tracked leader, led 4th, headed before 2 out, ridden and weakened before last, virtually pulled up run-in
held up in rear, blundered 4 out, headway before 2 out, in 4th and one pace before last
held up mid-division and keen, headway before 2 out, soon led, ridden before last, kept on well
tracked leaders, mistake 3 out, ridden before 2 out, soon weakened
held up behind, headway 6th, went 2nd before 2 out, kept on and always held
led to 4th, tracked leader and keen, weakened after 3 out
held up mid-division, ridden and headway before 2 out, went 3rd before last, one pace
tracked leaders in 4th, weakened before 3 out
Barton Antix was only beaten a neck on similar going at Worcester last month. Just 2lb higher, Noel Fehily's mount must have every chance of going one better. Lord Landen, Urban Storm and Truckers Highway are returning from a break but Darnitnev could be interesting as the Uttoxeter third is slowly slipping down the weights. MR MAFIA has shown better form over fences recently but returns to hurdling off a 6lb lower mark than when second at Worcester a month ago and could be the pick of the weights.
Lord Landen (IRE) 8-1 (11-1) Took keen hold, soon tracking leaders, jumped right and bumped rival 6th, closed next, ridden 4 out, weakened before 2 out, 5th of 7, dist behind Fond Memory (11-3) at Worcester 2m 7f hcp (4) gs in May.
Darnitnev 8-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, headway approaching 3 out, stayed on same pace, no chance with winner, 3rd of 12, 8l behind Perseid (10-8) at Uttoxeter 2m 7f hcp (5) gd in Sep.
Barton Antix 9-2fav (11-11) Took keen hold, tracked leader until 4th, not fluent 6th, every chance 2 out, unable to quicken last, stayed on well final 100 yards, went 2nd towards finish, just held, 2nd of 7, nk behind King's Song (11-8) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp (5) gf in Sep.
Urban Storm (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Tracked winner until before 2 out, ridden before last, kept on same pace, 3rd of 12, 15l behind Unknown Legend (11-11) at Southwell 3m hcp (5) gd in May.
Mr Mafia (IRE) 7-2fav (10-9) Mid-division, headway 7th, not fluent next, not fluent 4 out, challenged next, soon led, headed before 2 out, no impression on winner and stayed on same pace flat, 2nd of 7, 6l behind Set List (11-11) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp (4) gf in Sep.
Truckers Highway (IRE) 11-2 (11-7) Led, hard driven when strongly challenged from 3 out, headed before next, held on for 2nd, no chance with easy winner, 2nd of 9, 22l behind Pennies And Pounds (10-7) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp (5) gd in Apr.
Ask A Bank (IRE) 10-1 (11-4) Mid-division, some headway before 3 out, no extra 2 out, 7th of 13, 16 3/4l behind Etania (11-3) at Uttoxeter 2m 7f hcp (5) gd in Sep.
Jackfield 50-1 (10-10) Always towards rear, 7th of 11, dist behind Bennachie (11-2) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp (5) gd in May.
Just Skittles 100-1 (10-12) Soon behind, tailed off 8th, pulled up before 11th, at Worcester 2m 7f (4) gd in Jun.