chased leaders, weakened before 2 out
took ken hold, held up in rear, smooth headway approaching 3 out, challenged on outside and every chance 2 out, soon outpaced, rallied approaching last, went 2nd towards finish, not pace to reach winner
held up in touch, headway to 3rd before 2 out, ridden to lead before went left and hit last, stayed on well, driven out
held up in last trio, headway on outside after 6th, weakened soon after 3 out
raced keenly, pressed leader, led 4th, headed 2 out, stayed chasing leader until between last 2, no extra in 4th when mistake last
slight lead, narrowly headed 4th, chased leader until 4 out, weakened before next, tailed off
chased leaders, went 2nd 4 out, pushed along to lead 2 out, ridden and headed before last, no impression when lost 3rd towards finish
chased leaders, lost place 5th, outpaced soon after 3 out, tailed off
took keen hold in rear, weakened 4 out, tailed off
Fakenham fourth Ethics Girl, a winner on the Flat in August, may do better over this extra half-mile while Imperial Leader, second twice in bumpers last year and well backed on both occasions, should make a hurdler. Harvey's Hope sets a decent standard on his victory over C&D in July while point-to-point winners Isthereadifference and Tango In The Night and bumper winner Jeano De Toulouse are also worth a second look, as is Up For An Oscar. BALLYALTON won between the flags a year ago before landing bumpers at Warwick and Doncaster. He beat Kayserberg in the second of those and the runner-up has already scored over hurdles this season so Ian Williams' five-year-old might be good enough to open his account over timber at the first time of asking.
Harvey's Hope 11-8fav (10-12) Tracked leading pair, challenged on inside 6th, hit 3 out, soon led and clear, unchallenged after, won at Southwell 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Jul beating Ivan Vasilevich (11-3) by 18l, 7 ran.
Ballyalton (IRE) 4-6fav (11-9) Held up in touch, smooth headway to track leaders over 4f out, led over 2f out, strongly challenged inside final furlong, just held on, won at Doncaster 2m NH flat (6) gd in Feb beating Kaysersberg (11-6) by nk, 9 ran.
Imperial Leader (IRE) 13-8fav (10-3) Prominent, hung left and lost place over 3f out, rallied over 1f out, ran on to take 2nd inside final furlong, no chance with winner, 2nd of 9, 10l behind Ifyousayso (11-10) at Bangor 2m 1f NH flat (5) gd in Mar.
Isthereadifference (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Led, headed over 3f out, lost 2nd place final furlong, one pace, 3rd of 8, 20l behind Mister W K (11-0) at Ffos Las 2m mdn NH flat (6) sft in Oct.
Nomadic Dreamer 16-1 (10-13) Held up in rear, headway approaching 5th, weaknened before 8th, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Rendl Beach (10-13) at Fontwell 2m 6f mdn hdl (4) gs in Oct, 9 ran.
Tango In The Night 12-1 (11-7) Made virt all; lft wl clr 2 out, won at Thorpe Lodge 3m ptp gd in Apr, 9 ran.
Up For An Oscar (IRE) 12-1 (10-5) Prominent, jumped left at times, ridden after 3 out, went 2nd before last, no impression, edged left flat, soon lost 2nd, stayed on on pace, 3rd of 12, 13l behind Le Bec (10-12) at Kempton 2m 5f nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Ethics Girl (IRE) 12-1 (10-5) Tracked leaders, ridden 2 out, kept on same pace, 4th of 10, 7l behind Makari (10-12) at Fakenham 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Oct.
Musical Surprise 66-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, some headway over 5f out, weakened over 3f out, 9th of 14, 43l behind Cevaro (10-7) at Hereford 2m 1f mrs NH flat (4-7yo) (6) gs.
Jeano De Toulouse (FR) 9-2 (11-3) Led, headed over 4f out, soon weakened, 8th of 10, well behind Ballincurrig (10-12) at Southwell 2m cond NH flat (6) sft in Apr.
