chased leaders, pushed along from 3rd, lost place 5th, ridden after 4 out, weakened next, behind when pulled up before 2 out
prominent early, held up in touch, lost place and towards rear 5th, chased leaders under pressure before 3 out, took 4th after next, kept on, never on terms
tracked leaders, challenged after 3 out, ridden to lead after next, 2 lengths clear last, held on near finish
disputed lead to 3 out, soon ridden and outpaced, no impression from next
disputed lead, led narrowly 3 out, ridden and headed after next, 2 lengths down last, stayed on well closing stages, held near finish
chased leaders to 6th, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
tracked leaders, reminders after 6th, lost place after 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off next, pulled up before last
took keen hold, held up in rear, headway after 5th, chased leaders 3 out, went 3rd next, soon ridden, kept on, not reach front pair
LE ROCHER is also engaged at Cheltenham but this looks a much easier assignment. He appeared to be coming to hand behind Clyne at foggy Haydock last time and is probably the one to beat. Theatrebar made a winning return to hurdling at Sedgefield after a break but has been raised 6lb for that. The Gipper was only beaten a short-head at Hereford last month but the winner has been well beaten since. Vicangelome has his first start for new connections and his first run since April but Shades Of Midnight is starting to come down the weights and could have each-way claims. He makes more appeal than the once-useful Melodic Rendezvous, who is on a long losing run and isn’t getting any younger.
Melodic Rendezvous 16-1 (11-0) Tracked winner until before 3rd, stayed in touch until outpaced 2 out, weakened, 4th of 6, 24 1/2l behind The New One (11-8) at Cheltenham 2m 1f (1) sft in Dec.
Shades Of Midnight 15-2 (11-9) Tracked leaders, one pace from 2 out, 5th of 10, 18 3/4l behind Milborough (10-3) at Carlisle 3m 1f hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Le Rocher (FR) 15-2 (11-9) Prominent when in view after 1st, lost place when in view after 4th, in touch when in view after 4 out, 2nd at finish, 2nd of 9, shd behind Clyne (11-12) at Haydock 2m 3f hcp (2) sft in Dec.
The Gipper (IRE) 3-1fav (11-7) Led until not fluent 2 out, every chance flat, just held, 2nd of 9, shd behind Stamp Your Feet (10-5) at Hereford 2m hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Tintern Theatre (IRE) 10-1 (11-5) Led until 5th, chased leader, led again approaching 3 out, ridden and headed before the last, weakened run-in, 4th of 15, 10 1/2l behind Sneaky Feeling (10-12) at Newbury 2m 3f (4) gs in Dec.
Vicangelome (FR) 3-1fav (11-5) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, slight mistake 3 out, progress to lead before next, strongly pressed last, under pressure and kept on run-in, won at Wexford 2m 4f hcp hvy in Apr beating Go Paddy Go (11-5) by nk, 10 ran.
Forthefunofit (IRE) 33-1 (11-2) Prominent, ridden after 8th, lost place 4 out, 11th of 17, dist behind Shantou Bob (11-11) at Chepstow 3m hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Theatrebar 15-8fav (11-11) Held up towards rear, headway after 3 out, led 2 out, kept on well run-in, won at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Nov beating Karisma King (10-13) by 5l, 11 ran.
