behind, lost touch 4th, stayed on into mid-division after 3 out, never near leaders
tracked leader, led briefly when wandered and headed 3 out, soon ridden and lost place, no impression from next
tracked leading pair, led 3 out, hard pressed next, edged left approaching last, ridden and stayed on flat
mid-division, outpaced 4 out, chased leaders under pressure next, ridden 2 out, stayed on to go 4th towards finish, no impression
led to before 3 out, weakened next
mid-division, mistake 2nd, weakened before 3 out
mid-division, outpaced 4 out, weakened before next, tailed off
tracked leaders, headway 3 out, challenged on outside when not fluent next, kept on and every chance last, ridden and edged left flat, no extra final 110 yards
tracked leaders, outpaced 3 out, weakened before next
tracked leaders, mistake 2nd, chased winner after 3 out, challenged next, every chance when not much room last, ridden and kept on same pace flat
mid-division, outpaced 4th, behind from next, tailed off
mid-division, mistake 4th, headway 3 out, chased trio before next, soon ridden, kept on same pace, no impression when lost 4th towards finish
towards rear, struggling 4th, kept on from 2 out, never near leaders
Nonrunner
This could prove to be an informative contest as several of these have the scope to go on to better things. Close House may just have needed the run when third to Moorland Sunset at Exeter. He had some decent bumper form and looks a better bet than David Pipe's other runner Glassawine. Savant Bleu should prove a lot better than he showed at Warwick and beat today's rival Sunglasses in a bumper at Worcester in May. Frizzo wasn't beaten far when third at Fontwell but Vimiero failed to win in 10 attempts on the Flat, though did go close on a couple of occasions and has now joined a powerful NH yard. CASTLETOWN BRIDGE couldn't justify favouritism at Leicester but the fast ground that day wouldn't have been ideal and he should do better on this stiffer track. Charlie Longsdon's four-year-old can come out on top now.
Bally Gunner 66-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, outpaced from over 4f out, no impression and soon well beaten, 6th of 8, 24l behind Favoured Nation (11-2) at Folkestone 2m 1f NH flat (6) gd in Nov.
Castletown Bridge (IRE) 6-5fav (11-0) Keen prominent, chase clear leader 3rd, ridden and every chance 2 out, hit last, kept on one pace, 2nd of 10, 5l behind Bin End (10-7) at Leicester 2m mdn hdl (5) gd in Nov.
Close House 15-8 (10-12) Chased leaders, mistake 4th, went 3rd approaching 3 out, soon ridden, no impression on leading pair when stumbled badly and rider lost iron briefly 2 out, weakened and went right last, 3rd of 14, 13l behind Moorland Sunset (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) sft.
Downtown Manhattan (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) Took keen hold, prominent in chasing group, weakened over 3f out, 9th of 15, 35l behind Ifyouletmefinish (11-4) at Uttoxeter 2m NH flat (6) gd in Oct.
Freckle Face 7-1 (10-7) Took keen hold, led 1st and set steady pace, 6 lengths ahead 3 out, hung left on bend and reduced lead before next where mistake, wandered under pressure no extra and headed before last, 2nd of 4, 2 1/2l behind Adrenalin Flight (11-5) at Wincanton 2m nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Gingers Reflection 50-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, weakened before 3 out, 4th of 7, 33l behind Darlan (10-12) at Kempton 2m NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) gd in Nov.
Glassawine 2-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders, chased winner from 4th, struggling when not fluent 6th, soon lost 2nd and weakened, tailed off, 3rd of 11, well behind Alla Svelta (11-1) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f mdn hdl (5) gs in Mar.
Midnight Choice 66-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, never on terms, 8th of 13, 14l behind Ace Fighter Pilot (11-0) at Towcester 2m NH flat (6) gd in Nov.
Petit Ecuyer (FR) 15-2 (11-0) Held up mid-division and keen, hit 6th, weakened before 3 out, 12th of 13, well behind Fox Appeal (10-7) at Fontwell 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Savant Bleu (FR) 33-1 (10-12) Took keen hold, held up, some headway after 4 out, weakened bypassing ommited 3 out, 8th of 17, 22l behind So Fine (11-5) at Warwick 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Sunglasses (IRE) 5-2fav (10-11) Tracked leaders, challenged from 3f out, ridden and edged left inside final furlong, stayed on, just held, 2nd of 12, hd behind Savant Bleu (10-11) at Worcester 2m cond NH flat (6) gd in May.
Upton Mead (IRE) 125-1 (10-9) Mid-division, weakened 3 out, 11th of 14, 48l behind Trip The Light (10-12) at Plumpton 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft.
Vimiero (USA) 6-4fav (9-9) Held up, smooth headway on outer entering final 2f, ridden and no impression final furlong, 5th of 12, 2 3/4l behind Art Scholar (9-8) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Oct (flat).
Iconic Rose 25-1 (10-2) Soon pushed along in mid-division, lost place over 6f out, soon weakened, tailed off, 11th of 14, well behind Swincombe Flame (11-0) at Warwick 2m mrs N H flat (5) hvy in Feb.
Carbis Bay 200-1 (10-7) Led, driven and headed approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 8th of 12, 33l behind Tetlami (10-9) at Sandown 2m nov hdl (4) gs.
Frizzo (FR) 11-1 (10-12) Raced on inside, tracked leading trio, went 3rd at 4th, went 2nd before 2 out, lost 2nd approaching last, kept on under pressure flat, 3rd of 8, 1 3/4l behind Financial Climate (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
