led, ridden and headed before last, stayed on same pace flat, no impression on winner
took keen hold, held up, closed 4th, ridden when not fluent 2 out, one pace before last, no extra and lost 2 places flat
tracked leader, not fluent 6th, led before last, edged left and ran on well to draw clear flat
tracked leaders, jumped left at times, not fluent 6th, ridden 2 out, edged left and stayed on one pace before last
tracked leaders, on inside, last 4th, outpaced when not fluent 2 out, switched right before last, kept on, no impression
Bumper winner Deise Diamond was due to contest a Uttoxeter maiden hurdle yesterday and would carry a penalty here if successful. Utility was well supported for a Grade 2 bumper at Aintree in April after making a winning debut in that sphere. He finished tailed off but is much better than that and could easily score over hurdles at the first time of asking. But we'll stick with the penalised DEBECE, who romped home at Kempton in May and looks highly progressive - Alan Johns' claim will aid his cause here. Ballyandrew is bred for jumping but has his first run in almost a year.
Debece 9-2 (10-12) Tracked leaders, led 2 out, clear before last, won at Kempton 2m (4) gd in May beating Le Capricieux (10-12) by 8l, 15 ran.
Ballyandrew (IRE) 11-4 (11-2) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 4f out, led over 2f out, edged left and headed over 1f out, soon edged right and one pace, weakened final furlong, 5th of 7, 16 1/4l behind Samson (11-2) at Towcester 1m 6f mdn (6) gf in Oct.
Hag Stone 50-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, kept on after 2 out, no impression, 3rd of 12, 29l behind Tahira (10-12) at Warwick 2m (4) gd in Sep.
Saint Cajetan (FR) 9-1 (10-12) Held up mid-division, ridden and weakened over 2f out, 5th of 7, 22 3/4l behind Happy Hollow (11-8) at Market Rasen 2m 1f (6) gd in May.
Utility (GER) 4-1 (11-4) In touch on outside, driven over 3f out, weakened 2f out, tailed off, 14th of 17, dist behind Bacardys (11-4) at Aintree 2m 1f (1) gs in Apr.
Deise Diamond (IRE) 4-5fav (11-2) Chased clear leader, closed 5f out, led 2f out, ridden 1f out, stayed on, won at Fontwell 2m 2f (6) gf in Aug beating Jezzebelle (10-8) by 1/2l, 4 ran.