chased leaders, led 3 out, drew clear after next, ran on strongly
led until 3 out, soon under pressure, weakened before last
mid-division, lost place before 3rd, soon beaten
in touch, ridden and weakened before 3 out
tracked leader, outpaced approaching 3 out, stayed on approaching last, never able to challenge
mid-division, headway 3 out, weakened next
behind, headway approaching 2 out, stayed on under pressure, never troubled leaders
prominent, every chance 3 out, soon hard ridden, soon hard ridden and weakened, fell last
behind, mistake 3rd, weakened before 3 out
mid-division, headway 3 out, chased winner next, ridden and effort approaching last, kept on under pressure
tracked leaders, took keen hold, lost place before 3 out
David Pipe runs Enfant Du Lune and Laustra Bad in this. The latter is probably more effective over hurdles nowadays and looks the pick but he has to give 12lb to TRIP THE LIGHT. Phil Middleton's gelding is well suited by soft ground and looked to be on the way back when fourth at Huntingdon 11 days ago. First-time blinkers can help him back into the winner's enclosure here. McCoy partners the lightly-raced Natural High, who did well to beat Prompter at Worcester earlier this month, and he rates a big danger but the market should be monitored regarding the chances of Harry Hunt, Moorland Sunset and Grafite, who all return from a lay-off. A Little Swifter and Old Way may also need this.
Harry Hunt 20-1 (10-8) Always towards rear, never a factor, 11th of 17, 47l behind Gibb River (11-7) at Sandown 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-145 (2) sft in Apr.
Enfant De Lune (FR) 9-4fav (11-5) Chased leaders, outpaced 4 out, no chance after, 4th of 8, 18l behind Sizing Santiago (11-2) at Newton Abbot 2m 5f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Sep.
Laustra Bad (FR) 7-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 10th until next, outpaced 4 out, weakened before next, tailed off, 5th of 11, 48l behind Basoda (11-9) at Kempton 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd.
Moorland Sunset 100-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, reminders before 3 out, soon weakened, 16th of 18, well behind Ambion Wood (11-12) at Sandown 2m 4f NH Novice Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3) (4-7yo) (1) gs in Mar.
Grafite 4-1 (10-7) Chased leader until 4th, lost place and behind when blundered badly 9th, no chance after, went modest 3rd 2 out, no chance when fell last, in a race won by Domtaline (11-5) at Stratford 2m 4f nov chs (4) gd in May, 6 ran.
A Little Swifter (IRE) 25-1 (10-7) Held up, headway on inside 2 out, every chance approaching last, no extra towards finish, 5th of 11, 7l behind Kells Belle (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m 5f mrs lst hdl (1) sft in Apr.
Scottish Boogie (IRE) 10-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, still going ok when awkward 2 out, soon beaten, 19th of 22, 45l behind Dark Lover (10-7) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (3) gs.
Natural High (IRE) 14-1 (11-6) Chased leaders, challenged 2 out, led last, stayed on well, won at Worcester 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gd beating Prompter (11-11) by 2 1/4l, 10 ran.
Salpierre (IRE) 20-1 (10-6) In touch, hit 7th, pushed along before next, soon lost place, tailed off, 13th of 17, 33l behind Kitegen (10-8) at Chepstow 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft.
Trip The Light 33-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, not fluent 1st, ridden and headway on outside 3 out, jumped right and bumped last, stayed on flat, 4th of 13, 6l behind Drumlang (10-10) at Huntingdon 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd.
Old Way (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) Held up in last trio, headway 4 out, went 4th and jumped left 3 out, left 3rd and hampered soon after, one pace, 3rd of 9, 21l behind Azulada Bay (11-7) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Jun.
