tracked leader, hit 1st, lost 2nd after 3rd, not fluent 4th, soon pushed along, weakened 3 out
chased leaders, went 2nd after 3rd, led travelling well 2 out, ridden and stayed on flat
chased leaders, went 2nd after 2 out, ridden and stayed on, unable to challenge winner
several exuberant jumps, led, not fluent 2nd, driven after 3 out, mistake and headed 2 out, weakened, lost 3rd close home
jumped left and not always fluent, in rear, headway when blundered badly 3 out, no chance after, went 3rd close home
NonRunner
Cool Macavity hasn’t had much racing lately and last ran over hurdles in May of last year. But he wasn’t disgraced in a decent race on the Flat in August and would have every chance if that has blown away a few cobwebs. Hollywood Road has also had a recent outing on the level but Raven’s Tower, Surf And Turf and Castafiore all have something to prove having been pulled up when last seen on the racecourse. SAILORS WARN won on good to form on his penultimate start at Stratford. He’s gone up another 3lb since beaten at Cartmel next time but still looks the best bet in this.
Hollywood Road (IRE) 9-2 (11-10) Close up, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 9, 6 1/4l behind C'est No Mour (11-6) at Epsom 1m 4f hcp (4) gd in Sep.
Cool Macavity (IRE) 50-1 (9-10) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, never on terms, 6th of 9, 1 3/4l behind Great Sound (9-2) at Newbury 1m 5f hcp (3) sft in Aug.
Raven's Tower (USA) 12-1 (10-5) Soon not going well in rear, behind after 4th, not fluent 6th, tailed off 4 out, pulled up before last, at Aintree 2m hcp (1) gd in Apr.
Surf And Turf (IRE) 7-1 (11-0) Held up, mistake 1st, landed awkwardly 8th, headway 12th, lost place before 2 out, soon weakened, pulled up before last, at Stratford 2m 7f hcp (3) gd in Sep.
Sailors Warn (IRE) 7-2fav (10-2) Held up towards rear, not fluent 4th, 7th before last, never on terms, 6th of 11, 4 3/4l behind Lough Kent (10-4) at Cartmel 2m 1f hcp (2) gs in Jun.
Castafiore (USA) 16-1 (10-13) Mid-division, mistake 4th, lost place next, soon behind, tailed off after 4 out, pulled up before next, at Newbury 2m 3f hcp (2) gs in Mar.