.
Lava Steps (USA) 28-1 (11-0) With leader, went 2nd 3 out, ridden soon after, weakened next, 8th of 14, 25l behind Alba King (10-13) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd.
Eagles Benefit (IRE) 20-1 (10-11) Chased leaders, 10th 4 out, no extra from before straight, 11th of 18, 33l behind Tawrific Laois (10-4) at Thurles 2m 2f hcp hdl 80-95 sft in Nov '10.
Marina Bay 150-1 (10-4) Mid-division, lost place after 5th, soon behind, 12th of 17, well behind Brick Red (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m mdn hdl (5) sft.
Devils And Dust (IRE) 20-1 (12-0) A bhnd; to & pu 14, in a race won by Sportingfriendship (12-0) at Easingwold 3m ptp gs in Apr, 8 ran.
No Way Hozay 14-1 (10-0) Mid-division, headway 3 out, soon weakened, 7th of 10, 23l behind Tartan Tiger (11-5) at Newcastle 3m hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gd in Mar.
Solway Dornal 13-2 (9-13) In rear, headway to tracked leaders 7th, went 2nd before last, kept on, no chance with winner, 2nd of 9, 9l behind Zefooha (11-12) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gd in Sep.
Politelysed 10-1 (10-4) Held up behind, effort 3 out, never dangerous, 7th of 13, well behind Trojan Sun (10-12) at Southwell 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Apr.
