tracked leaders, went close 2nd when left well clear 3 out, eased towards finish
prominent, led after 5th, headed and pushed along 8th, pushed along after 11th, led after 12th, headed 4 out, lost 2nd then brought down 4 out
in touch in rear, pecked slightly 1st, not fluent 8th, ridden after 12th, no impression in last before 4 out, left remote 2nd 3 out, no chance with winner
led until after 5th, led 8th, headed after 12th, soon ridden, led 4 out, narrow lead when fell 3 out
Kim Bailey has his string in tip top form at present so Haydock winner BROOMFIELD PRESENT may be capable of making match fitness count in a contest that has attracted a small but select field. Autonomous Cloud has won when fresh in the past but it will be no easy task for the course and distance winner to give weight away all round. Winning point-to-pointer and hurdler Step Above proved a little disappointing when favourite for a Hexham novices' handicap while Farmer's Gamble is tried in cheekpieces having flopped at Warwick earlier in the month.
Autonomous Cloud (IRE) 15-2 (11-2) Chased leaders, hampered 2nd, went 2nd 10th, challenged 4 out, led 2 out, edged slightly right flat, bumped 2nd slightly close home, held on, won at Uttoxeter 3m hcp (2) sft in Mar beating Iron Bridge (12-0) by hd, 10 ran.
Broomfield Present (IRE) 7-2jfav (11-11) Chased leaders, pushed along and outpaced turning in, rallied and went modest 3rd last, no chance with leading do, 3rd of 12, 2 1/4l behind Make Me A Believer (11-8) at Exeter 3m hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Step Above (IRE) 5-4fav (11-10) Close up, led 3rd, headed before 5th, pushed along when not fluent 2 out, ridden before last, no extra run-in, 3rd of 5, 5 1/2l behind Universal Folly (11-10) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Oct.
Farmer's Gamble 11-2 (12-0) Towards rear, reminders before 12th, mistake 13th, soon ridden, plugged on into 3rd 3 out, well behind when slow jump and pulled up after 2 out, at Warwick 3m hcp (4) sft in Nov.
