tracked leaders on inside, awkward at 6th, dropped to rear after 8th, left modest 4th next, went poor 3rd before the last
wore ear plugs, jumped right at times, tracked leader, led 9th, went right and headed 2 out, soon outpaced and no chance with easy winner
raced keenly in close 3rd, left 2nd at 9th, led 2 out, soon clear, easily
held up last, gained a place at 8th, left 3rd next, outpaced and struggling 2 out, weakened into 4th before mistake last
led, already headed when fell 9th
NonRunner
A cracking little heat with all six arriving in good or winning form. LINE OF DESCENT has a 7lb penalty for a smooth Southwell success just over a week ago and is clearly in great heart having landed three of his last four starts. He's also proving a model of consistency and gets on well with Sean Bowen. He's worth sticking with at present although this looks a trickier assignment than last time. Opening Bid has scored on three of his last six starts and seeks a hat-trick after a cosy Newton Abbot victory. He should go well again. Go Fox is another hat-trick seeker and is not discounted despite this rise in class but the main danger could prove to be Lakefield Flyer. A line can be easily struck through his most recent start and previous runs in Ireland give him every chance with Brian Hughes booked.
Line Of Descent (IRE) 15-8fav (11-9) Tracked leader, led 9th, ridden clear 2 out, comfortable, won at Southwell 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Jun beating Glajou (11-9) by 12l, 6 ran.
Lakefield Flyer (IRE) 7-2 (11-0) Got loose before start, chased leader, led before 3rd, soon clear, reduced lead 6th, 2l ahead 3 out, soon headed and driven, tailed off 2 out, 3rd of 4, 23 1/2l behind Feel The Pinch (11-7) at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 1f hcp (4) gd in Jun.
Opening Bid 8-11fav (11-13) Chased leaders, hit 5th, went 2nd at 9th, pushed along and led after 3 out, kept on well, readily, won at Newton Abbot 2m hcp (5) gd in Jun beating Princess Midnight (11-9) by 4 3/4l, 5 ran.
Holerday Ridge (IRE) 4-5fav (12-0) Chased winner, hit 7th, not fluent 9th, lost 2nd after 4 out, weakened, 3rd of 5, 33l behind Abaya Du Mathan (11-10) at Ffos Las 2m 3f hcp (5) gd in Jun.
Go Fox 5-2fav (11-2) Made all, challenged from 4 out, pushed along after 2 out, forged away approaching last, kept on well run-in, readily, won at Stratford 2m 1f hcp (5) gd in Jun beating Famoso (10-6) by 3 3/4l, 8 ran.
First Angel (FR) 6-4fav (12-0) Led until 5th, in front again after next, hit 8th, headed 4 out, chased winner, ridden before next, soon well held, 2nd of 6, 12l behind Captain Ivan (11-13) at Southwell 2m hcp (4) gd in Jun.