close-up, pushed in 2nd after 3 out, ridden after 2 out, kept on all the way to the line
close-up, joined leader 4 out, definite advantage before 3 out, pushed after 2 out, ridden after last, always doing enough
led, hung right before 4 out where joined, headed and pushed before 3 out, dropped to rear jumping 2 out, well beaten
midfield, pushed after 3 out, ridden after 2 out, kept on one pace
in rear, raced keenly, minor progress before nudged after 2 out, never a factor
midfield, pushed towards rear before 3 out, ridden after 2 out, stayed on strongly after last
towards rear, raced keenly, progress to sit behind leaders jumping 4 out, pushed in 3rd after 3 out, ridden after 2 out, kept on one pace
in rear, raced keenly, progress to 4th after 3 out, ridden after 2 out, 3rd jumping last, lost a place close home
NonRunner
Temple Man has placed in both starts this season and won at Kelso on this day 12 months ago, though is still 6lb higher. Fort De L'Ocean can race off a lower mark than over fences but is still seeking a first victory over the smaller obstacles. Pop The Cork made a promising reappearance at Warwick and should be winning again soon while Courtland is holding his form well but winning pointer SONG OF THE HUNTER shrugged off a lack of hurdling experience to easily beat a subsequent winner in a maiden at Taunton in the spring and he has the ground in his favour again.
Pop The Cork 14-1 (11-1) Mid-division, effort 3 out, lacked pace to get on terms, kept on flat, 4th of 9, 4 1/2l behind Fransham (11-7) at Wetherby 2m hcp (3) gs in Oct.
Courtland (IRE) 6-1 (10-12) Soon tracked winner until 4 out, ridden next, plugged on same pace, 3rd of 9, 16 1/2l behind Shakem Up'arry (10-12) at Ffos Las 2m (4) sft in Nov.
Temple Man 13-2 (11-7) Chased leaders out wide, mistake 4th, went 2nd 3 out until pushed along approaching next, 3rd and every chance last, no extra run-in, 3rd of 12, 7l behind Floating Rock (11-12) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Fort De L'Ocean (FR) 11-4jfav (11-13) Slightly worse than midfield, progress to almost lead jumping 3 out, just behind leaders 2 out, ridden before last, stayed on strongly, 2nd of 8, 1 1/4l behind Outcrop (11-8) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Lord Of The Rock (IRE) 10-3 (11-6) Raced keenly, tracked front pair, blundered 4 out, soon outpaced, no chance with front pair from next, 3rd of 4, 26 3/4l behind Ettila De Sivola (11-6) at Newcastle 2m hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Authorizo (FR) 6-1 (11-2) Towards rear, shaken up 3 out, no impression, 7th of 12, 19 3/4l behind Valse Au Taillons (11-10) at Warwick 2m 3f hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Barrys Jack (IRE) 7-2 (11-11) Raced keenly in last pair, headway on wide outside 7th, outpaced soon after 3 out, plugging on when mistake next, soon weakened, 8th of 11, 16 1/4l behind At First Glance (11-12) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp (5) gs in Nov.
Officer Drivel (IRE) 16-1 (10-2) Raced keenly in rear, plugged on, never on terms, 6th of 10, 18l behind The Twisler (11-4) at Plumpton 2m hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Song Of The Hunter (FR) 13-2 (11-0) Made all, going best before 2 out, stayed on well, unchallenged, won at Taunton 2m mdn (5) sft in Mar beating Mille Sussurri (11-0) by 1 3/4l, 8 ran.
