held up, in rear, ridden and modest headway when mistake normal 3 out, weakened after next
tracked leader until after 6th, ridden and weakened after normal 2 out
took keen hold, led, clear until after 6th, headed and weakened after normal 2 out
held up, not fluent 4th, mistake next, soon lost place, well beaten from 6th
tracked leaders, 2nd after 6th, every chance after normal 2 out, no impression on winner from bypassed last
held up, in rear, hit 4th, headway normal 3 out, outpaced after next, stayed on from bypassed last to close on 2nd, no impression on winner
held up, ridden 6th, closed next, not fluent normal 2 out, led before next bend, hung left approaching bypassed last, soon clear, comfortbaly
LOSTOCK HALL steps out of novice company for the first time but has already won twice, including once over course and distance. There are question marks hanging over most of his rivals including Vivas, who has already been beaten three times off lower marks in handicaps. Restraint of Trade has run poorly on the Flat this year and hasn't raced over hurdles since July 2015 while Diamond Rock showed nothing in three quick runs in March. Hill Fort is still 10lb higher than when winning at Chepstow in April.
Hill Fort 16-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders, went 2nd approaching 3 out, lost place next, no impression with front pair before last, weakened flat, 5th of 10, 22 1/4l behind Banyu (11-5) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp (3) gd in Apr.
Lord Ben (IRE) 22-1 (11-12) Led, pushed along approaching 3 out, ridden when blundered and headed 2 out, not recover and lost 2nd, weakened into 4th last 110 yards, 4th of 6, 17 1/4l behind Workbench (11-4) at Fontwell 2m 1f hcp (2) gd in Sep.
Restraint of Trade (IRE) 20-1 (8-12) Raced keenly, went 2nd after 3f, pushed along over 4f out, ridden 4f out, soon lost 2nd, weakened quickly over 3f out, 7th of 8, 24 1/4l behind Lord Ben Stack (9-12) at Haydock 1m 4f hcp (3) gd in Sep.
Lostock Hall (IRE) 5-4 (11-5) Chased leaders, headway to lead 2nd, hampered by loose horse before 4th, ridden approaching last, ran on, won at Exeter 2m 1f (4) gf in Oct beating Lucky Diva (10-5) by 1 1/4l, 5 ran.
Vivas (FR) 7-2fav (11-10) Took keen hold, chased leaders, went 2nd on inside approaching 2 out where mistake, ridden and one pace before last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 11, 6l behind Wildmoor Boy (10-0) at Warwick 2m 5f hcp (4) gd in Sep.
Mahlers Star (IRE) 33-1 (11-12) Raced keenly, chased winner until approaching 7th, chased leaders, weakened quickly after 3 out, eased, 10th of 11, dist behind Wildmoor Boy (10-0) at Warwick 2m 5f hcp (4) gd in Sep.
Diamond Rock 12-1 (11-0) Chased leading pair, weakening when hit 2 out, soon struggling, 6th of 7, 24l behind Vive Le Roi (11-0) at Bangor 2m 1f (4) sft in Mar.
