chased leaders, ridden over 4f out, well held by leading pair from over 3f out
held up in rear, always behind, tailed off
led, ridden over 2f out, headed narrowly over 1f out, every chance thereafter, stayed on, just held
mid-division, headway 9f out, ridden over 5f out, weakened over 3f out
took keen hold in rear, ridden 10f out, tailed off 6f out
tracked leaders, went 2nd 9f out, ridden over 2f out, edged left and led narrowly over 1f out, all out
chased leaders, went 2nd after 2f, weakened 7f out, tailed off
mid-division, weakened 9f out, tailed off
held up in rear, effort 8f out, weakened 4f out
took keen hold, tracked leader 2f, in touch after until weakened over 5f out, tailed off
PRICELESS ART landed the odds in good style in a similar event here last week. He looks likely to start a short-price to follow-up but is hard to oppose. Ouest Eclair may give the selection most to think about having gone close over hurdles at Fakenham last month, while Irish Symphony was not beaten far over timber on the turf here earlier this year and could figure on her return to action. Easton Clump has shown little in two starts over hurdles so far but ran much better on his debut in a bumper at Newbury last year and is one to note, along with winning pointer Next Exit.
Easton Clump 33-1 (10-12) Took keen hold in mid division, towards rear when mistake 6th, soon struggling, tailed off, 12th of 16, well behind Golden Chieftain (10-12) at Chepstow 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Erin Dancer (IRE) 50-1 (10-5) Always in rear, struggling from 4 out, last of 8, well behind Carribs Leap (10-12) at Fakenham 2m 4f nh nov hdl (3) gd in Oct.
Jack The Gent (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Led from 1st and keen, headed approaching and not fluent 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 18, 31l behind Palace Jester (10-12) at Wetherby 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Next Exit (IRE) 7-4 (12-0) Rcd 3rd/4th from 8th, prog to disp 3out, ld from next, kow from last, won at Horse And Jockey 3m ire ptp gf in Mar beating Croan Rock (12-0) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
Ouest Eclair (FR) 7-2 (10-9) Held up, headway 5th, ridden to chase winner and every chance 2 out, driven and kept on one pace, 2nd of 8, 1 3/4l behind Venetian Dove (11-7) at Fakenham 2m nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Nov.
Priceless Art (IRE) 8-11fav (11-0) Tracked leaders, smooth headway over 2f out, led well over 1f out, soon quickened clear, hard held, won at Southwell 2m Nat Hunt Flat (4yo+) (AWT) (4) std beating Scotsbrook Cloud (11-0) by 11l, 5 ran.
Sheepclose (IRE) 66-1 (10-5) Held up mid-division and keen, saddle slipped after 3rd, soon pulled up, in a race won by Palace Jester (10-12) at Wetherby 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Nov, 18 ran.
Are Olive 100-1 (10-5) In rear, pushed along after 6th, soon weakened, 7th of 11, well behind Habbie Simpson (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Beau D'argent 25-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, ridden after 5th, never dangerous, 10th of 14, well behind Moscow Mischief (11-0) at Kelso 2m mdn hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Royal Crystal 20-1 (11-7) Led til hdd & wknd rap 14; pu 4 out, in a race won by Kilcascan (12-0) at Whitfield 3m ptp sft in Mar, 13 ran.
Irish Symphony (IRE) 6-1 (11-9) With leader, led approaching 5th, headed approaching next, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened and pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Exulto (11-4) at Southwell 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Apr, 7 ran.
